Champaign, Ill. – Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is looking for continued improvement from his squad after a much-needed bye week.
Illinois (3-3) took down Michigan State in an overtime thriller a week and a half ago and now hosts Oregon this Saturday.
The teams share some similarities, as both have dealt with quarterback injuries this season.
However, the Ducks’ (4-2) quarterback situation is still a question mark heading into the matchup, while the Illini are hoping Michael Clayton can continue to prove he might be the future QB1.
Clayton’s first start
It will almost 100% be Clayton trotting out into Memorial Stadium on Saturday as the starting Illinois quarterback; however, that doesn’t mean Carson Boyd hasn’t been getting a lot of reps as well.
Bielema explained that under normal circumstances, the starting quarterback would receive limited work during the bye week. However, the injuries and inexperience in Illinois’ quarterback room created an opportunity for additional development.
“It’s not just to have the bye week; it’s what you do with it,” Bielema said. “And I think those two guys in particular took full advantage of every rep.”
Clayton, the true freshman from Florida, was thrust into the middle of a close Big Ten game on the road – hardly the best environment for any player to make their collegiate debut, let alone a quarterback.
“Obviously Michael was thrown into a really hard environment there and for him to communicate in the huddle wasn’t the same, and that’s why there was a little bit of turbulence there at the beginning,” Bielema said.
Bielema also emphasized that becoming a starting quarterback involves more than simply knowing the playbook.
“Part of the thing about being a starting quarterback is being able to maintain your physical and mental stability for a 60-minute game, which lasts three hours,” Bielema said.
Bielema has a rich history of loving transfer quarterbacks – Russell Wilson, Luke Altmyer and Tommy DeVito – but Clayton and Boyd could break that streak.
“I had said several times that hopefully the next starter comes from within our program,” Bielema said. “Michael and Carson both are very, very strong players at the positions they play.”
Oregon’s QB situation
Heading into the season, Dante Moore was the Ducks’ starting quarterback – and he had real Heisman prospects.
However, after a dirty hit by a USC defender three weeks ago, Moore has been out with a concussion.
As of Tuesday night, Moore is still presumed to be out for Saturday’s contest, but not completely out of the picture.
The probable two starters for the Ducks will be either Dylan Raiola or Brock Thomas.
Raiola came in to replace Moore against USC and balled out, getting the Ducks the win. However, the next week against UCLA, the former Nebraska quarterback struggled and was eventually pulled for Thomas.
Then last week against Nebraska, the exact opposite happened. Thomas struggled in the first three quarters and was then pulled for Raiola. Raiola then got the win against his former team.
Logic would suggest Oregon head coach Dan Lanning go back to Raiola this week; however, the Illini know him.
“Raiola is obviously a very accomplished player,” Bielema said.
Raiola squared off against the Illini as a freshman in 2024, a game Illinois won.
He threw for 297 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
“You got to almost prepare for possibly three quarterbacks on Saturday. But we’ll kind of handle that during the course of the week and see where that goes,” Bielema said.
With all the talent in the Oregon quarterback room, the task will be tall for an Illini defense that has been ravaged throughout the year. However, Bielema’s past experience against Raiola could matter on Saturday.
The scout might also be hard for the Ducks, considering the only collegiate film on Clayton was the second half against Michigan State.
The Illini will take on the Ducks on Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium at 2 p.m. on Big Ten Network.