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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 26, Digital 6

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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 26, ISSUE 6 93 Vaughn had a break-out game with 180 yards on just 16 carries. Lunt, a drop-back QB, can be very good at times, throwing for 2,761 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but he can be rattled by pressure. In an effort to keep defenses from getting to the quarterback too frequently, look for new coordinator Garrick McGee to lean on Vaughn and the running game. "He lived up to his billing last year as a true freshman, leading the team in rush- ing (including 496 yards in the Big Ten)," said Bucshon, while noting that Illinois has three returnees on the O-line but will need to replace the guards. "The Illini staff believes he's ready to take the next step and become a bell-cow running back for the Illini, especially in an offense that will feature more of a ground attack. "The physical tools are all there. Vaughn has a good combination of speed, power and balance." Perimeter skill is a bit of a question, especially with Mike Dudek, a former All-Big Ten freshman, having to miss his second straight season with an ACL injury. But Justin Hardee, who missed last year with a foot in- jury, returns, and Malik Turner, who always seems on the verge, has one more year to cash in on his potential. But Smith's NFL teams were known more for their defense. And that might be a challenge early for the Fighting Illini. Il- linois did get a big boost in the offseason, when linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr., the son of the Illini defensive coordinator, transferred in from Cal. He fills a big hole in the middle of the de- fense, after making 111 tackles as a junior. But Illinois' defensive strength lies in the front four, an athletic, veteran bunch. Look for Dawuane Smoot (eight sacks last season) and J.C. transfer Carroll Phillips to have big seasons. "The Illini want to increase their sack total after posting 1.9 sacks per game in Big Ten play a year ago, and they feel they have the horses on the defensive line to make significant strides," Buchson said. "… Senior defensive tackle Chunky Phil- lips is another experienced defender who gets off the ball in a hurry and can get af- ter the quarterback." — Kyle Charters Illinois Wes Lunt started every game last season for the Illini, a sign that his injury issues may be in the past. Still, Illinois wants to do everything possible to keep the pocket-passer upright. Reloading? 2015 Results (11-2) 9/5 ILLINOIS STATE . . . . . W, 31-14 9/12 at Iowa State . . . . . . . W, 31-17 9/19 PITTSBURGH . . . . . . . W, 27-24 9/26 NORTH TEXAS . . . . . . W, 62-16 10/3 at Wisconsin . . . . . . . . W, 10-6 10/10 ILLINOIS . . . . . . . . . . W, 29-20 10/17 at Northwestern . . . . . W, 40-10 10/31 MARYLAND . . . . . . . . W, 31-15 11/7 at Indiana . . . . . . . . . . W, 35-27 11/14 MINNESOTA . . . . . . . . W, 40-35 11/21 PURDUE . . . . . . . . . . . W, 40-20 11/27 at Nebraska . . . . . . . . W, 28-20 12/5 vs. Michigan State . . . L, 13-16 1/1 vs. Stanford . . . . . . . . L, 16-45 Iowa Hawkeyes OCT. 15 ROSS-ADE STADIUM TIME: NOON • TV: TBA COACH KIRK FERENTZ RECORD AT IOWA: 127-87 (17 SEASONS) RECORD VS. PURDUE: 9-4 2016 Schedule 9/3 MIAMI (Ohio) 9/10 IOWA STATE 9/17 NORTH DAKOTA ST 9/24 at Rutgers 10/1 NORTHWESTERN 10/8 at Minnesota 10/15 at Purdue 10/22 WISCONSIN 11/5 at Penn State 11/12 MICHIGAN 11/19 at Illinois 11/26 NEBRASKA G O L D A N D B L AC K 'S E A R LY L I N E : I O W A - 9 Iowa is viewed as the favorite by many in the West Division, but in terms of returning starters, the Hawkeyes will need to fill some holes. Here's a breakdown: Iowa has had just two head football coaches on its sidelines since 1979 when Hayden Fry started the first of 20 seasons. Kirk Ferentz begins his 18th year in 2016. During the same period, Purdue has had seven men lead its program. 2016 Opponent Preview School Total (offensive, defensive} 1. Purdue 16 (7 offensive, 9 defensive) 2. Minnesota 14 (7, 7) 3. IOWA 13 (5, 8) 4. Northwestern 13 (7, 6) 5. Nebraska 12 (6, 6) 6. Wisconsin 11 (6, 5) 7. Illinois 9 (5, 4)

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