As Virginia embarks on its first street journey of the season to Illinois this weekend, the Cavaliers have plenty of questions they will must reply with a purpose to knock off the Preventing Illini on Saturday in Champaign. Listed here are the 4 most necessary questions for the UVA soccer recreation at Illinois:
After supplementing the roster’s depth on the place with 4 transfers this offseason, the reconstructed defensive position was imagined to be a power of the Virginia protection this season. The Cavaliers didn’t have an incredible begin on Saturday in opposition to Richmond. The stats will not leap off the web page – Richmond had 170 dashing yards on 35 makes an attempt for a mean of 4.9 yards per dashing try. Nonetheless, the attention take a look at offered rather more alarming outcomes. As was the case by means of the whole thing of the 2021 season, there have been a number of working performs the place Richmond’s tailbacks obtained 5 yards past the road of scrimmage earlier than assembly any resistance. UVA needs to be extra disruptive up entrance and higher at plugging up the gaps within the working recreation.
Illinois will convey a a lot greater and extra bodily offensive line, blocking for the point of interest of the Illini offense: working again Chase Brown. After selecting 151 dashing yards in opposition to Wyoming, Brown amassed 199 yards on 36 carries in opposition to Indiana final week. If Illinois can constantly run the ball, it may spell hassle for the Cavaliers, as that can imply extra time with the UVA offense on the sideline. The Illini like to run the ball. Virginia has no selection however to cease them.
Equally, the Cavaliers are hoping to take one other large optimistic step in direction of establishing a run recreation of their very own. The season-opener was a strong begin to that finish, as each Perris Jones and Brennan Armstrong eclipsed the 100-yard dashing mark in opposition to Richmond. Virginia can be set to get Miami switch Cody Brown and fifth-year Ronnie Walker Jr. again from harm this week, so we may doubtlessly see some totally different faces within the backfield on Saturday. Illinois could have hassle containing UVA’s receivers, as was the case within the assembly final season. However, whether or not Virginia may throw the specter of a dashing assault on the Illini will decide if the Hoos can dominate this matchup for the second season in a row.
The Virginia offensive line delivered a serviceable efficiency in opposition to Richmond final week. Brennan Armstrong was sacked as soon as and hurried twice. Not dangerous, however the Cavaliers have been hardly examined to the fullest by an FCS opponent. The Preventing Illini could have greater and stronger athletes up entrance and the UVA offensive line should be regular to maintain Armstrong’s jersey clear. The Virginia receivers cannot harm the Illinois protection if Armstrong is on his again.
4 gamers – McKale Boley, Logan Taylor, Derek Devine, and Ty Furnish – made their first-career begins in opposition to Richmond final weekend. The unit carried out nicely sufficient, particularly contemplating it was the primary time all 5 of them (together with Dartmouth switch John Paul Flores) have performed collectively in a recreation setting. Garett Tujague’s offensive line should proceed to develop and the sport at Illinois can be a giant take a look at. The excellent news is that the Cavaliers ought to get senior sort out Jonathan Leech again from harm this week. Barring any points, he ought to take true freshman McKale Boley’s spot within the beginning lineup.
Watch the video under to listen to Tony Elliott touch upon the efficiency of the UVA offensive line in opposition to Richmond and his expectations for the group heading into the Illinois recreation:
The Cavaliers have been capable of give Tony Elliott a win in his head teaching debut in opposition to Richmond, however that recreation in opposition to an FCS opponent lacked any semblance of actual strain. That will not be the case when UVA performs a top quality Illinois opponent in entrance of a hostile setting in Champaign on Saturday. The Illini are at the moment favored by 4.5 factors, which takes into consideration the issue of house area benefit. Tony Elliott has been blaring the Illinois combat tune over the speaker throughout follow this week in an try to get his gamers to get so used to the sound that they will not even discover it when it is performed within the recreation.
The effectiveness of that technique is up for debate, however on the very least, the Cavaliers have needed to learn to keep communication in a loud, distracting setting throughout follow. Virginia did have some communication points in opposition to Richmond final week, together with a few unlawful substitution penalties. Such errors develop into extra probably, and extra pricey, in a loud street setting, so it is good that the Hoos are engaged on that this week.
