Chase Brown not settling for hot start with Illini: 'We can push this way further'
Chase Brown is not content with Illinois’ great start to the 2022 season.
Illinois is off to a 6-1 start through 7 games. Brown’s production in the running game has played a major role in the Fighting Illini having a strong season. Many people in college football did not expect Illinois to be one of the best teams in the B1G with more than 1 month left in the season.
#Illini RB Chase Brown: "I'm happy with the wins. But personally, I think we can push this way further than it is now."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 19, 2022
Brown has been happy with the team’s winning record, but he believes that the team can accomplish more in the final month:
“I’m happy with the wins. But personally, I think we can push this way further than it is now,” Brown said.
Illinois is ranked for the 1st time in 11 years and there is a chance this team could play in a New Year’s Six bowl game. Illinois’ last appearance in a bowl game was in the 2019 Redbox Bowl against California. This is head coach Bret Bielema’s 2nd season at Illinois and he had a 5-7 record in 2021. Illinois is already bowl eligible in Bielema’s 2nd season with the program in 2022.
If Illinois wants to compete for a B1G Championship, Brown will need to continue to be a factor in the running game. In 7 games, Brown has rushed for 1,059 yards and 4 touchdowns. In last week’s win over Minnesota, Brown had 41 carries for 180 rushing yards.
Illinois will return to play in Week 9 against Nebraska on Saturday, Oct. 29.