The 2015 Fighting Illini look to continue the positive momentum generated by last season’s bowl berth and the steady improvement of the team over the last three seasons, shaking off the firing of head coach Tim Beckman and playing quality football. Illinois has improved year by year through the last 4 seasons. The Illini went from 2 wins in 2012, to 4 wins in 2013 and to 6 wins and a spot in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl in 2014.
Kent State returns their top 11 tacklers from 2014, including junior safety Nate Holley, who ranked third in the FBS in tackles per game (12.5). They also return the bulk of their offensive line from last season as well, an offensive line that did not allow more than one sack in its last seven games. Illinois will have also have to be prepared for Kent State's stellar quarterback, Colin Reardon, Reardon ranks 4th in career completions at Kent State and sixth in both career passing yards and touchdown passes.
For the Illini, Friday's game marks the first game for Bill Cubit as head coach of the Fighting Illini. The third-year offensive coordinator was named head coach back on August 28 after the dismissal of Tim Beckman. Cubit spent eight years as head coach at Western Michigan before coming to Illinois in 2013 and has a career head coaching record of 85-65-1.
So, who should we keep on an eye for the Illini tonight? Watch for senior running back Josh Ferguson to explode, Ferguson is one of only three active FBS players with more than 1,500 career rushing yards (1,878) and 1,000 receiving yards (1,227). Ferguson was a Doak Walker Award candidate, and he currently ranks sixth all time on the Illinois career all-purpose yards list (3,486) with a realistic chance to break Robert Holcombe’s all-time-UI mark of 4,737.
Another thing to watch out for is the strength of the Illini defense,as last season they forced 19 turnovers and scored four touchdowns, two of which came during fourth quarter comebacks. Offensively the Illini ranked second in the Big Ten in both passing yards per game (249.8) and completion percentage (61.2).
Tonight’s season opener should be a good one, with both teams eager to start the 2015 season. Kickoff is at 8:12 PM CT.