No. 1 back in loss Love totaled 11 carries for 40 yards and hauled in his only target for seven yards during the 19-10 defeat against Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2. Impact Love logged double-digit rushing attempts for the second game in a row while filling in for bell-cow back Chase Brown, who opted out for the 2023 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11 backup also carried the bulk of Illinois' rushing workload with 235-pound sophomore Josh McCray in his first game back after a three-game hiatus due to a lower-leg injury. Love did a solid job as the lead back, though he was able to break out many significant rushes due to his offensive line's struggles against the Mississippi State defensive front. Love finished the 2022 campaign with 70 rushes for 316 yards and two touchdowns across 13 appearances, and he should be in line to compete with McCray for carries heading into spring practices.
JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE