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Dan Lanning highlights key changes for Illinois from last season
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Dan Lanning knows Oregon has its work cut out for it this weekend against Illinois.
Oregon is No. 1 in the AP Poll for the 1st time in 12 years, and the 7-0 Ducks will have the big, fat target on their backs that comes with being the top-ranked team in the land. This Saturday, that work will begin in earnest against an Illinois team that’s ranked 20th, and Oregon’s head coach has all the respect for what the 6-1 Fighting Illini have done so far this season.
“Well, I mean, they’re doing an unbelievable job attacking the ball and protecting the ball,” Lanning said during his weekly press conference on Monday night. “I think the quarterback (has) thrown one interception this season, you know, I think they’ve had eight picks on defense and caused 10 fumbles on defense. So, they’re a team that swarms. When you can win the turnover margin, you’re going to have a lot of success.”
Illinois went 5-7 last season as quarterback Luke Altmyer threw 10 interceptions against just 13 touchdowns. He also averaged 7 yards per pass attempt. Altmyer has already thrown 15 touchdown passes this season and is a little over a game away from surpassing his yardage output from last year.
Lanning also complimented the Illini’s ability to play balanced football in all phases.
“They’ve outrushed several of their opponents. … They’re really sound in special teams, do a really good job in special teams and have dynamic returns,” he said. “So, I think all those things, they’re playing really complementary football.
“And their quarterback is athletic. They have two good wideouts that do a really good job. So, they are a balanced team. And when you have good balance, it’s hard to take away team strengths.”
The Ducks and Fighting Illini will kick things off on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.