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Illinois Looking for Improvements With Season Kickoff Saturday vs Akron

A new quarterback, upgrades throughout the offense and a revamped defense — all of it has led to optimism at Illinois, where coach Lovie Smith heads into his fourth season.

 

A tough Big Ten season will tell how long the bloom remains on the rose.

 

The Illini showed signs of turning things around last year, including flashes of the stout defense Smith is known for. Illinois finished 4-8, and Smith hopes to take advantage of a soft non-conference schedule to aim for a bowl game. 

 

Smith’s teams have shown steady, but slow, improvements while battling a series of debilitating injuries. This year’s version will open the season at home Aug. 31 against Akron.

Standout Mike Epstein is back from an injury and will join Reggie Corbin in the backfield. Corbin rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and is recognized as one of the best running backs in the conference.

 

In camp, there were four promising quarterbacks vying for the starting job: graduate transfer Brandon Peters from Michigan, freshman Isaiah Williams, sophomore Matt Robinson and redshirt freshman Coran Taylor.

 

Highly regarded wide receiver Edwin Carter has been cleared to play following a serious leg injury he suffered early last season. Joining Carter in the mix are USC graduate transfers Josh Imatorbhebhe and Trevon Sidney. Ricky Smalling, Trenard Davis, Dominic Stampley and freshman Kyron Cumby round out the promising group.

 

Former defensive end Bobby Roundtree was a rising star and an emerging leader of a tough defensive squad last season. But Roundtree suffered a severe spinal injury in a swimming accident in May and is currently in a rehabilitation center in Chicago. While his football days are likely over, the plan is for Roundtree to transition back to Champaign as a student, perhaps as early as this year.

 

Smith is looking at several options to replace Roundtree. USC graduate transfer Oluwole Betiku Jr., and juniors Isaiah Gay and Owen Carney Jr. are among possible starters.

 

Besides the Zips, the non-conference slate includes a visit to UConn and a home game against Eastern Michigan. The Big Ten schedule starts with a bang: The Illini host Nebraska, Michigan and Wisconsin in a four-game span and the fourth game is a trip to Minnesota. Other road trips include Michigan State and Iowa, with the regular-season finale against in-state rival Northwestern at home Nov. 30.

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