WKU Football: Illinois Q&A With Writing Illini’s Rees Woodcock

The Hilltoppers are ready to embark on their second trip to Illinois since 2014 and this time, they’re expected to win.

The Hilltoppers are ready to embark on their second trip to Illinois since 2014 and this time, they’re expected to win.

Before we take our own look at the Illini, I thought I’d reach out to the Illinois FanSided blog the Writing Illini and their editor, Rees Woodcock, to gain a first-hand account of what to look forward to on Saturday.

The Towel Rack: WKU is coming off a disappointing, at least from the fan perspective, performance against EKU. Safe to say Illinois is in the same boat. What were the expectations heading into last week against Ball State and what is the perceived reality now?

Rees Woodcock: Heading into the game against Ball State, I expected Illinois to struggle at times in the first half but pull away from the Cardinals in the second half. I knew the offensive line was going to have a hard time but they were even worse than I thought they would be.

I am hoping some things improve this week and that starts with play calling. Lovie Smith and the Illinois coaching staff can’t continue running play action and expect the offensive line to protect quarterback Chayce Crouch for that long. Quick, efficient, passes will be key if Illinois wants to continue moving the ball.

TTR: Lovie Smith said it in his press conference yesterday, that he didn’t know but he was almost positive WKU were favorited. Is that the consensus among the Illini contingent?

RW: According to Las Vegas, Western Kentucky is something like an eight point favorite. I think the consensus is that if certain things are corrected we can come away with a victory.

The offensive line needs to play better. The play calling and decision making by the coaching staff needs to improve. Mike Epstein and Mike Dudek need to see the ball more often. Illinois’ cornerbacks need to improve as well. Overall, though, I feel and I think Illinois fans feel this game can be a victory for the Orange and Blue.

TTR: We ran a preseason preview/assessment of the Illini several weeks ago and highlighted Kendrick Foster, Tre Watson and Mike Dudek as the key players for the Illini. Is there anyone we missed?

RW: Running back Mike Epstein really impressed week one. He is a true freshman that actually received more carries than Foster. He is also a big reason the Illini won the game against Ball State as well. This kid is lightning quick and just when you think he is going to get a handoff, he rolls out and catches a pass. He can do just about everything on the football field and is arguably our biggest weapon. He is a Christian McCaffrey type of player.

Illinois has a few other players to watch out for as well. JUCO transfer linebacker, Del’Shawn Phillips, led the Illini in tackles with 16 last week. He was a nice addition to the team in the offseason. Alos, wide receiver Malik Turner led Illinois is receiving yards in 2016 and he was their leading receiving week one as well. He is a threat on the outside.

TTR: Finally, what’s your prediction for Saturday?

RW: Illinois is going to have to score a lot of points to keep up with Western Kentucky. Crouch has to be on his game and the use of Epstein and Dudek in open space is a must. If Illinois can get the ball out of Crouch’s hands within three seconds of the snap, I think they can win the game.

The Illini also need to lock down the Hilltoppers wide receivers. There is a lot of inexperience at cornerback for this Illinois team and that is what Ball State took advantage of last Saturday. The freshmen cornerbacks need help with double coverage.

At the end of the day, Illinois will come out victorious, though. This team is resilient and, even though it was just Ball State, they found a way to win last week. The Illini will take down Western Kentucky this week, 38–35.

I’d like to thank Rees for taking time to answer our questions and give us a deeper look at the Illini. Also, he might be the first person to predict an Illini win.

Anyway, check out him and his crew at Writing Illini out as game week approaches and for the rest of the year.