I wrote about Kessawn Abraham helping preserve the Illinois win a couple weeks ago. Now, it is Robert Longerbeam’s turn to bask in the New Jersey sunshine. Coming into the season, I think most of us were familiar with Christian Izien, Tre Avery and Avery Young in the defensive backfield, along with the promise of 2nd year player Max Melton and incoming grad transfers Christian Braswell from Temple and Patrice Rene from UNC.
As we have seen in the B1G, the best laid plans of mice and coaches don’t always work out. Braswell underwent season-ending knee surgery this past summer, Renee missed the first 3 games and has only played in 4 of 10 overall, and Max Melton was suspended for 3 games earlier in the season.