Here's what Lovie Smith said following Illinois' loss to Minnesota
Illinois fell 41-14 to Minnesota on Saturday afternoon, moving the Illini to 0-3 on the season.
Fourth-string quarterback Coran Taylor, thrust into action due to COVID-19 and injuries, completed just 6-of-17 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Minnesota gained over 500 yards including a 224-yard day from running back Mohamed Ibrahim.
Coach Lovie Smith acknowledged Illinois’ failures after the game.
#illini Lovie Smith isn't making excuses.
"They dominated us on both sides of the ball."
The key is, can he turn it around like last year?
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 8, 2020
Lovie said he doesn't need to watch the film for his lines after getting physically beat.
I may pass on film review this week too.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 8, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith: "I'm the head football coach. Everything comes back to me. …It always starts with me. Believe me, we'll do something about it."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 8, 2020
Smith also provided an update on defensive back Nate Hobbs. Hobbs didn’t play in the game after not practicing this week due to a shoulder injury.
#illini Lovie Smith: Nate Hobbs has a shoulder injury
— Mariah Guzman (@MariahLGuzman) November 8, 2020
A couple things seemed to frustrated Smith the most — the lack of tackling on defense and the repeat situation of falling behind 14-0.
#illini Lovie Smith "most disappointed" in tackling today.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 8, 2020
#Illini coach @LovieSmith: "We can't keep getting in a 14-0 hole."
Smith says the basics of #Illini offense is off the running game and that gets nullified after a big deficit.
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) November 8, 2020
Illinois will look to get its first win of the season next week at Rutgers.
