The Virginia football’s second game of the season will take the team on the road to face the Illinois Fighting Illini. Illinois is the second of four out of conference games that the Cavaliers will play this season, along with Richmond, Coastal Carolina, and Old Dominion. As the second game of the season, this matchup will be an indicator of what Tony Elliott’s team will really look like as he will already have one game against Richmond under his belt.

It’s time to take a closer look at the second of the 2022 schedule.

Illinois Fighting Illini

• Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 – 4 p.m.
• Memorial Stadium – Champaign , Illinois (FieldTurf)
• 2021 Overall Record: 5-7 (Big 10: 4-5)
• Coach: Bret Bielema
• Last Meeting: Sept. 11, 2021 – UVA won 42-14

What To Expect on Game Day

What’s To Like: Known Quantities. Illinois’s defense, which allowed an average of 366.3 yards per game last season, will likely have a similar shape and feel to last year’s team. Returning defensive linemen Jer’Zahn Newton, Keith Randolph Jr., and Jamal Woods will be leading the charge up front for the Illini. The orange and navy blue also return leading tackler Tarique Barnes at linebacker, while also adding Calvin Hart, who is making his comeback following a season-ending injury in last year’s opening game.

In the secondary, Illinois also made minimal changes and will be expecting big performances from veteran safety Sidney Brown and cornerbacks Jartavius Martin, Devon Witherspoon, and Tahveon Nicholson. This familiar feel could play to Brennan Armstrong’s advantage because, as the old adage goes, dismantling an offense is like riding a bike – you never forget how it’s done.

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