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The Illini are going to need revenge for final yr’s 42-14 loss at Virginia and they’re additionally coming off of a painfully shut defeat at Indiana final week. The motivation Illinois is bringing into this recreation shouldn’t be misplaced on Tony Elliott, who has made positive to instill in his workforce that they have to match that degree of depth if UVA desires to take the victory on the street. Win or lose, we’ll be taught one thing in regards to the toughness of this Virginia workforce this weekend.
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DENHAM SPRINGS – One person is dead after a crash on Springfield Road and Gravesbriar Drive, according to emergency officials.
Deputies with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office say they are on scene alongside first responders.
LPSO advises drivers to stay off roads if possible.
An Illinois State Trooper was killed Monday night in Will County when he was struck by a car while removing debris from an expressway.
WILL COUNTY, Ill. – The family of Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns, who was struck and killed on I-55 near Channahon just before Christmas, has expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received during this tragic time.
Carns died Monday night after being hit by a vehicle while removing debris from the expressway.
On Saturday, his family issued the following statement:
Pictured is Trooper Carns with his two children, Ally and Gray, and wife Meghan. (Illinois State Police)
“The Family of Trooper Clay Carns mourn the loss of their treasured husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. We could never begin to thank law enforcement nor the thousands from our community who have reached out to us to express their love and support.
“To the public, Clay became a hero on December 23, 2024, when he was killed in the line of duty. To his family, he has always been a hero.
“Our world has been shattered, and we will never be the same. But we take comfort in knowing that he lived his life with such purpose, he loved his family and friends fiercely, and he took great pride in his work.”
The crash occurred on Monday, Dec. 23 – the very same day that was designated as “Scott’s Law Day” in Illinois, which reminds driver’s to move over and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles.
At around 10 p.m., Carns was clearing debris from the southbound lanes of I-55 near Channahon when he was struck by a vehicle.
He was transported to Ascension Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where he later died.
The driver, identified as 69-year-old John Fleet of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with a felony violation of Scott’s Law.
ISP arrested John Fleet, 69, of Wilmington, after the crash.
Trooper Carns served with the Illinois State Police for 11 years. He was a married father of two young children.
Services for Trooper Carns will be held at Parkview Christian Church, located at 11100 Orland Parkway in Orland Park.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $195,000 as of Saturday for Trooper Carns’ family.
The fund has a goal of raising $250,000 and has received 2,000 donations so far.
To learn more about the campaign, click here.
The Illinois basketball team is in the middle of a huge season for the program, as this squad is poised for great heights.
Despite dropping two out of the last four contests, the Illini find themselves back in the AP Top 25 at No. 24 in the nation. This ranking is impressive considering we are only 8-3 overall. The three losses aren’t bad, and Illinois has also beaten a good Missouri program and ranked Arkansas and Wisconsin squads.
While Brad Underwood is trying to develop talent and lead this team to the promised land, there is clearly a need for continuous program development on and off the court. On Friday night, the Illini “front office” got a little stronger.
According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer, Illinois is hiring Neel Ganta as the new general manager for the program. The Illini managed to snag him away from the Denver Nuggets front office.
Sources: Neel Ganta is departing the Denver Nuggets’ front office to become the new general manager of Illinois men’s basketball. Ganta returns to the Illini program after previously serving as a graduate assistant.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) December 27, 2024
Ganta’s roots are actually with the Illini. He was a basketball analyst for the Illini from May 2019 to August 2020. After that, he moved into a graduate assistant role with the program from August 2020 to August 2021.
After his time with the Orange and Blue, Ganta then took a player development coordinator role with the Grand Rapids Gold, the G-League team of the Denver Nuggets. He then parlayed that position into multiple roles with the Nuggets, which ended with him being a pro scout.
Illinois is now bringing back Ganta, but what does the general manager title do for a college basketball team?
Well, this is the same situation that ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski took with St. Bonaventure just months ago.
In the description of what Wojnarowski does for the Bonnies, it includes name, image, and likeness opportunities. This is huge in the college game today. It also sounds like Wojnarowski is the front face for the program when it comes to collectives.
This is what I imagine Ganta will do for the Orange and Blue. He will be out there wheeling and dealing. Ganta will likely be the one who brings in the money to help pay for the athletes to come to Illinois.
I like this addition to the Illinois basketball program. We needed someone out there bringing in the money so the coaching staff can focus on recruiting and on court issues.
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