Illinitalk

We've had three weeks to watch Tim Beckman's first Illini team. They've played a variety of competition to give us a pretty good idea of what he's doing with what he's got to work with.

Against a strong FCS team, Western Michigan, the Illini looked promising. Of course, the 64-yard TD pass to Ryan Lankford to open that game helped a lot. Then, against the quality PAC-12 Arizona State Sun Devils, the Illini looked lost. The defense didn't quite live up to their billing in the desert. But this week, against the winless Charleston Southern Buccaneers, the Illini looked brilliant. Reilly O'Toole impressed, with the red zone interception as the lone blemish on a stellar afternoon.

My observations to date:

• The coaching staff has changed, and this group wants to create a new culture on the field and in the locker room. But they are working with the talent they have, and the team on the field looks much like the Illini of recent years. Inconsistent offense with explosive potential and aggressive, stingy defense.
• Nathan Scheelhaase is the heart of the Illini offense. When he went down, the offense stalled out. And he was sorely missed against the Sun Devils. But his backups have plenty of promise. O'Toole and Miles Osei struggled versus the quality D of ASU, but the reps against Charleston Southern boosted their confidence.
• Ryan Lankford has made a strong bid to replace AJ Jenkins this season. He knows how to get open and to go after the ball.
• The O-line will want to grow together as they head into the Big Ten season. It's going to get harder to protect the QB...
• I had higher expectations for the start for the running back corps, but young Dami Ayoola was a huge signing.
• I love watching the Illini defense. They tackle well (most of the time). They penetrate the line of scrimmage (at least against smaller teams). 
• The D continues to develop NFL-caliber talent. Ashante Williams and Jonathan Brown lead the team with 20 tackles each. Brown has 3.5 TFLs already, and Michael Buchanan adds another 3 TFLs.

The Illini have lots of room for improvement, but if they make strides quickly, anything could happen in what appears (so far) to be a weak Big Ten. The jury is still out on Beckman, but other than waiting a bit longer than I think he should have to put the second string offense in against Charleston Southern, he appears to be holding serve in the situation he inherited.

Looking forward to the season...Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Tim Beckman

Coach Beck and his new staff completed their first Illini signing day Wednesday, with 19 players sending in their National Letters of Intent. With two guys already on campus, and a committed walk-on, 22 guys will join Beckman's first Illini team.

These boys are mostly 2 and 3 star recruits, but that's to be expected with a coaching transition. Beckman's influence is evident in that 6 guys are from Ohio, but the link to Florida remains strong, with 5 players from that state.

It will be interesting to see if Beckman places a greater focus on Illinois kids in the coming years. Four players are from Illinois, as was the one that got away, an Edwardsville product who chose Nebraska. The Iowa Hawkeyes took a couple suburban Chicago kids, as did Northwestern.

This class includes 3 running backs, a couple linemen from each side of the ball, a wide reciever, a tight end, 9 defensive players, a kicker and a local longsnapper (the committed walk-on). After seeing how the defense has played the past couple years, I look forward to seeing if Beckman's team can get the same kind of production out of these kids.

ESPNU ranked the Illini recruiting class at the bottom of the Big Ten, and based on the success of the top-tier teams in the conference (Michigan, Ohio State, MSU, Wisconsin, Nebraska, etc.), it will likely take a couple years to see if Beckman can build a competitive team.

But the players are genuinely excited about playing for Coach Beck in orange and blue, and that counts for a lot.

Welcome to Illini nation, boys! Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

Dear Coach Beckman,
Welcome to the University of Illinois! We look forward to what you will bring to Illini football. I'm sure you've done your research, and you have a pretty good idea of what you are getting into, but here are a few notes to keep in mind as you move to Champaign-Urbana and get to know your new university and conference.

You are moving to a college town in the middle of the prairie. It's flat, often windy, hot and muggy in the summer, and cold and icy in the winter. But we deal with it, and you will, too. Remember, variety is the spice of life. ;)

Memorial Stadium is a source of pride, and we think it is beautiful. It was renovated a few years ago, so that you have a boisterous student section in the north end zone, provided your team is competitive. Otherwise they will take off after the Marching Illini halftime show. (That's what we did the season I was a student watching an 0-11 season.) The stadium is across the street from another Illini treasure - Assembly Hall. But just on the other side of that, you will find the South Farms. Ag is an important industry in Illinois, and that is reflected at our premier land grand university (see: The Morrow Plots and the underground undergrad library). So when the wind blows from the south, and you catch the scent of the South Farms as you practice, make sure your players realize that's part of what makes their school unique.

