2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Last updated

2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football
Illinois Fighting Illini logo.svg
Redbox Bowl, L 20–35 vs. California
Conference Big Ten Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record6–7 (4–5 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Rod Smith (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Uniform
Illinois fighting football uniforms.png
Seasons
  2018
2020  
2019 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 3 Ohio State xy$^  9 0   13 1  
No. 9 Penn State  7 2   11 2  
No. 18 Michigan  6 3   9 4  
Indiana  5 4   8 5  
Michigan State  4 5   7 6  
Maryland  1 8   3 9  
Rutgers  0 9   2 10  
West Division
No. 11 Wisconsin xy  7 2   10 4  
No. 10 Minnesota x  7 2   11 2  
No. 15 Iowa  6 3   10 3  
Illinois  4 5   6 7  
Purdue  3 6   4 8  
Nebraska  3 6   5 7  
Northwestern  1 8   3 9  
Championship: Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 21
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their fourth season under head coach Lovie Smith, the Fighting Illini compiled a 6–7 record (4–5 in conference games), finished in fourth place out of seven teams in the Big Ten's West Division, and outscored opponents by a total of 347 to 340. They concluded the season with a loss to California in the 2019 Redbox Bowl. [1]

Contents

The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Brandon Peters (1,884 passing yards, 55.3% completions percentage), running back Reggie Corbin (675 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per attempt), wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (33 receptions for 634 yards), and kicker James McCourt (81 points scored, 42 of 43 extra points, 13 of 19 field goals). [2] McLaughlin was the only Illinois player to receive first-team honors on the 2018 All-Big Ten Conference football team. [3] Linebacker Dele Harding and punter Blake Hayes received first-team honors on the 2019 All-Big Ten Conference football team. [4]

The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Preseason

Preseason Big Ten poll

Although the Big Ten Conference has not held an official preseason poll since 2010, Cleveland.com has polled sports journalists representing all member schools as a de facto preseason media poll since 2011. For the 2019 poll, Illinois was projected to finish in last in the West Division. [5]

Schedule

Illinois' 2019 schedule began with three non-conference games, starting with Akron of the Mid-American Conference at home, a road game to UConn of the American Athletic Conference, and then at home again for Eastern Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. In Big Ten Conference play, Illinois played all members of the West Division and draws Michigan, Rutgers, and Michigan State from the East Division.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3111:00 a.m. Akron * BTN W 42–330,654
September 72:30 p.m.at UConn * CBSSN W 31–2323,108
September 1411:00 a.m. Eastern Michigan *
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
BTNL 31–3434,759
September 217:00 p.m. Nebraska
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
BTNL 38–4244,512
October 52:30 p.m.at Minnesota BTNL 17–4039,341
October 1212:00 p.m.No. 16 Michigan
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (rivalry)
ABC L 25–4237,275
October 1911:00 a.m.No. 6 Wisconsin Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
BTNW 24–2337,363
October 2611:00 a.m.at Purdue BTNW 24–638,735
November 22:30 p.m. Rutgers
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
BTNW 38–1035,652
November 92:30 p.m.at Michigan State FS1 W 37–3463,370
November 2311:00 a.m.at No. 17 Iowa BTNL 10–1958,331
November 3011:00 a.m. Northwestern
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (rivalry)
FS1L 10–2935,895
December 303:00 p.m.vs. California * FOX L 20–3534,177

[6]

Game summaries

Akron

1234Total
Zips30003
Fighting Illini141414042

At UConn

1234Total
Fighting Illini0247031
Huskies1037323

Eastern Michigan

1234Total
Eagles14901134
Fighting Illini17001431

Nebraska

1234Total
Cornhuskers77131542
Fighting Illini14714338

At Minnesota

1234Total
Fighting Illini737017
Golden Gophers313141040

Michigan

1234Total
No. 16 Wolverines141401442
Fighting Illini0710825

Wisconsin

1234Total
No. 6 Badgers767323
Fighting Illini0771024

“KAM'S Miracle”

On October 19, during the Homecoming Weekend, the Fighting Illini upset the undefeated No. 6 ranked Wisconsin Badgers on a 39-yard game-winning field goal by James McCourt. It was Illinois' first win against a top ranked team since 2007, when they had upset No. 1 ranked Ohio State in Columbus with a score of 28–21.

