Illinois was able to, against all odds, make it to a bowl game in 2014, likely saving the job of coach Tim Beckman. Thanks to an admirable job filling in under center by Riley O'Toole and a sensational season by then-freshman wide receiver Mike Dudek, the Illini offense was solid down the stretch last season. To start 2015, however, they will be missing their biggest offensive threat.

Dudek tore his ACL in practice on Wednesday. According to a report from the Illinois program, he could be out until October at the earliest with the injury. The school also reported that the injury came in a non-contact drill.

Primed to be one of the best receivers in the country this coming season, Dudek has recently been garnering plenty of national attention. Named a freshman all-American by several outlets, and featured in VAVEL's 2015 Wide Receivers Preview from February, he figured to be Illinois' most productive player this coming season. Dudek led the Big Ten in receiving during conference play in 2014, with 50 receptions for 716 yards.

If Dudek is out until the start of October, he will miss Illinois' games against Kent State, Western Illinois and Middle Tennessee at home, as well as a road game against North Carolina. This would cover the entirety of the Fighting Illini's non-conference schedule.

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About the author
Brendan Dzwierzynski
Originally from just outside of Chicago, IL, USA, Brendan is a at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, USA. Brendan has a great deal of experience in broadcasting and journalism. He has won several awards for radio work, including the Best Sports Play-by-Play at the Columbia College Chicago High School Radio Awards, won during his senior year of high school. He currently serves as the FM Sports Director at KJHK-FM. In terms of writing, he currently writes for several publications, including VAVEL, RockChalkTalk.com (an SB Nation website), thewrestlinggame.com, as well as two personal blogs, titled Per audacia ad astra and Press Box Opinions (sports-only). Brendan is a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Cubs and White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks and all teams at the University of Kansas.