Tate For Illini, Duke throwback offers a bruising challenge

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Sep. 7—In 100 years, dating to the Red Grange era of the 1920s, no position in American sports has been more electric, more heart-stopping than a crazy-legged running back cracking the line of scrimmage with 11 angry rivals bent on doing him harm.

This is not to overlook the breath-taking dunks by Michael Jordan and basketball's prolific leapers, but if you ever saw Gale Sayers' change of direction, that's it.

Illinois' Galloping Ghost was the first of his kind, so dynamic that he went on a body-bruising, postseason tour so fans throughout the country could see his eye-popping cutbacks.

And so it went through the decades, highlighted by Michigan's Tommy Harmon in 1940 to, appropriately, Army's Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis in World War II's aftermath. Stories are still told about the great Jim Brown, USC's O.J.Simpson (among others there), Texas' Earl Campbell and Georgia's Herschel Walker.

But by the time a bone-crunching Ron Dayne revived Wisconsin in the late 1990s, spread formation quarterbacks had stolen the spotlight with all-out passing. Only three running backs have won the Heisman Trophy since 2000. NFL drafting reflects the change, as do collegiate NIL deals and NFL salaries.

The running back is a near-forgotten position. They've been overtaken and swept aside by the passers.

On tap: A Duke throwback

This football history is repeated today because Illinois will host Duke and a genuine throwback named Nate Sheppard this Saturday.

Sheppard is 205 pounds of dynamite. He topped 1,100 yards rushing as a freshman in an aerial offense last year. Operating behind a strong offensive line this past Saturday, the Blue Devils sophomore blasted Tulane for a nation-leading 227 yards on 35 carries in a 17-3 triumph. Duke thus avenged a 34-27 loss to Tulane a year ago when current Miami quarterback Darian Mensah passed for 313 yards in defeat.

Duke has changed. New quarterback Walker Eget overthrew multiple receivers as passers on both sides were erratic on Saturday. Sheppard was the difference with a twisting, tackle-breaking show.

The significance in this message is that Duke's strength will be pitted where the Illinois defense appears weakest … at the line of scrimmage.

Change is good?

Illini coach Bret Bielema protected new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck when he shouldered the blame for his team's shoddy tackling in last Thursday night's 42-23 defeat of UAB … Bielema saying he sharply limited full-tackle scrimmages to protect his athletes from injuries.

Others pointed to the implementation of Hauck's mobile 3-3-5 system as part of the problem. But good tacklers make plays in any system. And after employing recent up-front pros like Johnny Newton, Gabe Jacas and James Thompson Jr., it doesn't appear Illinois' current front six has drawn any NFL interest.

UAB had the ball eight times. The Blazers enjoyed Illinois territory on seven of them, and reached their own 49 on the other. They amassed 24 first downs and 413 yards, only to see nine penalties chill their efforts more so than Illinois combativeness.

In order, they marched 43 yards, then committed a holding penalty on an 18-yard run. They marched 73 yards to the 2-yard line, then a false start. They moved 21 yards before two penalties. They penetrated to the Illini 4-yard line, then a false start. They marched 50 yards and scored a touchdown to pull within 14-13.

We're still in the first half, and they drove to the Illinois 17 where the Illini held, for the first time without the help of a penalty.

Room to improve

Illinois toughened in the second half and looked back on four game-turning plays: Mac Resetich's early 65-yard punt return, Ca'Lil Valentine's 51-yard touchdown scamper, the Hail Mary steal by Ty Robinson (unlike the Michigan game, it occurred before the clock ran out) and the 59-yard pick-six by Ismael Kante.

To wrap it up, Katin Houser was an excellent 13 for 17 with his passes, but the defense gave no indication that it can repulse a strong running game.

Bielema and Hauck are looking for serious Game 1 to Game 2 improvement when Sheppard comes to town. He excels at what was once the most electric position in all of sport.

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