The weekend also marked the last nights of beloved campus bar KAM'S. KAM'S had been a popular bar on campus since 1975. In September 2019 it was announced that KAM'S would be closing on Sunday night of Homecoming 2019. The victory coincided with this closing.

[7]

At Purdue

1234Total
Fighting Illini3147024
Boilermakers00066

Rutgers

1234Total
Scarlet Knights0100010
Fighting Illini10021738

At Michigan State

1234Total
Fighting Illini3702737
Spartans14143334

“The Comeback In East Lansing”

Illinois started the road game off rough, giving up 14 points and only scoring a field goal in the first quarter. By halftime, they were losing 28–10 and at one point in a 28–3 deficit in the second quarter. After Halftime, both teams struggled in the 3rd quarter, scoring only 3 combined points. But the comeback started in the 4th quarter on which the first play was an Illinois touchdown on a 46-yard Brandon Peters pass to wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe. Then on the next Illinois possession, Reggie Corbin ran it in the end zone from 6-yards out to make the score 31–24. On the next Spartans possession, Michigan State's quarterback Brian Lewerke couldn't handle a bad snap and Illinois recovered the fumble at Michigan State's 8-yard line. Peters then tried throwing the game tying touchdown pass but it was intercepted in the end zone by MSU. On the ensuing possession, Lewerke threw an interception to Illinois defender Sydney Brown for a 76-yard touchdown. But the score remained untied when Illinois kicker junior James McCourt missed the PAT to make it 31–30. Michigan State then drove down the field but only managed to kick a field goal to make the score 34–30, MSU leading with 3:17 remaining in the 4th. Illinois drove down the field, completing a 37-yard throw and catch by Peters to Imatorbhebhe and drove to the MSU 4-yard line. The Spartans defense then held and stopped the Illini on 4th and Goal but a defensive pass interference kept the game alive. Brandon Peters then completed a 6-yard, game-winning touchdown to tight end Daniel Barker with 5 seconds remaining. Illinois stopped Michigan State on the kickoff, sealing a Fighting Illini win. The victory clinched a bowl game for the Illini, their first since 2014.

At Iowa

1234Total
Fighting Illini700310
No. 17 Hawkeyes760619

Northwestern

1234Total
Wildcats3771229
Fighting Illini073010

Vs. California

1234Total
Golden Bears7147735
Fighting Illini1030720

Personnel

Coaching staff

Staff as of April 17, 2019. [8]

NamePositionConsecutive season at
Illinois in current position
Salary [9] [10]
Lovie Smith Head coach/Defensive coordinator 4th$4,000,000
Rod Smith Offensive coordinator 2nd$700,000
Michael Bellamy Running backs coach 1st$250,000
Andrew Hayes-Stoker Wide receivers Coach 4th$335,000
Bob McClain Offensive line coach 1st$310,000
Cory Patterson Tight Ends coach 2nd$275,000
Austin Clark Defensive line coach 2nd$275,000
Miles Smith Linebackers coach 1st$220,000
Keynodo Hudson Cornerbacks coach 1st$250,000
Gill Byrd Safeties coach/Passing Game Coordinator2nd$300,000
Bob Ligashesky Special Teams Coordinator 4th$331,000

