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Michigan football: Everything you need to know about Illinois

By Matthew Helmkamp

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up before the game against the Minnesota Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Brandon Peters #18 of the Illinois Fighting Illini warms up before the game against the Minnesota Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Familiarity

As a sophomore at the University of Michigan, quarterback Brandon Peters competed in a heated battle with Wilton Speight and John O’Korn.

A year later, he fell off the map.

Two years later, Brandon dropped to fourth in the depth chart and decided UM was no longer the school for him. Peters earned his degree and began the arduous task of selecting his next school. Lovie charmed the Indiana native and Peters – being granted immediate eligibility as a graduate transfer –  is currently in the middle of the first of two collegiate years remaining with Illinois.

So far, Brandon is producing quality numbers for the Illini, completing 74 passes out of 126, with ten touchdowns to four interceptions. His best performance to date is arguably on the road against Connecticut, where Peters went 24/25 for 227 yards and four touchdowns.

There have been some hiccups, even when you’re as talented as Peters, no one is perfect. Against Nebraska, Brandon went 9/21 for 78 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

A week later, there were similar results before the Illinois QB suffered an injury and left the disaster that was happening in Minnesota.

If Peters does play, there will likely be similar results against this stout Michigan defense that showed what it’s capable of in the slugfest with Iowa.

Aside from the Wolverine transfer, Illinois features running back Reggie Corbin, who is returning from a 1,000+ yard season a year ago. This year, Corbin has accounted for 382 yards on the ground and three TDs.

Out wide, the Illini have another transfer this time from USC. Josh Imatorbhebhe joined the team with Peters and is the teams leading receiver with 220 yards, but he’s not the most targeted. Junior Ricky Smalling is the most common target for Brandon, catching 22 passes through five games.

Overall, the offense averages 191 yards through the air and 164 on the ground.

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