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Here’s what Lovie Smith said following Illinois’ loss to Minnesota
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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.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.