Lunney Jr. on Illini Short-Yardage Fails vs. UAB: ‘You’ve seen those work’

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. says he regrets the execution and not necessarily the play calls that led to stalled drives vs. UAB.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 9, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — When Barry Lunney Jr. got down to the field level at halftime, his boss knew he didn’t need to ask his offensive play-caller many details about the first 30 minutes of action.

Lunney Jr. typically scripts the first 15 plays of the game for the Illinois offense barring any unique down-and-distance situations that could pop up, which is a behavior nearly . . .

 

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