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Lovie Smith says Illinois football putting together better product, seeking redemption against Purdue
By Dave Holcomb
Published:
Illinois coach Lovie Smith walked a little bit taller into his Monday press conference after edging formerly No. 6 Wisconsin, 24-23, on Saturday. That confidence was reflected in his comments as well.
Smith claimed that beating the Badgers was really just the beginning and that the Fighting Illini are “going to win a lot of games” in the future. Still, he didn’t minimize beating Wisconsin, instead, playing it up for recruiting purposes.
#illini Lovie: We're going to win a lot of games around here. That was one. We need to get a second one
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 21, 2019
#illini Lovie: We want to bring in more recruits. Part of equation is putting a better product on the football field. When you beat the No. 6 team in the country, that says you have a better product on the football field.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 21, 2019
Shortly thereafter, Smith began looking ahead to Illinois’ next game against Purdue. It sounds like Smith is making them public enemy No. 1 this week in Champaign.
#illini Lovie: Homecoming last year, we were embarrassed by Purdue. Get a chance to redeem yourself. You want to stack wins, as much as anything.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 21, 2019
The Illinois-Purdue all-time series is tied 44-44-6, but the Boilermakers have won the last three matchups. Smith has never beaten Purdue, and last year, the Boilermarkers embarrassed the Fighting Illini, 46-7.
Illinois will visit Purdue at 12 pm ET on Saturday.