Lovie Smith using last year's blowout loss to Iowa as motivation as Illinois prepares for 'good challenge'
Iowa has won five in a row against Illinois, but none were more embarrassing than last year’s result. The Hawkeyes defeated the Fighting Illini, 63-0, at Illinois.
The 63-point loss was the largest margin of victory for Iowa in the all-time series against Illinois. The victory also allowed Iowa to tie its longest winning streak against Illinois in history (five).
Illinois coach Lovie Smith will be using last year’s blowout as motivation to ensure Iowa doesn’t set a new high with six consecutive victories in the series this Saturday.
#illini Lovie: Yeah, we bring up the "63-0 thrashing" last year. When you play that way, you hope you get an opportunity to play better. We use everything possible to get guys ready.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 18, 2019
#illini Lovie: We were embarrassed (by Iowa) on our home field last year. Iowa's a good program. Good challenge. But we're up for the challenge.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 18, 2019
But it won’t be easy, especially at Kinnick Stadium, where Iowa just knocked off playoff-hopeful Minnesota. Iowa is 16-5 over the last three seasons at home.
Smith is unimpressed, though, as in his press conference Monday, he said “good football teams have to go to tough places and win.”
#illini Lovie: Good football teams have to go to tough places and win. I feel we're equipped to do that.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 18, 2019
However, regardless of the result Saturday, Illinois does appear to be heading in the right direction. The Fighting Illini have already won six games this season, which means they are bowl eligible for the first time under Smith and first time since 2014.
#illini Lovie: We like the position we're in. You see the program heading in the right direction. We're all in better spirits heading into game week.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 18, 2019
Iowa has dominated it lately, but Illinois still holds a 38-34-2 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.