Backup John Paddock passed for 507 yards against the Hoosiers a week after coming in cold to lead the winning drive against Wisconsin. Illinois: QB Luke Altmyer was named the starter after missing last week's overtime win over Indiana because of injury. Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams, left, celebrates his game winning touchdown with wide receiver Casey Washington during the overtime period of an NCAA college football game against Indiana Saturday, Nov. Iowa has an elite pass defender in Sebastian Castro but took a big blow this week when Cooper DeJean suffered a season-ending leg injury in practice. The Illini average 261 yards passing per game to rank third in the Big Ten, and they averaged 21.1 yards per reception against Indiana last week with backup quarterback John Paddock.
Illinois will be bowl-eligible two years in a row for the first time since 2011 if it beats Iowa a second straight time. Iowa clinched a share of the Big Ten West title last week and would lock up a spot in the conference championship game with a win against the Illini or against Nebraska next week.
