Illini football quick hits | Game Week: Purdue, Part III

Illinois defensive assistants and players were available Wednesday as preparation continued for the No. 23 Illini ahead of Saturday's game against Purdue. Here's some of what was said, courtesy beat writer Scott Richey:

Staying confident

Torrie Cox Jr. committed to Illinois in May less than a week after Corey Parker was hired to coach the Illini's cornerbacks. The two connected immediately. A high-energy assistant and a veteran, yet undersized defensive back still trying to prove himself as he moved up from the MAC to the Big Ten after three seasons at Ohio. Cox has worked his way into a pivotal role in Illinois' rotation at cornerback and has Parker to thank for his continued development.

"He's on us every day about just being confident in our technique," Cox said of Parker. "He's seen us do it already. It's not too much on the field stuff. It's keeping it in your head you know you can do it and go out there and play like it. It's tough, but when it's something you've been doing for a little minute and you're repetitive at it you know in your head you can do it. Shoot, the only person who can stop you is you, for real. That's how I think about it."

Technique is key

The role Alex Bray played in the Illinois defense in 2023 as a true freshman was a small one. The Chesterfield, Mo., native did appear in eight games, but was used sparingly. That experience did provide the framework for Bray to step into a bigger role this season where he's totaled nine tackles in five games and is coming off a career high three tackles in the Illini's game at Penn State. At 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, though, Bray has to lean on his technique at defensive line against always bigger offensive linemen.

"It's fun going against the offensive lines because it's a challenge," Bray said. "Especially at my size it's a big emphasis on technique — getting your hands inside, being able to hold the point of attack. During our (individual drills in practice) we do a lot of technique work to make sure we're doing the right things, we're taking the right steps. (Defensive line coach Terrance Jamison) really emphasizes that. Every practice we have pre-practice where we make sure we do hand placement, footwork and extension."

The tackling question

Technique was also a point of emphasis for Illinois' linebackers during the bye week. Defensive coordinator Aaron Henry made a point of noting the 17 missed tackles at Penn State compared to just five missed tackles at Nebraska. The Illini beat the Cornhuskers and lost to the Nittany Lions. There might not be a firm, direct line between missed tackles and results, but it's there. Henry likened double-digit missed tackles to opening Pandora's box.

"The biggest thing we've got to clean up is technique," Illinois linebackers coach Archie McDaniel said. "We've tackled well in some situations. Then we haven't tackled well in some situations. The focus coming off the bye week has been technique, hand placement, proper eyes and just finishing on the ball carrier. ... There will never be a time with any of our guys where we will be like, 'OK, he's doing everything great.' The room for growth and improvement will always be there."