Physical offensive line play helped propel Illinois past Oregon

Oct. 28—CHAMPAIGN — Illinois’ first play Saturday against Oregon was, on its face, not all that special.

It was simple, basic football.

Quarterback Michael Clayton II received the shotgun snap from starting center Jake Renfro, turned slightly and handed the ball off to Aidan Laughery. The result was a 4-yard rush from the fifth-year running back up the middle of the field.

It was, however, a purposeful play call from offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. While a 4-yard gain might not appear to be all that notable, what Lunney saw on his sideline iPad after that first drive ultimately ended in a Lars Rau punt gave him confidence in what the offense could accomplish against the Ducks’ lauded defense.

“I saw our guys come off with surge and pad level and finish, and I was like, ‘All right, here we go,'” Lunney said about the Illinois offensive line. “Even though we didn’t have every run like that, we had a lot of really good, solid 3- and 4-yard runs. Then, obviously, the explosive runs we had were difference makers.”

Laughery’s 75-yard touchdown run just before halftime was the first explosive play in the run game. Jordan Anderson provided the bookend with a 33-yard rush on third down late in the fourth quarter that ultimately set up Clayton’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Collin Dixon that sealed Illinois’ 21-10 victory.

“Up until play 21 (Laughery’s touchdown), we didn’t have much going on, but we were battling,” Lunney said. “I saw that on the iPad. I could see we were battling and being gritty, so I felt comfortable with what we were doing. We controlled the line of scrimmage.

“That doesn’t mean it was every snap, but if you holistically look, the numbers reflect we controlled the line. As a play caller, in those moments, especially with a young quarterback, it was very advantageous for me. I felt comfortable with everything we were doing in the run game we were going to surge, control and be able to get positive yards.”

That surge and control from the offensive line propelled Illinois to its most effective rushing performance of the season. Laughery led the way with 13 carries for 123 yards, and the Illini finished with a season-high 39 carries for 225 yards. That rushing total was the highest for Illinois since it rushed 48 times for 225 yards in last year’s home win against Maryland.

Saturday’s performance against Oregon came in stark contrast to the last time Illinois was on the field at Gies Memorial Stadium. That 24-17 loss to Purdue on Oct. 3 featured an offensive line playing with significantly less physicality than Illini offensive line coach Bart Miller demands.

The five that lined up against Oregon were different, both in personnel and approach. Brandon Hansen started his second straight game at right tackle, with Nathan Knapik flipping to left tackle. Starting guards Maika Matelau and Brandon Henderson were also healthier than they were in the Purdue game, which was their first game back after missing three weeks with knee injuries.

“I think we were all able to trust each other and know that everyone’s mistakes were fixable,” Hansen said. “We were a unit. It wasn’t five dudes doing themselves. It was us sticking together being able to push forward.”

Miller said the level of physicality the Illinois offensive line played with against Oregon is what he wants every week. It hasn’t always happened — the Purdue game being the real outlier — but there were moments in individual games in the first half of the season where that physicality was present.

The aftermath of the loss to the Boilermakers, which included Hansen replacing Christian Martin in the starting lineup, also included a conversation between Miller and his position group.

“We had a little talk between the coaches and all the players we needed to increase that (physicality),” said Renfro, who was named a team captain in his first and only season with the team after transferring from Wisconsin. “It got a little wordy. A lot of things were said, but everyone took to it really well. They knew what was going on and that what we put on tape was not us. We responded really well the past couple weeks.

“You can kind of fold under the pressure or you can rise up to the challenge. All five guys, I looked around, and everybody was like, ‘Let’s go. We can win this game. Let’s do this.’ I was really proud of the group of men I went out there and fought with (Saturday).”