Illini back Anderson making up for lost time
- Story byThe News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
- Illini back Anderson making up for lost time
Oct. 28—CHAMPAIGN — The clock read 4 minutes, 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter on Saturday with the Illinois football team clinging to a 14-10 lead against Oregon.
Then came Jordan Anderson's time to shine.
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Facing third-and-3 from the Illini's own 41-yard line, Anderson took the ball and gashed the Ducks' defense for 33 yards. Anderson's career-long run moved Illinois to the Oregon 26. Three plays later, quarterback Michael Clayton II hit Collin Dixon for the clinching touchdown pass in Illinois' 21-10 victory.
But Dixon's gravity-defying catch doesn't happen without Anderson's third-down conversion. How do we know? Because Illinois coach Bret Bielema said he would not have gone for it on fourth down.
We'll never know.
Anderson's fourth-quarter burst was part of his career-best day. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound fifth-year running back from Naperville who starred at Joliet Catholic finished with 67 yards on 11 carries, the most carries and yards for him as an Illini.
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How is Anderson feeling?
"I'm having a lot of fun in the running back room," Anderson said on Tuesday at the Smith Center. "Having Coach (Tyrone) Wheatley and Coach (Barry) Lunney, it's been a fun season overall."
Of course, he's not going to take much credit for his success. That is not the running back way.
"The offensive line cleared it up," Anderson said after the Illini rushed for a season-high 225 yards against Oregon. ... "It felt good to help the team's momentum and stay on the field."
He didn't jump up and ask for another carry. For Anderson, the team is the thing.
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"Spread the ball all around," Anderson said, "and we all make plays."
Earlier in the game, Anderson saw teammate Aidan Laughery sprint 75 yards for a touchdown.
"That was a great play by Aidan," Anderson said. "It definitely got us going."
Anderson has seen his time at Illinois sideswiped by injuries and position changes (he worked at tight end in 2025).
After redshirting in 2022, Anderson missed the 2023 season with a torn ACL.
Familiar territory
Anderson's playing time has increased in part because of a season-ending injury suffered by teammate Ca'Lil Valentine against Purdue.
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Anderson is helping Valentine as he works toward returning to the field in 2027.
"I talk to him a lot. Text him all the time," Anderson said. "Obviously, I've been there with my ACL. Just making sure I'm there as a brother."
Anderson makes sure to include Valentine in the game.
"I was running on the field and saw him when I was getting introduced and wanted to give him a little head butt," Anderson said. "He means a lot to us, and we're there for him. We wanted him to know that."
Anderson's success this season provides proof for Valentine that he will get better.
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"Ca'Lil is a hard worker," Anderson said. "He's going to do what he has to do to get back on the field. I know he's going to attack rehab."
The hardest part of being out for Anderson was the mental side of missing time.
He's determined to help Valentine get through it. Even if desserts are involved.
"I joke around with him," Anderson said. "I want him to know I'm there for him if he ever needs anything. He likes banana pudding, so I've got someone making banana pudding. But he thinks he makes the best banana pudding in the world."
Anderson said he never considered giving up.
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"I just took it day by day and attacked rehab," he said.
On his side
Anderson's coaches and teammates are excited to see him get his opportunity and run with it.
"Obviously really happy for him, proud of him," Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller said. "I remember him on his recruiting trip and then he bounced around between two rooms (running back and tight end) for a while."
Before his recent success, Anderson had a role.
"We always felt like we could use him in those short-yardage situations," Miller said. "We thought he always had great vision. I think as a back — I'm not a running backs coach, but I've been around a lot of great ones — and the best ones have always had great vision."
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Anderson put his vision to good use in the Music City Bowl, with a fourth-down conversion late in Illinois' postseason victory against Tennessee.
Anderson's long gain against Oregon didn't surprise Miller.
"You could just see how he found that hole and ran downhill," Miller said. "He was going to get the first down whether it was going to be a 30-yard gain or the 3 yards we needed."
Anderson has got plenty of support in the stands. His dad Johnny and stepmom Tracy are there every game. His mom Michelle attends every game. So does girlfriend Ava Waters.
"She supports me," he said. "I love to have her on my side."