It will take your family a couple hours to get to a major urban area for high-end shopping, culture and professional sports, but when you go, you have your choice of Chicago, St. Louis and Indy. We like to have players from the first two areas, as we consider them local, and we would love to play an extra game in the third area at the end of the regular season.

Speaking of Chicago, a healthy portion of your student body is from that general area. Ties to Chicago are strong, and the Bears borrowed their team colors from the Illini. Please respect that. You also need to pay just enough attention to baseball to know that the Cubs/Cards rivalry is a big deal in downstate Illinois, even though one team just won another World Series and the other team hasn't for a few years (100+, if you want to be technical).

We are the Fighting Illini. We have a wonderful tradition at football games - the Three-in-One. We used to have the Chief dance officially there, but since the NCAA and people with too much free time on their hands had a fit, the Chief dance now happens unofficially. But those of the alumni who care passionately about our athletics love the Chief. Be sure to research that tradition and be able to talk to us about that intelligently. That will make you a more popular guest speaker at fundraisers.

Your alumni base is strong. We love our team, but we also love to have something to be excited about, and that's been inconsistent from the football program lately. We like to wear that obnoxious orange color that really stands out. It should now be your favorite color. And your family should learn to love it, too. We will go to bowl games and spend our money. We are partial to Pasadena, though we don't get to go very often. Get us into contention for New Year's Day in SoCal or Florida on a regular basis, and we will be very supportive.

About our team...they looked really good at the beginning of the year. But in the past few years, they've been caught by the pull of a season's momentum. A big win propels them forward, but a tough loss gets into their heads and triggers a downward spiral that seemingly can't be stopped (see: seasons following the Rose Bowl appearance, 2011 Ohio State game). As head coach, you are responsible for breaking this trend.

And for recruiting. We've enjoyed getting some impressive talent from other parts of the country. You have your work cut out for you, convincing 17- and 18-year-old boys that they want to grow into men at the University of Illinois (see: above - it is in the middle of nowhere). But it can be done, as there are a handful of Illini in the NFL. This will be critical to your success.

You have a defensive background. Have you seen what Vic has done with our defense in recent years? We're pretty good on that side of the ball. Please don't let the boys slip backward there. Now on the offensive side, that's another story. We've been inconsistent. We have lots of firepower, but sometimes we've been anemic. Since that's not your strength, please be sure to bring in someone who can build an offense that can score. In the Big Ten.

Yes, welcome to the Big Ten, as well. We do know how to count. We are well aware that we have 12 teams, but we Midwesterners are the traditional type that aren't crazy about major change, so we will keep the name Big Ten. It's been an adjustment to accept our divisions and we find the names "Leaders" and "Legends" a bit cheesy.

You've spent time in the SEC, the Big XII and the Big Ten in the past, so you are aware of the different styles of play. We have oodles of proud tradition in the Big Ten, and from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln to Happy Valley in State College, there are lots of tough places to play. But it's been a tumultuous few years in Big Ten football. Lots of losses at Michigan, although Brady Hoke has them back on track. Scandal of epic proportions. Ohio State was a big deal until Penn State made that look almost silly. Please be aware that we really don't want any of those kinds of stories coming out of our football program. Ever. Please follow the rules (even though many of them are cumbersome and ridiculous).

Of course you will be reviewing plenty of tape to get to know your conference opponents. You now will be coaching against one of your former bosses, as Urban Meyer takes over at Ohio State. As Nebraska gets to know the rest of us, they will probably be even tougher to play. Wisconsin breeds O-linemen like nobody's business. Michigan State may be rebuilding a bit as this class graduates, but they've built a strong program, as has Iowa. Northwestern is always a wildcard, and Pat Fitzgerald is doing impressive things with his team. And even the teams that have been weaker in recent years, like Purdue, Indiana and Minnesota, are showing great improvement. You did impressive things at Toledo, and we would like to see you do similar things at Illinois, but the level of competition is a bit different than the MAC -- and the Illini have struggled against MAC teams the past couple years.

And one final note. Your boss is new to us, too. Under our previous AD, we had a reputation for giving coaches time to get their programs in place. We've been patient. We don't know yet if your boss has the same philosophy, and you will be a big part of helping us learn that about him.

Obviously you know you've taken on a big job. And it can be a great job. It's a delight to be part of Illini Nation. We really want to see you succeed. We want cheers of I-L-L I-N-I to resonate from Memorial Stadium. We want to wear our orange with pride. We want to cheer for our team both on and off the field. We want to take vacations over New Year's. We want to embrace you and your family wholeheartedly.

