Illinois’ gamble to put Katin Houser back under center was on full display in the first half against Maryland.
After Houser broke his hand late in the third quarter against Michigan State on October 10 and had surgery, Bret Bielema said, “he’ll be out for a considerable amount of time.” Michael Clayton II filled in and delivered wins over Michigan State and Oregon, then had a chance to make it three straight victories for Illinois. Instead, the Illini went back to Houser on Saturday, and the move raised eyebrows from the start because the injury was to his throwing hand and the surgery had happened only three weeks earlier.
The first half looked exactly like the kind of risk many would have feared. Houser struggled to find a rhythm, finishing 11-of-19 for 134 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The ball was off target too often, even on completions, and the timing between Houser and his receivers never really settled in. One clear example came on a catch by Collin Dixon down the left sideline, where the throw was badly underthrown.
Illinois managed just seven points in the half despite facing a Maryland defense that has been giving up 38.8 points per game, a figure that ranks No. 132 out of 138 teams in the FBS.
The defense, meanwhile, kept dragging Illinois back into the game. Houser was hit several times, including once on the hand when it struck a Maryland player’s helmet, and the wrap on it was obvious.
Still, the Illini defense kept answering. On Maryland’s first drive, after Houser threw an interception, the Terrapins got to the one-yard line before Illinois forced a fumble.
Later, with Maryland up 7-0 and driving again, the Illini came up with an interception.
Through the first 30 minutes, Illinois’ defense had to do the heavy lifting while the offense struggled to move the ball. The decision to rush Houser back was already looking costly.
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