Illinois has chance to show growth against Rutgers
Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (5) breaks up a pass intended for Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Illinois defeated Penn State 20-18 in nine overtimes. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (5) breaks up a pass intended for Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Illinois defeated Penn State 20-18 in nine overtimes. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Oct. 23, 2021 05:07 PM EDT
Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) is tackled by Rutgers linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) is tackled by Rutgers linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Oct. 16, 2021 02:15 PM EDT
FILE - Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Sitkowski will miss the rest of the season after breaking his left arm against Penn State, and Brandon Peters will start the Illini's home game against Rutgers on Saturday. Coach Bret Bielema announced Monday, Oct. 25, that Sitkowski would have surgery on his arm Wednesday and have another operation in two to four weeks to correct a chronic problem in his right shoulder. Bielema said Sitkowski would miss spring practice and should be full strength next fall.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

FILE - Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Sitkowski will miss the rest of the season after breaking his left arm against Penn State, and Brandon Peters will start the Illini's home game against Rutgers on Saturday. Coach Bret Bielema announced Monday, Oct. 25, that Sitkowski would have surgery on his arm Wednesday and have another operation in two to four weeks to correct a chronic problem in his right shoulder. Bielema said Sitkowski would miss spring practice and should be full strength next fall.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Oct. 26, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral throws a pass against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral throws a pass against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Oct. 16, 2021 01:40 PM EDT
Illinois tight end Luke Ford (82) reaches for a pass that fell incomplete as Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) looks on during overtime of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Illinois defeated Penn State 20-18 in the ninth overtime. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Illinois tight end Luke Ford (82) reaches for a pass that fell incomplete as Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) looks on during overtime of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Illinois defeated Penn State 20-18 in the ninth overtime. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Oct. 23, 2021 06:05 PM EDT
Illinois wide receiver Carlos Sandy (11) and linebacker Khalan Tolson (45) celebrate their 20-18 victory over Penn State in the ninth overtime of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Illinois wide receiver Carlos Sandy (11) and linebacker Khalan Tolson (45) celebrate their 20-18 victory over Penn State in the ninth overtime of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Oct. 23, 2021 05:17 PM EDT