CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Winners of three of their final four games, the Fighting Illini soccer team hits the highway for a matchup with the big Ten West-leading Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday. Illinois and Iowa are set to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.

Illinois' (5-5, 3-four Big Ten) final two video games have featured incredible performances from backup QB John Paddock, the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. After starter Luke Altmyer left the game at Minnesota with 1:25 left within the fourth quarter, Paddock has gone 27-for-39 passing for 592 yards and five touchdown passes - together with two sport-winning touchdown passes - in Illinois' wins against Minnesota and Indiana.

Iowa (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten), also winners of again-to-back video games, has clinched at the very least a share of the massive Ten West title and might clinch a trip to Indianapolis by successful one in every of its remaining two video games towards Illinois (Nov. 18) or Nebraska (Nov. 24). The Hawkeyes protection has been among the best within the nation, rating third in the nation in scoring protection and in the top 10 in nearly every significant defensive category.

Adam Alexander and Devin Gardner have the nationally televised call on FS1. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the radio call with Brian Barnhart, Martin O'Donnell, and Michael Martin.

Press Conference

Notes

Final Regular-Season Road Trip Up Next for Illinois • Winners of three of their last 4 games, the Fighting Illini journey to Iowa looking to clinch bowl eligibility in opposition to the Hawkeyes, which have already clinched at the least a share of the big Ten West. • Illinois head coach Bret Bielema will make his first trip to his alma mater, Iowa, as Illinois' head coach. Bielema missed the 2021 game as a result of COVID protocols. Assistant head coach/extensive receivers coach George McDonald stuffed in for Bielema in Iowa City. • Bielema secured his seventh Big Ten street win in his first three seasons as Illinois' head coach with the victory at Minnesota. His seven Big Ten road wins are tied for the third-most by a head coach in Illinois history by way of their first three seasons. Only John Mackovic (9, 1988-90) and Lou Tepper (8, 1992-94) received more Big Ten highway video games of their first three seasons at Illinois than Bielema. • Bielema's 12 Big Ten wins by his first three seasons at Illinois are the most since Lou Tepper received 13 in his first three seasons from 1992-94. Bielema has the fourth-most Big Ten wins by means of three seasons among the Illini's thirteen head coaches in modern history (put up-1940). • Illinois is one win away from bowl eligibility. If the Illini win yet another game this season, they will qualify for bowls in back-to-back seasons for the primary time since 2010-11. • Illinois has gained 3+ Big Ten games in each of Bret Bielema's first three seasons as head coach. It is the primary time Illinois has gained 3+ Big Ten games in three straight seasons since 1992-94.

Paddock Has the Illini on the Brink of Bowl Eligibility • Illinois' final two video games have featured incredible performances from backup QB John Paddock. After starter Luke Altmyer left the sport at Minnesota with 1:25 left within the fourth quarter, Paddock has gone 27-for-39 passing for 592 yards and 5 touchdown passes - together with two game-profitable touchdown passes - in Illinois' wins towards Minnesota and Indiana. • In his first start at Illinois, Paddock threw for 507 yards on 24-for-36 passing final week against Indiana in considered one of the best passing performances in Illinois historical past. He set the Illini's Memorial Stadium file for passing yards, plus had the second-most passing yards in Illinois history. For his efforts, Paddock was named the large Ten Offensive Player of the Week. • In Illinois' final street recreation, the Illini had a thrilling 27-26 victory at Minnesota two weeks in the past. After Altmyer was injured, Paddock entered the sport for the first time with 1:25 remaining dealing with a 4th-and-11 from the Illinois 15-yard line with Illinois trailing by 5. He needed simply 35 seconds to drive the Illini eighty five yards on three straight completions, together with a 46-yard sport-successful touchdown throw to Isaiah Williams, who additionally caught the 22-yard pickup on fourth down to keep Illinois alive. Paddock completed 3-for-three passing for eighty five yards, one touchdown, and a 448.Zero passer rating in one of many all-time great performances by an Illini back-up quarterback. • Paddock threw for 85 yards on Illinois' remaining drive at Minnesota, regardless of solely playing 35 seconds. He completed passes of twenty-two yards, 17 yards, and 46 yards in succession to Isaiah Williams, Pat Bryant, and Isaiah Williams again on the sport-winning touchdown. • Paddock averaged 28.Three yards per try whereas going 3-for-three passing at Minnesota. Previous to Paddock, Big Ten quarterbacks coming off the bench had averaged 5.28 yards per try (111-for-205 passing for 1,082 yards) when coming off the bench in Big Ten video games over 35 appearances this season.

