LOREN TATE ON THE FUTURE OF ILLINI QB WES LUNT -- If Wes Lunt is the quarterback, a way must be found to develop a running attack to offset his passes. In making use of Lunt’s strong arm, Illinois is going against the modern wave of run-pass QBs who use misdirection keepers and the zone reads to keep defenses honest. Few teams successfully move the ball on the ground without a mobile quarterback. For that reason, Bill Cubit should take a long look at Aaron Bailey and redshirt Chayce Crouch this spring before handing over the position to Lunt. As Reilly O’Toole demonstrated in the spring game, he is more efficient in moving the sticks because of his modest running skills. He kept rivals guessing, and that’s the idea. Lunt saved the day in some September comebacks against lesser foes, but O’Toole excelled against stiffer competition and was more durable. He essentially saved Beckman’s job. O’Toole entered late in the Iowa game Nov. 15 and had 7- and 17-yard runs in an 89-yard march that pulled Illinois within 30-14. He entered before halftime against Penn State, and tied the game 7-7 with a pre-halftime march that led to a 16-14 win. And he ran for 147 yards and passed for 147 more Saturday. These serve to remind how difficult it can be when the quarterback is one-dimensional.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 16:44:00 +0000
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