And we will. Just keep in mind that winning, especially a few years down the road, will help.

Again, welcome to the University of Illinois. I hope this helps you get to know us a bit better.
Sincerely,
Alma Mater

P.S. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Tim Beckman

Friday afternoon, new Illinois AD Mike Thomas introduced his first major hire, and gave Illini Nation a glimpse of the direction he plans to take our athletics. In my opinion, the selection of Tim Beckman is the first test for Thomas.

Coach Tim Beckman has to have 46 years of coaching experience, as his dad was a football coach. He has a strong list of mentors, including the new Ohio State football coach, and most importantly, he engineered a dramatic program turnaround for the Toledo Rockets in just three years. Beckman describes himself as intense and competitive, but also says he values a family atmosphere and trust. Those priorities sound like a continuation of the current Illini program claims, as many players cite the family atmosphere as the reason they chose to play in Champaign.

Beckman appears to be a good choice to lead the Illini. Much like Michigan's Brady Hoke, he is an up-and-coming coach who has proven successful in a lesser FBS conference. The Rockets, like the Illini, are headed to their second bowl in as many years. The question for Beckman to answer is can he reproduce that success against traditional powerhouse opponents like Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Nebraska? But to be honest, a program like Illinois, where expectations are more manageable than, say Penn State, is a good spot for Beckman to prove himself.

So, at this point, it looks like Mike Thomas is off to a solid start. Of course, it will take a few years and a few other hires to see what Thomas will build. In the lesser sports, he's got really strong programs. Illini volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, golf and wrestling have all been very strong programs in recent years. If those coaches stay put and those programs continue to do well, and hires like Beckman prove successful, life as Illini fans will be fun.

Oh, and be sure to cheer on the Illini volleyball team tonight as they take on Florida for the chance to be in the Final Four. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Illini sports

Hunger is a very real problem across the country and around the world. As with any widespread problem, anyone can fight against it. Including a .500 college football team on a 6-game losing streak and a vacancy at head coach.

The Illini will have a couple weeks of (much needed) practice and recovery with defensive coordinator and acting head coach Vic Koenning (and incoming head coach Tim Beckman?) before taking on a 6-7 UCLA team that is also waiting for a head coach. The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco on Dec. 31 certainly can claim credit for both raising awareness of a critical issue and giving two struggling teams an opportunity to build toward next season's fresh start. At least the game should be competitive!

The Illini got caught in a downward spiral that just got uglier as the season went on and was capped by a painful loss to Minnesota. But they are bowl eligible, and they were chosen to take the place of Army in this bowl. I'm sure the local organizers expect dedicated Illini fans to show up ready to spend money in San Fran. And I am sure their expectations will be met.

Though the season has been disappointing, the Illini still have managed to get bowl invites in back-to-back seasons, and Whitney Mercilus was recognized nationally as one of the top defensive linemen on the Walter Camp All-America Team. So there are bright spots.

And the game will be fun to watch with extended family before ringing in the New Year. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

It's a book I haven't read and a delightful play I just saw.

It also summarizes my thoughts on Illini sports during the month of October.

Love: I love my team. I often claim to bleed orange and blue. I watch. I cheer. I agonize. I rejoice. I support. I am committed to the Illini.

Loss: It started with the first play of the Indiana game - a kickoff returned for a Hoosier TD. The Illini special teams just seemed to have lost the ball carrier. Fortunately, the Illini got that turned around by the end of the first half, and went on to win in Bloomington.

Then came Stripe the Stadium (which looked really, really cool). The Buckeyes were desperate, and they have a very strong defense. It was a battle, and Illini lost turnovers were the difference in a depressing game. The Illini were poised to take off, with a very manageable remaining schedule, minus Wisconsin at home. And they couldn't go anywhere. They struggled to move (and hold on to) the ball. And the Illini picked up their first loss of the season.

Last Saturday the Illini were on the road for the second time this season. And in West Lafayette they picked up right where they left off, allowing big runs on D and struggling to move the ball on offense. Again miscues led to a very disappointing loss. I honestly don't want to dwell on it.

Later in the day, the #1 Illini volleyball team faced their toughest test of the season so far, on the road at #4 Nebraska, who were also undefeated in Big Ten play. This was a great volleyball match. The Huskers jumped out in every set, but in the first one, the Illini fought back and ground out a win. The second set was back and forth, but the Huskers finally pulled it out in the end. And somewhere along the way, the Illini lost their spark. They went on to lose their first match of the season 3-1 in Lincoln.

