Coach Mike Leach owns the collegiate franchise on aerial innovation.
His two quarterbacks at Washington State passed for 5,732 yards last season, which is 477.7 yards per game. That’s 866 more than runner-up Western Kentucky and 2,025 more than better-balanced Big Ten passing leader Ohio State.
With practices underway and Wes Lunt at the controls, Illinois must follow the Leach pattern. Summer passing drills serve as a preparation for what’s to come.
Clear the airways. Alert the air traffic controllers. Here come the Illini.
They’re obliged to emphasize passing because, when they meet North Carolina and Big Ten teams in their physical category, they have no other schematic choice.