Four Final-Minute/OT Wins • Four of Illinois' 5 wins this season have are available in the ultimate minute or additional time. Caleb Griffin has sport-successful discipline goals to beat Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00), and Isaiah Williams has game-winning touchdown receptions from John Paddock at Minnesota (0:50) and against Indiana (OT) in each of the final two weeks. • Illinois opened its 2023 campaign in dramatic style, using a 29-yard K Caleb Griffin area goal with five seconds left to take down Toledo, 30-28, at Memorial Stadium during Week 1. • Altmyer led his second sport-successful drive of the season and Griffin drilled his second last-second game-successful subject aim to give Illinois a 27-24 upset victory at Maryland (10/14/23). • Griffin's 43-yard sport-winner at Maryland made him the first kicker to have two recreation-winning area targets (last minute) in a single season in Illinois history. • Casey Washington has two game-changing catches in the ultimate drive of wins. He had a 33-yard fourth-down catch during Illinois' closing drive to beat Toledo, then had a 29-yard catch during Illinois' closing drive at Maryland, both organising Griffin's sport-profitable area targets.

The big Ten West Race • Iowa has clinched at least a share of the big Ten West title and may clinch a visit to Indianapolis by profitable one among its remaining two video games towards Illinois (Nov. 18) or Nebraska (Nov. 24). • Despite beginning the season with a 1-four Big Ten file, Illinois has battled back into the massive Ten West race by winning its final two games. Illinois would must win its closing two video games and Iowa to lose to Nebraska (Nov. 24) for the Illini to have a shot at a trip to Indianapolis. Even with these outcomes, Illinois would nonetheless need assistance, as 5 Big Ten West teams are at the moment tied for second place at 3-4, behind the leader Iowa at 5-2.

Offensive Explosion vs. Indiana • Illinois scored forty eight points towards Indiana, the Illini's most factors since scoring fifty five vs. Minnesota on Nov. 3, 2018. Illinois also had 662 yards on offense, the primary time going over 600 yards for the reason that 2018 Minnesota recreation. • Illinois' 662 yards of offense against Indiana are probably the most by any Big Ten team this season. Illinois is the only Big Ten team to eclipse the 600-yard mark on offense this season. • Illinois' 507 passing yards in opposition to Indiana are probably the most by a giant Ten staff this season. • Illinois averaged 21.1 yards per reception, the best mark by a giant Ten staff this season and nearly an NCAA file. BYU set the NCAA document of 22.9 yards per completion with John Walsh at quarterback vs. Utah State on Oct. 30, 1993 (27 completions for 619 yards).

The Law Firm of Newton and Randolph • Defensive tackles Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton and Keith Randolph Jr., who go by the nickname "The Law Firm," are one among the highest defensive tackle duos in the nation over the past two seasons. • Newton was named to this 12 months's AP Midseason All-American First Team. He's looking to grow to be the second Illini defender to earn Consensus All-American honors in as many years, following DB Devon Witherspoon last season. Illinois has not had again-to-again years with consensus All-Americans since linebackers Dana Howard (1994) and Kevin Hardy (1995) from 1994-95. • Newton is the national leader in QB pressures among inside defenders with 39, according to PFF. Newton leads Big Ten defensive tackles by sixteen pressures with the following closest being Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr. (23). • Newton has been one of the crucial durable inside defenders within the nation, as he leads all Power-5 defensive tackles in snaps played with 611 (61.1 per sport). Newton has played 58 more snaps than some other Power-5 interior defensive lineman and ninety four greater than any Big Ten defensive deal with. • Newton's two largest video games have come in opposition to two of Illinois' best opponents. He had seven pressures towards Wisconsin, the fourth-most by any defensive deal with in the nation this season, and 6 pressures in opposition to #7 Penn State in Illinois' Big Ten opener. Newton was the very best-rated Power-5 defensive sort out within the nation throughout Week 3 vs. Penn State and Week eight vs. Wisconsin (minimal 30 snaps), based on PFF. His 94.3 grade towards Wisconsin was the very best by a big Ten defender since 2019. • Newton is tied for the national lead with three blocked kicks, along with Pitt LB Rasheem Biles. All three of Newton's blocks have come in Big Ten video games, a area-aim try vs. Penn State (9/16/23), an additional point at Purdue (9/30/23), and one other additional level vs. Indiana (11/11/23). • Randolph is third in the nation in tackles per sport among Power-5 defensive tackles with 5.1, behind only UCF's Lee Hunter (5.7) and Notre Dame's Howard Cross III (5.4). • Both Newton and Randolph have been named Preseason All-Americans by multiple shops previous to the start of the 2023 season. Newton was Illinois' first-ever Preseason AP All-American. • Newton led the nation in QB hits (19) and ranked sixth within the nation in pressures (54) in 2022. • The Law Firm led the nation in TFLs (27.0) and QB pressures (81) among D-line duos in 2022. • Newton and Randolph had been second and third in the big Ten in TFLs (14.0, 13.0) and ranked first and second amongst interior defensive linemen in 2022. • Newton tied Pitt's Calijah Kancey (14.0) for probably the most TFLs by any Power-5 interior defensive linemen in 2022, and Randolph was third (13.0). Kancey was the ACC Def. Player of the Year.

