It’s been a long journey back to the field for Mike Dudek. The junior has missed two straight years with ACL injuries after a breakout freshman campaign for Illinois. He played like he was never gone. He showcased his ability to make tough catches and his pure, nasty, badass, American speed.
Dudek did not fill up the stat sheet against Ball State. He had 2 catches for 47 yards with a TD, and also returned three punts for 55 yards, but Dudek made two of the most important plays of the game for the Illini.
He put Illinois on the board with a fantastic catch with a defender draped all over him in the first quarter.