What Lovie Smith said after Illinois' narrow loss to Purdue

Despite a gutsy effort from Illinois, Purdue edged out Lovie Smith’s squad 31-24 on Saturday afternoon.

Illinois was missing multiple players due to coronavirus and injury, but still managed to have a shot to tie the game in the final minutes.

Fourth-string quarterback Coran Taylor was 17-of-29 for 273 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Starter Brandon Peters and backup Isaiah Williams were ruled out before the game started. Illinois also lost third-stringer Matthew Robinson to an injury early in the game.

After the loss, Smith told reporters that the Illini never seriously considered cancelling the game due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Illinois will play Minnesota next week if it can limit its COVID-19 positive tests during the next week.

Here’s what Smith had to say after the game:

#illini Lovie Smith: Had enough players, and enough at a position, to play a game. Never seriously considered cancelling.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 31, 2020

#illini coach Lovie Smith: Normally one or two QBs get reps during the week. Says a lot about what Coran did as 4th-stringer.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 31, 2020

#illini coach Lovie Smith said "it's hard to tell where [the COVID contact] came from." Doesn't know if

Says they're not in a bubble.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 31, 2020

#illini Lovie Smith: Alex Pihlstrom "did an outstanding job." OL did. a good job.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 31, 2020

#illini coach Lovie Smith said he would've gone for 2 if Illinois had scored at the end.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 31, 2020

#illini LB Jake Hansen on positive COVID tests in the Big Ten: We're as safe as possible. I want everyone across the nation to know that. I think we're safer playing football than not playing football in my opinion.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 31, 2020