![]() Those numbers are a massive improvement for a program that hasn't seen a quarterback surpass 2,000 passing yards in a season since Wes Lunt threw for 2,761 yards in 2015.Įlliott has a talented quarterback and capable receivers, but the Cavaliers will need to improve along its offensive line throughout the season to compete in the ACC. "Any way shape or form, I have to find a way to give the team a chance to move the ball and keep the sticks moving on third down," DeVito said.ĭeVito has completed 67% of his passes for 622 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions through three games. “We want to put out a fire and they did that exact deal.”Ĭaleb Griffin tacked on a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter for Illinois.ĭon't look now, but Illinois might finally have a capable quarterback after cycling through mediocre and subpar talent at the position over the last decade. “When we threw that first pick, to me, that's a defensive opportunity,” Bielema said. “What else could you ask for?”īielema credited his defense for standing up the Cavaliers when put in some precarious positions. “Defense gave us the ball in plus territory twice," Armstrong said. Virginia gained 11 yards on two drives that started in Illinois territory after takeaways. The defense bailed Illinois out repeatedly as Ryan Walters’ crew allowed just three points off four first-half turnovers. Illinois converted on 5 of 14 third-down attempts and out-gained Virginia by 172 yards. “I also said last week, especially after halftime of the (Richmond win) offensively, ‘Don’t look at the stats.' We have a lot of room to improve, we've got to get better and can we handle success? Offensively, we did not handle success well.”īailey and safety Kendall Smith intercepted Armstrong twice in the fourth quarter to halt a pair of Virginia drives. “Hopefully this will be the catalyst that sparks us to make sure that we don't take anything for granted,” Elliott said. Virginia's Tony Elliott shouldered the blame for a “rough day at the office” in his first loss and first road trip as a head coach. “They just flat out beat us on every one-on-one, that's all I can really say,” Armstrong said.Ĭavaliers running backs combined for 42 rushing yards on 29 carries.īrendan Farrell put Virginia ahead in the first quarter with a 42-yard field goal for the Cavaliers' lone score. He threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-14 win against the Illini in 2021. Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong struggled to find his receivers, completing just 13 of 32 passes for 180 yards with two interceptions. “Running, looking at all the fans, the band. “I had goosebumps everywhere, to be honest," Bailey said. True freshman Matthew Bailey put Illinois ahead 7-3 by recovering a muffed punt that bounced into the end zone for a touchdown with 5:38 left in the opening quarter. “We have a lot of trust in everybody that's out there, but to see them flourish and really be able to move the chains, get some touchdowns and keep that going was awesome,” DeVito said. “Obviously, they've got new coaches and everything, but the majority of a lot of there players were there, some of ours are back and I wanted to see where we are as a program.”Ĭornerback Devon Witherspoon shined with seven tackles and three pass breakups and defensive end Keith Randolph came up with 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and seven tackles.ĭeVito bounced back to complete 17 of 25 passes, including 39- and 2-yard touchdown throws to tight ends Michael Marchese and Tip Reiman, respectively, to help the Illini take a 21-3 lead into halftime. “This was a big statement to me about where we were a year ago to where we are now,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said.
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