Illinitalk

Really. It is. Fall is also volleyball. That's another favorite fall sport.

The #3 Illini have gotten off to a perfect start in the non-conference season, and they are currently at the top of a loaded Big Ten. The Illini will open conference play Friday night at #9 Minnesota.

And the entire conference season will be tough. Currently, the Big Ten boasts 4 of the top 10 teams (#5 Penn State, #10 Nebraska), and 7 of the top 25. BTN will help us follow what should be an exciting season. In fact, they started us off tonight with a great matchup in Lincoln where the Huskers notched their first Big Ten win against the Lady Lions in 5. The last set was fantastic.

The Illini are looking good. But as the highest-ranked team in the conference, they will be targets. They deserve the rank, but they will have to play really, really well to keep it. However, I believe the tough conference season will prepare these girls well for the post-season.

If you have a chance, keep your eyes on these girls. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini volleyball

The Illini football team has a week to focus on improving some weaknesses before the Big Ten season starts (thought Western Michigan is not a team to take for granted). As mentioned earlier, here are a few areas at the top of the "weakness" list.

• Special teams - receiving. Yikes. This is perhaps the most uncertain part of the game so far. And it must be shored up if the Illini want to prove themselves a legitimate contender in their division.
  
• Special teams - punting. As I've said before, there's potential, and we are seeing progress. But in tough games, backed up against the goal line...I'll be nervous. Freshman Justin DuVernois needs seasoning, but in the meantime...
• Multiple receiving threats. Because while A.J. Jenkins is playing well, and while Darius Millines has proven to be a deep threat, better teams will find it easier to focus on these boys. Others need to step up, and Nathan Scheelhaase needs to build confidence in throwing other directions.
  
• Patience. The Illini were fantastic in their first game, drawing zero penalties. Unfortunately, that didn't set the tone for the rest of the season, and they've gotten sloppier as the young season has progressed. That yellow flag can turn the game quickly...let's keep it off the field as much as possible.

The Broncos won in Detroit three years ago. Although the Illini need to be ready, if they play like they have so far this season, they should be in good shape. However, there can't be a letdown after the big night game. The win over the Sun Devils was significant, but there's plenty of football left, boys.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

Coach Ron Zook's Fighting Illini looked really good as they devoured the first two cupcakes of the season. The win over #18 Arizona State was much sloppier, but it was still a big win.

Though my schedule has limited my time to write, I've still managed to watch the Illini so far this season. They have plenty of room for improvement, but there has been a lot to like.

Here are a few of my favorite things from the season so far, in no particular order:

• Jason Ford's running game. Ford rarely is stopped on first contact. He keeps going forward. He plows through tackles. He is fun to watch. And, he has good potential to overtake Howard Griffith at the top of the most touchdowns scored for the Illini list. Ford has been waiting for his opportunity to shine, and this could well be his year.
• Interceptions. The Illini D has at least one reception in every game. And a few of them have been very impressive. Trulon Henry picked one off of an Arkansas State receiver and the ground. Against Arizona State, Glenn Foster caught a nice ricochet off the back of a Sun Devil. Good stuff.
• Tackles for loss. Vic Koenning's defense has done a nice job getting behind the line of scrimmage. In fact, they have 26 TFLs in 3 games, including 11 sacks, for a total of 96 negative yards for opponents. While quite a few players have gotten in on this fun, the Illini are led by Jonathan Brown with 4.5 and Whitney Mercilus with 4. This could bode very well for the conference season.
• Nathan Scheelhaase under center. Scheelhaase continues to prove he can run the ball, but his passing is improving, as well. He did much better in the first two weeks against weaker opponents. He was exposed a bit against the Sun Devils with a couple interceptions, but he still is showing progress from his redshirt freshman season. He is getting more consistent with his favorite target, A.J Jenkins, but he needs to spread the love a bit for the Illini to strengthen the passing game inside the Big Ten.
  
• Memorial Stadium. The Illini have a very, very favorable schedule, with eight home games. Memorial Stadium is a great place for these boys to play, build confidence, and build excitement around a team that could prove to be a surprise Big Ten contender.
  
• Wide receivers A.J. Jenkins and Darius Millines. These boys have done a very nice job hauling in passes and picking up yards after the catch. Jenkins has become the most likely third down target.
• Promising young players. From the freshman running backs that have take a few carries to Reilly O'Toole getting his feet wet, and even punter Justin DuVernois showing improvement from game to game, the future of the Illini program has promise. Yes, DuVernois has a long way to go, and special teams in general are nerve-wracking, but the fact that he is improving is encouraging.
• 3-0. That's a beautiful record to start the season. The Illini have great potential, a couple years under Koenning and Paul Petrino, plenty of home games and a relatively gentle conference schedule.

I'll save the points that need vast improvement for another day. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

After a cool start, it's been a hot summer. That flew by. And now, it's time for football!

But though time flies, it's been a rough off-season in the Big Ten. Jerry Kill starts his tenure against USC. Luke Fickell is in charge in Columbus. Brady Hoke will debut in Ann Arbor. And there are plenty of players not on the field or sidelines.

As for the Illini, they have the potential to surprise. Somewhere in the middle of the new Big Ten, the Illini could impress. They've got plenty of games in Memorial Stadium, starting with Arkansas State.

The Illini should be in good shape against the Red Wolves, but they must not take anything for granted to mentally prepare themselves to make a strong showing in the Big Ten and get a bowl game added to their 2011 schedule.

Nathan Scheelhaase, in his sophomore season, has great potential, and he's got experienced protection from his O-Line, with four returning starters there. Look for a strong running game from Jason Ford, as well.

On D, there are some holes to fill, and it will be interesting to see how Vic Koenning addresses those issues and builds on the progress this unit made in 2010. Watch DB Ian Thomas and Trulon Henry for leadership on this side of the ball.

And get ready for another season of Illini football! I-L-L...

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