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What Illinois coach Lovie Smith said at his Monday press conference
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2020 has not been kind to many people, including Illinois coach Lovie Smith.
After some solid recruiting, Smith and his team had heightened expectations coming into this season. So far, the Illini are not even close to that as they’ve gone 0-2 and not impressed many in either game.
Next up, Illinois faces a Minnesota squad also missing expectations badly. One of these teams will leave this game with a win.
Here’s what Smith had to say Monday at his regularly scheduled press conference ahead of Saturday’s game.
#illini Lovie Smith: "We have to play better pass defense than that." Pleased with run defense. pic.twitter.com/g7UZ0JvgVT
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith: Owen Carney had three sacks and should've had two others.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith: All players who were out last week will be out this week as well.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith drops a Henry Melton mention when discussing Johnny Newton.
If Jamal Woods can't go this week, we feel comfortable going with Newton.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith: Matt Robinson "is getting better." Don't know the extent of his availability for this week. Not out for the year. We hope sooner than later.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith says they have had no more positive tests since Thursday but adds that there are more positive tests across the country. Reiterating to plays to follow protocols, but that they've done well largely for the last few months.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith: "We can't afford to have any others [positive tests]" without putting games into jeopardy. https://t.co/y2pljn74R6
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#illini Lovie Smith says "you can't trace" where players got the virus. "Guys don't live in a bubble. It's hard to trace it anyway."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#ilini Lovie Smith: Peters and Moore have "mild symptoms, no symptoms really."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#ilini Lovie Smith "Yes, there's a sense of urgency, especially when you're two games in the hole, to get your first win. You get your first win when you play your best ball."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
#ilini Lovie Smith: "Must-win? Hard to say must. It's a game we need to win. …It's a game we're going to do everything we possibly can to win."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 2, 2020
Looking forward to Illinois’ need-to-win matchup against Minnesota.