Roster

2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB 1 Isaiah Williams Fr
RB 2Reggie Corbin Redshirt.svg  Sr
RB 3Jakari Norwood Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 4Ricky SmallingJr
WR 5Trevon Sidney Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 6Dominic Stampley Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB 7Coran Taylor Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 8 Casey Washington Fr
WR 9 Josh Imatorbhebhe Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 10Justice Williams Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 11Carlos SandySo
QB 12Matt Robinson Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 13Caleb Reams Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 15Trenard Davis Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 16Cam Miller Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB 18 Brandon Peters Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 19Dalevon CampbellFr
WR 20Kyron CumbyFr
RB 21Ra'Von BonnerJr
RB 22Kenyon Sims Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 23Conner LilligSo
RB 24Nick FedanzoFr
RB 25Dre Brown Redshirt.svg  Sr
RB 26Mike EpsteinJr
RB 28 Chase Brown Redshirt.svg  So
TE 43Griffin MooreFr
TE 48Bryce BarnesFr
OL 52Verdis Brown Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 53 Kendrick Green Redshirt.svg  So
OL 54 Julian Pearl Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 57Evan KirtsFr
OL 58Preston Engel Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 59Josh PlohrFr
OL 63 Alex Palczewski Jr
OL 65 Doug Kramer Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 66Jordyn Slaughter Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 68Jake Stover Redshirt.svg  So
OL 70Thomas CroninFr
OL 72Kievan Myers Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 73Jake Cerny Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 74Richie Petitbon Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 75Kurt Gavin Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 79 Vederian Lowe Jr
WR 80Edwin Carter Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 81Griffin Palmer Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 82Luke Ford Redshirt.svg  So
TE 83Bobby Walker Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 84Jordan HolmesSo
WR 85Dylan Thomas Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 86Donny NavarroJr
TE 87Daniel BarkerSo
TE 89Alex Pihlstrom Redshirt.svg  So
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
LB 2Derrick Smith (I)Jr
DB 3Marquez BeasonFr
LB 5 Milo Eifler Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 6 Tony Adams Jr
DB 7Stanley GreenSr
DB 8 Nate Hobbs Jr
LB 9Dele HardingSr
LB 10James KnightJr
DB 15Delano WareSo
DB 17Kendall SmithJr
DB 20Nick WalkerJr
DB 21 Quan Martin So
DB 22Dylan WyattSo
DB 23Joseph ThompsonFr
LB 24Dawson DeGrootJr
DB 25 Kerby Joseph So
DB 27Matthew JuddFr
DB 28Nolan BernatSr
DB 29Christian Bobak Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 30 Sydney Brown So
DB 31 Devon Witherspoon Fr
DB 32Tailon LeitzseyJr
DL 33Ezekiel Holmes Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 34Ryan MeedFr
LB 35 Jake Hansen Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 36Ben SchultzFr
LB 37Mark Di IorioFr
LB 40Shammond CooperFr
DB 42Michael MarcheseJr
LB 44Tarique BarnesFr
LB 45Khalan TolsonSo
LB 46Alex McEachern Redshirt.svg  So
DL 47Oluwole Betiku Jr.Jr
DL 49 Seth Coleman Fr
LB 51Sean Coghlan Redshirt.svg  So
LB 52Ayo Shogbonyo Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 54Marc MondesirJr
DL 55Jamal Milan Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 69Moses OkpalaFr
DL 88 Keith Randolph Jr. Fr
DL 90Lere Oladipo Redshirt.svg  So
DL 91 Jamal Woods Redshirt.svg  So
DL 92Isaiah GayJr
DL 93Calvin AverySo
DL 95Kenyon JacksonSr
DL 96Tymir OliverSr
DL 97Bobby RoundtreeJr
DL 98Deon Pate Redshirt.svg  So
DL 99Owen Carney Jr.Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 11Caleb Griffin Redshirt.svg  Fr
P 14Blake HayesJr
K, P 17 James McCourt Redshirt.svg  Jr
LS 39Aidan HallFr
LS 41Nolan RossbackFr
LS 56Ethan Tabel Redshirt.svg  Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Rod Smith – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
  • Gill ByrdPassing Game Coordinator / Safeties
  • Bob LigasheskySpecial Teams Coordinator
  • Mike BellamyRunning Backs
  • Austin Clark – Defensive Line
  • Andrew Hayes-Stoker – Wide Receivers
  • Keynodo Hudson – Cornerbacks
  • Bob McClain – Offensive Line
  • Cory Patterson – Tight Ends
  • Miles Smith – Linebackers
  • Rob Delaney – Graduate Assistant – Offense
  • Zach Grant – Graduate Assistant – Offense
  • Carson Hall – Graduate Assistant – Defense
  • Brent Jackson – Graduate Assistant – Defense
  • Peter Collins – Defensive Analyst
  • Ilir Emini – Defensive Analyst
  • Cody Gibson – Offensive Analyst
  • Devin Holiday – Defensive Analyst
  • Garrett Schwettman – Special Team Analyst
  • Jake Ellsworth – Defensive Analyst
  • Lou Hernandez – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
  • Tim Knox – Director of Football Operations
  • Jake Zweig – Director of Man Development
  • Patrick Embleton – Director of recruiting
  • James Kirkland – Director of Player Personnel
  • Joe Price – Director of High School Relations
  • Cameron Skelding – Assistant Recruiting Coordinator
  • Travis Perry – Director of Creative Content

