Illinois football is 1-1 on the season after a promising but ultimately disappointing home loss to Duke Saturday that had coach Bret Bielema in his feelings afterward. The Fighting Illini led 24-21 at halftime but a third quarter Blue Devils touchdown proved to be the difference in a 31-27 Duke road win. 

A small silver lining came after the game as one of Illinois' top performers, receiver Collin Dixon, was given recognition from the well known football scouting website Pro Football Focus that he will carry forward with him for the rest of the year. 

Dixon scored the Fighting Illini's first three touchdowns against the Devils from 13, 40, and two yards out while continuing to build his rapport with starting quarterback Katin Houser.

He finished with 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns on a day when one of the Illini's all-time greats at the position, Brandon Lloyd, was honored as honorary team captain. 

The performance landed Dixon on PFF's Team of the Week at the Flex O position, alongside two other wide receivers, Jesse Legree of Oregon State and Reed Harris of Arizona State.

The 6-foot-1, 215 pound native of Tallmadge, Ohio is a smooth route-runner with a big, physical body he uses to shield defenders and haul in catches from all angles. Houser's ability to put touch on his passes has given Dixon plenty of opportunities to use his superb body control and sticky hands to haul in big catch after big catch, but the Fighting Illini need more from their receiver room. 

 Dixon looks like a potential First Team All-Big Ten selection this season and possible All-American, but the Illini passing game needs help as it prepares to face Southern Illinois this coming week.   

Balance is lacking in the Illinois passing game as Houser hasn't been able to find other receivers for big plays with any sort of consistency.

Hudson Clement finished second on the team in receiving with four catches for 45 yards against Duke while Brayden Trimble finished third with three catches for 17 yards. Ty Robinson, who caught a Hail Mary pass from Houser against the UAB Blazers, was next with two catches for 13 yards.

Houser looks like one of the Big Ten's better quarterbacks and a pro prospect, but he wilted under pressure in the fourth quarter as Duke began to key in on his tendency to force the ball to Dixon.

Illinois needs star transfer Jayshon Platt back in the worst way, ideally for this week's game as he needs to get his feet wet before Sept. 26's big game in Columbus, Ohio against Ohio State.