By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
August 29, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois will be without sophomore tailback Josh McCray for its Big Ten Conference opener at Indiana.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Monday in his weekly media conference that the Illini’s second-leading rusher from last season will be inactive after suffering a right knee injury in the 38-6 win over Wyoming this past Saturday.
On a five-yard carry late in the third quarter last weekend, McCray was unable to get off the Memorial Stadium and training staff had to help the 240-pound tailback from Enterprise, Ala. to the sidelines as McCray was unable to put any weight on his right foot. Following the 32-point victory on Saturday, McCray was seen leaving the stadium on crutches but Bielema said Monday he was still waiting for further results from medical testing to assess any potential length of the tailback’s absence.
“Josh McCray, I know he won't be with us this week," Bielema said. "I just don't know the long-term prognosis to where he's at.”
In a backup role to Chase Brown, who was named co-Big Ten Conference Player of the Week, McCray finished the blowout win on Saturday with 33 yards rushing on eight carries along with two receptions for seven yards.
Indiana will be opening its 2022 season with a new defensive coordinator (Chad Wilt) after the Hoosiers finished eighth in the Big Ten in stopping the run by surrendering 148 yards per game on the ground.
When Illinois (1-0) travels for its first game at Indiana (Friday, 7 p.m. CST, FS1) since 2013, the Illini tailback depth chart will obviously be led by Brown but then there’s a debate to the backup spot as Bielema made a point to get 16 total snaps of action between senior Chase Hayden and sophomore Reggie Love III.
“I think any game where I’ve gone into as a head coach, you need three (tailbacks),” Bielema said.
Love’s 46 yards on three carries was highlighted by a 33-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter when he rolled over the top of a defender but never touched the ground so got up and finished his first career score at Illinois. Hayden, who has played for Bielema at both Arkansas and Illinois, finished with 28 yards on seven carries against Wyoming and Illinois fans might be getting its first look at freshman Aidan Laughery after the former three-star signee sat out last Saturday’s game with what team officials classified as “a soft tissue” injury.
Bielema added on Monday that freshman wide receiver Shawn Miller ais awaiting tests after suffering an unspecified injury but said no other player who left the game will be inactive against the Hoosiers on Friday night.
B1G Football Predictions Show & Illini Hoops Recruiting Update #393
ListenSept 6 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4 Ep 4
ListenSept 6 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4 Ep 4
ListenKed's Recruiting Roundup - Destiny Jackson & Her Mom Talk with Kedric
ListenKansas Jayhawks vs Illinois Fighting Illini Football Preview with Henry Greenstein #392
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys - Kansas vs Illini - Finebaum vs Kelly - Penn State's Kotelnicki Next Big Head Coaching Hire?
ListenAug 30 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4 Ep 3
ListenAug 30 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4 Ep 3
ListenIllini 45 EIU 0 with Matt Stevens & Kedric Prince #391
ListenInstant Take - Illini Win 45-0 Over EIU #390
ListenEastern Illinois Panthers vs Illini Football Preview #389
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini Football Preview - Defense, Special Teams & Predictions #388
ListenAug 23 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4 Ep 2
ListenAug 23 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4 Ep 2
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini Football Preview - the Offense #387
Listen