Illini coach Lovie Smith: ‘Brandon Peters is our starting quarterback’
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Lovie Smith made no hesitation when asked about his starting quarterback for the future.
The Illini fourth-year head coach made it clear Monday that Brandon Peters will be his starting quarterback if he’s medically cleared to play. Peters (concussion) was held out for last weekend’s 42-25 loss to Michigan due to failing his concussion protocol test earlier in the week. When asked if backup quarterback Matt Robinson had pushed Peters for the starting job following his performance against Michigan, Smith immediately ended that potential controversy leading into Homecoming week vs. No. 6 Wisconsin.
“No, Brandon Peters is our starting quarterback,” Smith said. “Our backup quarterback played well for parts of the last game but when our starting quarterback is ready to go, he’ll go.”
Smith was not willing to provide details Monday as to the health status of Peters or freshman Isaiah Williams, who suffered an undisclosed injury in the first half vs. Michigan. Once again, Smith maintained the starting quarterback announcement for the game this weekend vs. No. 6 Wisconsin (11 a.m., BTN) will likely be a game-time decision.
“As we get to practice (Tuesday), of course, we’re not going to let you know, but we’ll know a lot better about our injury situation,” Smith said.
Matt Robinson got his first career start last weekend and completed 16 of 25 for 192 and two total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) against Michigan.
“Third quarter, loved what he did,” Smith said. “We got down 28-0 and we needed good quarterback play to bring us back. He had to make a lot of good throws, he was active and he made some plays with his feet.”
The redshirt freshman was behind center for all of the 25 unanswered points against the Wolverines that brought the Illini to a three-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
"I thought he battled," Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said. "I thought there were a lot of plays he made that kept us in the ball game. Besides those last two drives, I thought overall he had a pretty good day."
Peters, the transfer from Michigan with a year of eligibility remaining following the 2019 campaign, won the starting job during fall camp and is still 41st in the nation in passing touchdowns (10) this season.