The Illinois Fighting Illini (1-4) return home to Memorial Stadium in Week 5 of the college football season to play host to the visiting Charlotte 49ers (3-1) in the final non-conference game of the regular-season for both teams.
After falling to Purdue last week, 13-9, Illinois is looking to end a four-game losing skid. Out of the Illini's four losses, three have come in games where Illinois was either tied or down by less than one score with the ball in the final minute. An optimist would say, "Bret Bielema's team has shown it can keep things close the entire game." However, a pessimist might say, "Bielema's team can't close out a win, or finish off an opponent, or complete a comeback." That pessimist sure had a lot more opinions than the optimist.
Maybe Bret Bielema can coach the Illinois Horseshoes and Hand Grenade Team, because that's the only place where just getting close counts.
With three days until kickoff, the current over/under on this one stands at 55 with the Illini an -11 point favorite. Don't expect a barn-burner here, though. Illinois currently ranks 108th in scoring offense (20 pts/game) while Charlotte ranks 64th (30 pts/game). Defensively, the Illini are giving up an average of 26.8 points a game. Illinois' opponent, Charlotte has allowed an average of 24.3 points per game. Let's take a quick look at these teams.
Scouting 49ers Football in Week 5
Charlotte (C-USA) | Head Coach: Will Healy 3rd Season | Record: 12-11
The 49ers have looked good early, including a season-opening win over Duke (ACC). The only setback for Charlotte thus far, came via a 20-9 loss to Georgia State (Sun Belt) in Week 3. At 3-1, Charlotte has matched its best start for the first time since 2015.
On offense, Charlotte returns its starting QB (Chris Reynolds), three starting receivers (WR: Victor Tucker; TEs: Taylor Thompson; Ryan Carriere) and three offensive linemen (D'Mitri Emmanuel, Hunter Kelly, and Ashton Gist). In addition, wideout Cam Dollar, who started 14 games over the last two seasons, is back. Over on the defensive side of things, the secondary has some solid experience with two starting linebackers in Tyler Murray and Luke Martin back. Also returning are safety Antone Williams and cornerback Lance McMillan. Anchoring the line is defensive tackle Bryan Wallace. In addition, defensive end Markees Watts, who started all 13 games in 2019 but was hampered by injury in 2020, is back for Charlotte this season.
Scouting Illini Football in Week 5
Illinois (Big Ten) | Head Coach: Bret Bielema 1st season | Record: 1-4
While the four losses have some fans frustrated with the start of the Bielena era, no one expected things to be easy. On offense, true freshman running back Josh McCray emerged as Illinois' featured back at Purdue, where he ran for a career-best 156 yards on 24 carries. It was the fifth-most rushing yards by a true freshman in program history, and the most by a true freshman running back since Ke'Shawn Vaughn recorded 180 yards at Purdue in 2015. Isaiah Williams and Deuce Spann have both transitioned from QB to WR this season, becming Illinois' top two leading receivers. Williams leads the team in receptions (25) and receiving yards (251). And Spann is second on the team in receiving yards (117), tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (2), and leads the team in yards per catch (29.25).
Defensively, Illinois is 12th in the nation and tied for the Big Ten lead in takeaways with nine. Tony Adams and Kerby Joseph both had second-half interceptions at Purdue last week despite the defense playing without starting CB Devon Witherspoon, who is eighth in the nation in passes defended per game (1.8), and captain and starting linebacker Jake Hansen.
How to Watch Charlotte at Illinois
Chris Vosters (play-by-play), Stanley Jackson (analyst), and Krystle Rich (sideline) will have the call on the Big Ten Network with kickoff set for 12 p.m. ET, 11 a.m. CT.
