Each week, I’m tasked with finding the performer of the game for Illinois. The first two weeks were simple: Mikey Dudek made big plays in his first game in over two years, and Mike Epstein dazzled against Western Kentucky in week two.
Praising an individual after a 47-23 defeat Friday night to No. 22 South Florida seemed like the equivalent of “Good job, good effort” after the Illini were smoked on national television, but I’ll bite. I’m opting for the full moral victory and tell you that the Illini’s performer(s) of the game Friday night were the true freshmen that played.