#1 Among Nation's Most Reliable • Isaiah Williams leads the massive Ten in receptions with 68, nine forward of Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., who ranks second with 59. Williams' sixty eight catches ranks thirteenth within the nation. • Williams ranks second in the massive Ten in receiving yards with 893, trailing solely Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 1,063 receiving yards. Williams' 893 yards ranks 16th in the nation. • Williams ranks second in the massive Ten in first-down receptions with 39, trailing solely Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.'s 44 first-down receptions. Williams' 39 first-down receptions ranks 14th within the nation. • Williams leads the large Ten and ranks ninth within the nation in yards after catch with 474, based on PFF. • Williams is the only player in the nation with two sport-winning touchdowns in the final minute or time beyond regulation and he did it in again-to-again games. He caught the game-winner with 50 seconds left to win at Minnesota, then had a stroll-off winner to beat Indiana one week later. • Williams has at least one catch in all 35 games since he switched from QB previous to the beginning of the 2021 season, the longest lively streak in the big Ten and tied for the eighth-longest lively streak within the nation. • Williams has no less than three catches in 24 straight games. • Williams has damaged his profession excessive in receiving yards in each of the final two games, whereas additionally tying his profession excessive in touchdowns with two in back-to-back games. He had a career-best 131 receiving yards at Minnesota (11/4/23), then shattered that mark with 200 receiving yards in opposition to Indiana (11/11/23). • Williams had the sport-profitable 46-yard TD catch at Minnesota with 50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Illinois trailing by five points, after additionally conserving the Illini alive earlier within the drive with a 22-yard reception on 4th-and-eleven from the Illinois 15-yard line with 1:25 remaining. Then, he had a 21-yard stroll-off winner in overtime to beat Indiana last week. • Williams' 200 receiving yards towards Indiana are the second-most by a participant in a big Ten game this season, behind solely Northwestern's Bryce Kirtz's 215 receiving yards towards Minnesota (9/23/23). Williams' is among 15 gamers in the nation to have a 200-yard receiving sport in a single game this season. • Williams' thirteen receptions at Minnesota are probably the most by a big Ten player this season and tied for the fifth-most by any FBS player in 2023. The 13 receptions are tied for the second-most in a single recreation in Illinois history and the most by an Illini in 35 years. • Williams is no. 2 in Illinois historical past in career receptions with 200. In the Illinois record guide, Williams trails solely College Football Hall of Famer David Williams' 262 receptions (1983-85). • Williams has 2,142 profession receiving yards, eighth all-time in Illinois historical past. • Williams is the ability-5 lively chief in receptions among players who've eligibility remaining.

Discher Leading Top-Ranked Special Teams • Illinois leads the nation in blocked kicks (5) under first-12 months coordinator Robby Discher. • PFF ranks Illinois' overall particular groups unit at #eight in the nation. Iowa's unit is rated #3. • All-American Johnny Newton has three blocked kicks (vs. Penn State, at Purdue, vs. Indiana), and the Illini have blocked punts by Ashton Hollins (at Purdue) and Ryan Meed (vs. Penn State). Iowa (3) is the one different Big Ten group with greater than two blocked kicks/punts. • Illinois and Iowa are two of only 14 groups within the nation with 2+ blocked punts. • Illinois' kick protection unit pressured and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff at Minnesota. • K Caleb Griffin is the first Illini kicker to have two sport-successful field targets in a single season. His 43-yard winner at Maryland was the second walk-off discipline objective on the street in Illinois historical past, along with Mike Bass' 46-yard winner as time expired at Wisconsin in 1982. • Griffin hit a 53-yard subject objective to finish the primary half at Purdue, his career lengthy. It was the 6th-longest in program historical past and the longest ever by an Illini in a road game. • P Hugh Robertson's common is up to 42.7 yards/punt, 2.7 better than final season.

The Illinois-Iowa Series • Saturday will be the 79th assembly between the Illini and Hawkeyes in a sequence that dates again to 1899. • Illinois and Iowa didn't play a sport from 1953-1966 due to a battle following the 1952 recreation. • Illinois leads the all-time collection 39-37-2, but trails 18-20-2 in Iowa City. • Last season, Illinois took down Iowa, 9-6, at Memorial Stadium, this system's first win over the Hawkeyes since 2008. Illini kicker Fabrizio Pinton went 3/3 on subject-goal makes an attempt, along with his 36-yard field objective with 2:49 left the difference-maker. Illinois outgained Iowa by almost ninety yards -- 121 to 32 -- in the fourth quarter, holding the Hawkeyes to zero third-down conversions and forcing one turnover in the ultimate body to seal the win. Chase Brown prolonged his 100-yard dashing streak to seven video games, recording 146 yards on 31 carries. The Illini offense notched 316 complete yards of offense -- 200 on the bottom and 116 through the air -- within the win • In Illinois' final journey to Iowa City in 2021, Illinois led 10-0 earlier than falling 33-23. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema could not make the return trip to his alma mater attributable to being remoted in COVID protocols. • Al Brosky began some of the impressive streaks in school soccer history when he intercepted a move Nov. 11, 1950 towards Iowa. That was the primary of Brosky's NCAA file 15 consecutive games with an interception. • Shawn Wax tied a program record with three touchdown receptions vs. Iowa 11/3/1990. • Dike Eddleman set an Illinois document with an 88-yard punt vs. Iowa 11/6/1948.

If you have any sort of questions pertaining to where and ways to use the travel notes, you can contact us at the web-page.