Illinois confirms Ferguson will miss game at No. 22 Iowa

The senior has 397 yards and three touchdowns on 71 carries for the Illini (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten). But Iowa’s rush defense is stout. “You go through the peaks, you go through the valleys and you have a chance to really evaluate things, evolve hopefully and make changes that are going to be productive”. Wisconsin might have killed itself with mistakes, but Iowa’s D had a lot to do with them in the 10-6 victory.

Illinois starting running back Josh Ferguson will not play in Saturday’s game at Iowa due to a right shoulder injury, the team announced Thursday. Smith has a knee sprain in will likely be out until Iowa plays Maryland on October. 31. Offensive coordinator and former Western Michigan head coach Bill Cubit was promoted to the position left vacant by Beckman on an interim basis, and is certainly making his case for maintaining the job permanently. Illinois has been able to score so far this season in five games, but they’re really played nobody of substance except North Carolina, which drilled the Fighting Illini.

“It’s a very typical Kirk Ferentz team, ” Cubit said.

ALL HAIL KING: Iowa cornerback Desmond King earned national recognition this week by being named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Player of the Week for picking off two passes against the Badgers.

True freshman running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn to start. Ke’Shawn Vaughn led in rushing with 98 yards in 24 carries.

Iowa’s first game as a Top 25 team in five years could be its last for a while if it can’t beat Illinois.

The Illini travel to Iowa City to play the Hawkeyes (5-0, 1-0) on Saturday in a Big Ten West division clash.