Which Duck gets the QB call? Illini preparing for both
· Yahoo Sports
Oct. 23—CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema knows who will be playing quarterback for Illinois on Saturday: Michael Clayton II making his first start against Oregon. (Check out Scott Richey's story on B-1).
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And Bielema knows who won't be playing for Oregon ... again. Dante Moore, who entered the season as a Heisman Trophy contender will miss his third consecutive start after suffering a concussion against Southern California.
On the Big Ten's mandated injury report released Wednesday, Moore was listed as out.
"I don't know if you guys (media) know this, but as soon as you list someone as out on a Wednesday, they can't play," Bielema said Thursday at the Smith Center.
That means either Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola or Brock Thomas will start for the 4-2 Ducks.
"Going into (Wednesday's practice) we obviously didn't get the report until (Wednesday night), so you thought you had to play for all three," Bielema said.
The ball is now in Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer's court.
"As a coordinator, he was a guy that really caters to the strengths of his football team," Bielema said. "It's a little bit of catch all. What you've got to do is realize the quarterback's in charge, but I think the offensive coordinator is in charge of where the ball's going. They've got really good players at all positions.
Raiola came off the bench Saturday against Nebraska to lead the Ducks to a 17-14 victory after Oregon had seven punts and only scored two field goals through three quarters with Thomas as the starter at QB.
For the season, Raiola has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 515 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. Thomas, meanwhile, is 23 for 40 throwing with 226 passing yards along with one touchdown and one interception.
Neither Raiola or Thomas are threats as runners.
Big stakes
Illinois is looking for its first winning streak of the season. Previous victories against UAB and Southern Illinois were followed by losses to Duke and Ohio State.
Illinois is coming off an overtime win at Michigan State, which was followed by its lone open week of the season.
Oregon is playing in Champaign for the first time since 1993. A controversial fumble call in that game helped the Ducks escape with a 13-7 win.
"I think our fans will be excited," Bielema said. "I'm sure we'll have a great crowd. Super excited for the moment."
Creating holes
The Brandons (Henderson and Hansen) are settling in on the right side of the offensive line at guard and tackle, respectively.
"There's not a kid I loved more in the recruiting process than Brandon Hansen," Bielema said. "He's been here a couple years and I kept trying to find a way to reach him."
Bielema credits offensive line coach Bart Miller.
"Bart's doing an extremely good job," Bielema said. "Over the last two weeks, he had not only played well, but he had practiced well. His maturity."
The solid work by the Brandons allows Illinois to keep Nathan Knapik at left tackle, where he is more comfortable.
On his mind
On Wednesday, Bielema reached out to Mike Locksley, who was fired by Maryland in the middle of his eighth season with the Terrapins posting a 39-54 record during his time in College Park, Md., and currently on a 12-game Big Ten losing streak.
"Locks and I are extremely close," Bielema said. "He's a guy that I love in this profession. He and I are on a couple committees together."
Bielema understands what Locksley is going through.
"As a coach, I've been let go," Bielema said. "I grew the most the moment somebody told me I wasn't good enough. I've always opened my heart and opened my thoughts to guys that are in that situation."
Bielema talked to Clay Helton after he was fired by Southern Cal and asked him to visit Illinois.
With Maryland on the Illinois schedule on Oct. 31, don't expect Locksley on campus in the coming weeks.
"I think Locks is an extremely talented (coach)," Bielema said. "Maryland did what they had to do, but it's unfortunately part of the business we're in. The least person I'm worried about is Locks. He's extremely talented, extremely gifted human being."