Last Saturday’s 35-24 win over Illinois was not just the first Power Five win in 2017, nor was it just the first conference win since October 2015. It was also the first start this season for quarterback Gio Rescigno. Gio started five games last season, but had been passed over this year in favor of graduate transfer Kyle Bolin. However, following the 56-0 shellacking at the hands of Ohio State, the coaches decided to reopen the quarterback position and determine whether to make a change from Bolin.
Reopening the quarterback position was a necessary jolt to the team.