Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Shootout at the Big House

So after a couple impressive games, the Illini headed to the Big House to take on the Wolverines.

Paul Petrino and his offense had proved their ability to score, and they reinforced that on Saturday. They scored again and again and again and again... And then again and again and, well, you get the idea. They ran and passed well, and the D.C. package with Eddie McGee at QB.

But in this shootout, the Illini got out-shot.

Uncharacteristically, the Illini defense did an imitation of the 2010 Wolverine defense, and struggled to stop Big Blue. Michigan scored again and again and again and again... And then again and again and again. Including that 2-point conversion in 3OT...

This season, the Illini defense has been key to earning Ron Zook & Co. "Most Improved" in the Big Ten. That wasn't the case this week. Although they had countless opportunities to stop Denard Robinson and then Tate Forcier, they couldn't capitalize. And that almost-interception on the goal line in overtime (which one? They blurred together since they all ended in TDs...) was just one of the perfect opportunities to end the game with the Illini on top.

It was an intense game. Of course, it would have been better if the Illini had won. This one hurt.

This loss wasn't as high-quality as the other losses thus far, but the Illini did continue to show that they are a much better team than they were last year.

However, based on the rest of the schedule, the Illini should be bowl-eligible soon...Go Illini!

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# posted by Alma Mater : 10:23 PM


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