CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois is off to the best start in Bret Bielema's four years as coach and hopes to continue the momentum Saturday against Central Michigan.
The Illini are coming off a 23-17 victory over then-No. 19 Kansas in front of a rare sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium last week to improve to 2-0. The Illini will try to avoid a letdown against a Central Michigan team that lost 52-16 last week at Florida International and was plagued by turnovers (6) and penalties (10 for 70 yards).
The struggles of 2023 have yet to be repeated this fall. The Illini bottled up Eastern Illinois for four quarters, dominating the turnover battle, and then did the same last week against then-No. 19 Kansas in a high-profile home win. Handling that success was a topic of conversation between defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and his players this week.
"We had a long conversation (Sunday) about how to handle it," Henry said. "Everybody is about to pat these guys on the back. This next game we're about to walk into, most people would label it as a trap game. If you come in sleepwalking, the team we're about to play is a really, really, really talented team."
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Illinois' secondary has been the leader defensively through two weeks. Matthew Bailey, Xavier Scott and Miles Scott are all in the top five in tackles alongside linebacker Dylan Rosiek (the team leader with 11) and defensive lineman Dennis Briggs Jr. The two Scotts have a pair of interceptions apiece and have both forced a fumble. Torrie Cox Jr. has the team's fifth interception. The edge that group has played with through two games is something first-year cornerbacks coach Corey Parker saw when he arrived.
"They were guys that were eager to be coached," Parker said."They were eager to be loved up on. They were eager to be held accountable. ... It's been great to see how those guys have taken that level of saltiness, that toughness, that nastiness, but that level of confidence I wanted to bring into the room. To say, 'Hey, we can check these guys. We've just got to believe.'"
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer burned Kansas last week with long completions, going 16 of 25 for 192 yards. Zakhari Franklin caught nine passes for 99 yards while Pat Bryant had three catches for 70 yards, including 38- and 27-yarders on Illinois' game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. But he'll be facing a Chippewas defense that leads the MAC in fewest passing yards allowed per game (107.5). But the Chippewas rank 112th nationally in rushing defense giving up 189.5 yards per game.
This is the first meeting between the teams. The Chippewas (1-1) opened the season with a 66-10 home win over Central Connecticut State. They're No. 2 in the Mid-American Conference in total scoring (82 points) and one of only three FBS teams that has returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown.
Central Michigan QB Joe Labas, an Iowa transfer, completed 18 of 24 passes for 342 yards and three TDs in his Central Michigan debut and first game action since he started the 2022 Music City Bowl. But he threw five interceptions in the loss to Florida International.
Game notes
Illinois is tied for the national lead in turnovers (8) and is second in interceptions (5) and fumble recoveries (3). That's not good news for Central Michigan, which had six turnovers in its loss to FIU, including the five interceptions by Labas. ... Illinois barely missed making this week's AP Top 25. The Illini led the list of 18 teams also receiving votes. ... Illinois hasn't started 2-0 since 2019. The last time it opened the season with three straight victories was 2011. ... Sixth-year Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain has taken the Chippewas to two bowl games (2019 New Mexico Bowl and 2021 Sun Bowl) and one MAC championship game (2018). The only win in those games was a 24-21 victory over Washington State in the Sun Bowl. He's 30-29 as Central Michigan's coach.
Illinois vs. Central Michigan
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m
WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Champaign
RECORDS: Illinois is 2-0; Central Michigan is 1-1
TV: Peacock
ODDS: Illinois by 18.5
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