Husker Football: An Illinois Game Day Q&A

It’s time to head into Big Ten Q&A territory! This week, the Husker football team takes on the Illinois Fighting Illini for homecoming, and we reached out to Ricky Widmer of Writing Illini to help us learn about the Big Red’s opponent.

Husker Corner: How has Wes Lunt fit into the system? Has he given the offense the spark expected?

Ricky Widmer: Spark? Depends. Are the Illini in the first or fourth quarter? All joking aside, Wes Lunt has fit decently in the Bill Cubit system. Maybe it’s because I over hyped the offense this offseason, but there just hasn’t been any kind of consistency.

There’s a ton of new faces on the offense this season from Lunt to Mikey Dudek to Geronimo Allision to Malik Turner.

One thing I will say I love about Lunt is his composure. Dude can throw a pick-six and forget it ever happened on the next offensive drive.

He can also win a game if the other team let’s the Illini hang around in the fourth quarter.

HC: Are there any other players you feel Nebraska should keep an eye out for this Saturday?

RW: Mikey Dudek. Big Ten Freshman of the Year! Dudek is a beast. For a freshman, he’s such a smart football player and is really a “diamond in the rough” for Bill Cubit’s offense.

He’s fast, can play on the outside or the inside, and has been compared to NFL wide receiver Wes Welker. If the Blackshirts over look him this Saturday, he could make them pay.

HC: Do you feel Illinois can exploit any areas on the Huskers’ offense or defense?

RW: Exploit? No. Maybe the offense can exploit the Husker secondary, but I’m going to be focused on the match-up between the Illini defense and Ameer Abdullah. As long as he doesn’t kill us, I’ll be happy.

HC: This is Tim Beckman’s third year and so far, he’s improved Illinois’ record every season. What’s the fan base’s take on him?

RW: Hit or miss. I’m a guy that believes he has done a good job with what he’s had to work with. He’s bringing in his guys, and had to change the culture of that Illini locker room when he came into Champaign.

This team in on the verge of something special. Maybe not this year, but soon.

HC: Illinois wasn’t done any favors by the schedule gods with road trips to Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Ohio State. What’s a realistic end to the season?

RW: Five or six wins. I feel like this Illini squad can beat Purdue and Northwestern. Out of the four you listed, I’m looking at Ohio State.

Without Braxton Miller, I’m wondering if the Orange and Blue can upset the Buckeyes this season.

Probably not going to happen, but that’d be the game I’d put on upset watch if I had to pick.

HC: Regardless of a win or a loss, what do you feel Illinois can gain during their visit to Lincoln?