Fight On State is reporting the information today that we all hoped to see: Evans and Koroma are coming back.

Here’s what you need to know, excerpted from the article:

“Yeah, both Mo and Abe were back today,” one observer said. “Who knows how much action they’ll see this week? Depends on the shape they are in and how the coaches — or at least one coach — feels about it.”

As another observer explained, “Both of them got into drills today and were in the red jersey. I thought Maurice looked pretty good in his technique drills. I didn’t get to see much of Abe, but others said he looked like he could contribute [this week].”

Considering the phenomenon that has been Aaron Maybin [well documented by the Collegian today] and the resurgence of Josh Gaines, getting Maurice Evans back gives this team the best three defensive ends in the Big Ten, and possibly in the NCAA.  Getting Koroma back, though, is going to be huge for the DL, as injuries have really weakened the tackle position so much that we’ve had to put backup OL Mike Lucian back there.

We’ll have our Illinois preview up later in the week, but if these guys are going to play on Saturday, even if it’s just half the snaps they’d normally see, it still is bad news for Illinois.  Juice Williams won’t have the time he needs to throw the ball effectively, and we all know how much a great pass rush can help out a shaky secondary.  I’m going to be camping out intermittently over the next week, and I’m hoping my first Paternoville experience goes well.  Wish me luck.

We got a game with Illinois this Saturday.  And that means only one thing…

Bad News for Illinois!