College

Lovie Smith has Named his Starting Quarterback

The Illini will go with a graduate transfer at QB1 for the second straight season.

by
Jonnie Nonnie
August 20, 2019

This afternoon, Lovie Smith announced that Brandon Peters, a graduate transfer from Michigan, will be the Illini starting quarterback when they host the Akron Zips on August 31st.

QB1 ➡️ Brandon Peters@LovieSmith has officially announced the Game 1 #Illini starting QB.

🔗 https://t.co/4OiYrJ4j3F pic.twitter.com/kOmHXApw3c
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 20, 2019

Peters was a four-star recruit out of high school but never got an extended look under center after his redshirt freshman season at Michigan. He threw for four touchdowns and 680 yards in eight games over two seasons for the Wolverines.

Passing Table
						Passing
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	AY/A	TD	Int	Rate
*2017	Michigan	Big Ten	SO	QB	6	57	108	52.8	672	6.2	6.1	4	2	113.6
*2018	Michigan	Big Ten	JR	QB	2	1	2	50.0	8	4.0	-18.5	0	1	-16.4
2019	Illinois	Big Ten	JR	QB
Career	Overall					58	110	52.7	680	6.2	5.7	4	3	111.2

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 8/20/2019.

With the decision to start Peters, Lovie Smith has elected to go the graduate transfer route at QB1 once again this season, just as he did last year by starting Virginia Tech transfer AJ Bush over M.J. Rivers II. Peters will be starting over talented freshman Isaiah Williams this season.

Though Peters gets the nod from the get-go, Williams should still see the field this season, as Peters is more of a pro-style quarterback and Williams has the athletic ability to make plays with both his arm and his feet.

Featured Photo: FightingIllini.com

Jonnie Nonnie

BS-Broadcast Journalism - University of Illinois 2016 | Engagement Director for SoxOn35th.com | Editor-in-Chief at OnTapSportsNet.com | Panelist on Four Feathers Podcast and Sox On Tap

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