Illinois Fighting Illini at Iowa Hawkeyes Preview

By John Onan  |   Friday, September 30, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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In a Big Ten battle, the Illinois Fighting Illini are visiting the Iowa Hawkeyes. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:10 PM EST.

Both Illinois and Iowa are coming into this one off losses in their conference openers. The Illini were manhandled by Michigan State last week at home 61-14. Under first year coach Ron Zook, they dropped to 2-2 with their second straight loss to a ranked opponent. The defense, which had looked slightly improved from a season ago, gave up a Memorial Stadium record 705 yards by an opposing team in last week's debacle. The offense, led by quarterback Tim Brasic, also have struggled since they've begun playing tougher opposition. Brasic has been very good, completing 63 % of his throws for 802 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

After receiving tons of preseason hype, the Iowa Hawkeyes have also fallen on tough times. Their latest defeat came at the hands of Ohio State in Columbus 31-6 last weekend to drop to 2-2 and out of the top 25. Iowa failed to establish any sort of running game, which led to quarterback Drew Tate having to run for his life most of the day and being sacked five times.. They were a minus six yards on the ground, and Tate could only muster 145 yards through the air on 22-of-39 passing. No one has stepped up to help Tate except for tight end Ed Hinkel, who has caught 16 balls for 151 yards through the first four games.
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