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: September 20, 2019

Recruiting

College recruiting information
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeightCommit date
Marquez Beason
CB
Duncanville, TX Duncanville 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)174 lb (79 kg)Mar 10, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  4 stars.svg     ESPN:  4 stars.svg    (84)
Isaiah Williams
ATH
St. Louis, MO Trinity Catholic 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)170 lb (77 kg)Mar 23, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  4 stars.svg     ESPN:  4 stars.svg    (84)
Shammond Cooper
OLB
St. Louis, MO Trinity Catholic 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)Jan 3, 2019 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  4 stars.svg     ESPN:  4 stars.svg    (83)
Moses Okpala
DE
St. Louis, MO Ladue Horton Watkins 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)250 lb (110 kg)Nov 2, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  4 stars.svg     ESPN:  4 stars.svg    (80)
Kyron Cumby
RB
Plano, TX Plano Senior 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)170 lb (77 kg)Jun 21, 2013 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    (79)
Keith Randolph Jr.
DE
Belleville, IL Belleville West 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)270 lb (120 kg)Dec 18, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  3 stars.svg     ESPN:  3 stars.svg    (76)

Incoming transfers

NameNumberPos.Previous SchoolYear
Chase Brown #28RB Western Michigan (RS)(I) Sophomore
Josh Imatorbhebhe #9WR USC (RS) Junior
Brandon Peters #18QB Michigan (RS) Junior
Luke Ford#82TE Georgia (RS)(I) Sophomore
Trevon Sidney#5WR USC (RS) Junior
Oluwole Betiku Jr.#47OLB USC Junior
Richie Petitbon#74OG Alabama (RS) Senior

Key:

(RS) = Redshirt

(I) = Ineligible/Sitting out

References

  1. "2019 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  2. "2019 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  3. "Big Ten Announces Football All-Conference Teams for Defense and Special Teams and Select Individual Honors". Big Ten Conference. November 27, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  4. "Big Ten Announces Football All-Conference Teams for Defense and Special Teams and Select Individual Honors". Big Ten Conference. December 3, 2019. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  5. Lesmerises, Doug (July 18, 2019). "Michigan named Big Ten football favorite in cleveland.com 2019 preseason poll". Cleveland.com.
  6. "2019 Illinois Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  7. "KAM's gets ready to shut its doors, new location open in 2020". September 25, 2019.
  8. "Illinois Athletics – Football Coaches" . Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  9. "Smith's revised contract drops buyout cost to $1 million in 2021". The News-Gazette . Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  10. "Show them the money: Lovie's newest staff receives pay bump". The News-Gazette . Retrieved April 17, 2019.