#24 Illinois Falls to Minnesota

25

winner

Minnesota
MIN

6-3, 4-2

17

Illinois
SICK

6-3, 3-3

winner

25

17

Points by quarters

team	1	2	3	4	F
MIN Minnesota	3	10	3	9	25
SICK Illinois	0	10	0	7	17

Match Review: Football | November 2, 2024

RECAP

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 24 Illinois fell to Minnesota 25-17 on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Josh McCray Ran for a team-leading 72 yards on seven carries, including a career-high 42-yard touchdown run in the first half.

Zakhari Franklin caught his second touchdown of the season and finished the game with five catches for 71 yards.

Pat Bryant recorded a team-best 72 yards on his five receptions.

No. 24 Illinois (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) will spend its second week off in Week 11 before returning to Memorial Stadium on Nov. 16 for its final home game of the year. The Fighting Illini will face Michigan State on Senior Day. Kick-off time and broadcast information will be announced later. Tickets are available at FightingIllini.com.

AFTERMATH NOTES

Player notes

• RB Josh McCray ran seven times for 72 yards and a touchdown.

  • His 42-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter was the longest of his career.

    • Fourth touchdown of the season and eighth of his career.

• WR Zakhari Franklin caught five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown.

  • He caught his second touchdown reception of the season in the fourth quarter.

    • Was the 40th of his career, which leads all active players.

• WR Pat Bryant caught five passes for 72 yards.

  • Has at least one reception in 21 consecutive games, dating back to 2023.

• DB Xavier Scott recorded four tackles and two PBUs.
• L.B Seth Coleman posted two QB hurries.

HIGHLIGHTS

QUOTES

Opening speech:
“I am extremely disappointed, but I give credit to Minnesota. The boys will look back on the film and realize that we have to seize the moments as they come. We couldn't do enough of that in the first half.” We missed a few things and created a few chances. In the second half we thought we had taken the lead and at the end we had a chance to catch up. I just didn't have enough juice to finish it.


“I do think a lot of our guys were a little banged up, especially at the nickel position.” Xavier Scott couldn't play the rest of the game and that put a strain on his position. I thought our guys fought and did a lot of good things. I know this game meant a lot, especially to our boys Luke Altmyer. Unfortunately we came up short offensively, but the good news is that the break week comes at a good time to get everyone healthy.”


“We still have three guaranteed chances ahead of us. I know this will be our last one of the season here at Memorial Stadium. Our guys take a lot of pride in playing here and they're going to carry that forward.” I don't think the Michigan State game is injury-related Xavier Scott will be out indefinitely, but he was unable to play the second half. Dylan Rosiek Unfortunately it has a fracture and could therefore be out for the season. He will have surgery sometime this week. Hank Beatty “I had a dislocation that protruded and tore the skin so he got stitches and couldn't get back in the game, but hopefully we should have him back in the Michigan State game.”


“A couple of other guys got beat up, Tyler Tribe tried to get back out there this week, but it wasn't enough to get him into a playing position. Joe Barna was also close to returning but was not cleared. I give our guys a lot of respect, I thought Caleb Patterson, Pat Bryant And Torrie Cox Jr. done a lot of good. They trained with us as forwards on Wednesday and we needed those guys out there today. I appreciate their efforts.”



Regarding ball security:
“When you're in the bag, you have to secure it with two hands. I think at the end of the half it was a three-man rush and we have to be able to secure that. I think it's a fitting end to today.” The fact that he fumbles his sack during a three-man rush just shows that it wasn't in the cards today. Unfortunately that has to be the case, we are working endlessly on these ball security drills and will correct it in the future.”



On the offensive today:
“Minnesota did a good job keeping us off the track. They applied pressure early on which forced us into some seconds and longs. There was a point where we got into this fringe and we couldn't come up with anything and we couldn't do it. “We had to at least decide whether we wanted to try or not. A bright spot in my opinion was at the end of the half when we put ourselves in a position to attempt a 55 yard throw. I thought that was good execution from Luke and the offense, but it just wasn't in the cards.



To take advantage of the upcoming bye week:
“One of the things we've done in this program is to use the bye week to maximize guys who don't normally get as many reps during the week. We played nine physical games. The way we play and execute. “It has to be smart to let our guys work on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

On his assessment of the game:
“It's a hard-fought defeat, just knowing we gave it our best shot. We worked hard throughout the week and to go out and perform like that hurts the soul a little. We beat the guys down a little bit, but at the end of the day we have to come back and work.”



On the difference in offense between the start of the season and now:
“Our ability to start fast at the beginning of the year was very important. We slacked off a bit on very small details. Small details lost this game. We have to get back to who we are on offense. “We go out there, make explosive plays and put our defense in a good position.”

On the difficulty of players playing due to injury:
“It's hard but I've seen some of the young people making progress. That's always great to see. I’m looking forward to the bye week and getting people healthy.”



To prepare for the final three games of the regular season:
“I think we're going to do a lot of self-assessment about what we've done.

On dealing with adversity:
“This is nothing new. I'm not impressed by it at all. When you face trials and adversity, consider it pure joy and that is what I will do. That's my attitude. This team is very optimistic.”
about these final three who would play. I have a great group of people around me who keep their heads up and chest out no matter the circumstances. I’ve never been so confident.”



Heading into the bye week:
“Be healthy and healthy. A lot of our guys are dealing with some cuts and bruises. We
has to get better. We have three games left to win nine games and we can definitely do that. Everyone in this locker room knows that. I know that the last game against Michigan State in Memorial we're going to give it our all and make sure we play at a high level to win.”

On the next man up mentality:
“It's frustrating when someone's out, but I think it's an opportunity because the guys coming in are young and have the skills. We may not have the experience, but all the guys on the back end have what it takes.” level and I believe in them. It's a chance for them to get into the sport at a young age and have that experience.



On the impact when Miles Scott was forced out of the game:
“Miles started in a lot of games. I don’t think there’s a big decline.” Mac Resetich. He carries out the repetitions in practice. There isn't as much experience on the backend, but ultimately he has to assert himself and play along. It didn’t go the way we wanted, but he played hard.”