During the month of October these Illini teams felt the sting of loss.

What I wore: I'm not a fashionista by any stretch. Nor am I superstitious. But the last two Saturdays, I wore my bright orange sweater. It isn't exactly Illini attire, but I intentionally wear it to support my team when I can't wear my team gear. Or I did until last Saturday. I will find something else to wear this Saturday. That will be my effort help the Illini make a better showing in Happy Valley this weekend.

But losses and all, I still say, Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Illini volleyball

That sounds really, really good. Especially to the #1 Illini volleyball team. They've played a couple top-15 Big Ten teams in the last couple weeks on their way to that #1 ranking and 15-0 record. Michelle Bartsch and Colleen Ward are leading the Illini in kills, while Anna Dorn and Erin Johnson are leading the team in blocks. Overall, this team is on a roll. Keep your eyes on these girls!

Note to the BTN: I would like to see an Illini volleyball game on your network broadcast schedule. Thanks much!

Unbeaten also sounds good to the (barely) 5-0 Illini football team. The last two gave have been...adventures. But the Illini have managed to pull out wins, despite nerve-wracking finishes. After coming from behind and way behind, I believe this team is building character and confidence that will serve them well through the rest of the season.

The Big Ten opener against Northwestern reinforced some of the weaknesses Western Michigan exposed the week before. The Illini seem to forget how to play defense for long stretches. Special teams aren't all that special. And, the running game is fading painfully.

But when these boys get hot, on either side of the ball, they are on fire. The Illini looked much, much better in the 4th quarter against Northwestern (minus the fumble). They seem to respond well to pressure.

Nate Scheelhaase is growing up as we watch. His passing has improved, but there are still times he should pull the ball down and run. And that option pitch fumble...ugh. But he did throw to a few more guys this week, although A.J. Jenkins is his obvious favorite. Congrats, Nathan, on setting your career passing record! Way to answer Dan Persa's impressive return.

Speaking of Jenkins, he's playing really, really well. And he's fun to watch. Congrats, A.J., on the Illini receiving record.

The penalties and turnovers against the Wildcats were ugly. But Northwestern deserves plenty of credit. Dan Persa proved that his team missed him, with 4 TD passes and plenty of jaw-dropping escapes from a very tough Illini D. His wide receivers came through, too. These boys were the first to get points off an Illini turnover all season.

On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats stopped the run effectively, holding the Illini to less than 100 yards as a team. Their defense did a great job forcing turnovers, including Jason Ford's fumble.

And the final NW play of the game was brilliant. The cross-field pass to Kain Colter and keeping the ball alive for a long time...they probably deserved to come away from this game with the upset.

But the Illini stiffened up on D and got the ball moving. The comeback was impressive. And Ron Zook's team is still unbeaten.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, 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

Last Saturday (11/13), the Big Ten Network treated Illini fans to three games. And although the Orange and Blue only won one of those games, it made for a great opportunity to see where our teams were at...

Football
The loss to Minnesota hurt. Badly. The Illini played so well all season. But the defense seems to have disappeared somewhere on the road to Michigan. They weren't able to rebound against Minnesota, and instead of becoming bowl-eligible, the Illini gave the Gophers their first conference win of the season.

Volleyball
The Illini women went into the night in State College at the top of a very tough Big Ten conference. And Penn State was second. The Illini had snapped the Nittany Lions' incredible conference winning streak when those girls visited Champaign earlier this season. The Illini are fun to watch, but they were just a bit off Saturday, and lost in 3 sets. But as I've said before, these girls are worth watching. Check them out if you get the chance.

Basketball
Bruce Weber welcomed his former assistant and team to Assembly Hall. The Salukis are improving, but the Illini had a chance to shine. There's a lot of talent, energy and generosity on this team. They are going to be fun to watch this season. The Illini won easily, although they had to work a bit harder than they had earlier in the week.

So, with the football season deflating, we've got plenty to look forward to as volleyball heads toward the post-season and basketball heats up.

Go Illini!

(Yes, I realize I should have posted this several days ago.)

Labels: Illini basketball, Illini football, Illini volleyball

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!

Labels: Illini football

That's what happened to the Boilermakers when then they visited Champaign a couple weeks ago. The Illini put on a show in all aspects of the game.

Special teams started the game with a great play on their first kickoff. They recovered the ball after it unexpectedly hit off a Purdue player. The TD off that turnover set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Illini offense shone both through the air and on the ground. 44 points included 4 TD passes from Nathan Scheelhaase. My favorite was the one to Mikel Leshoure when he stood all by himself in the endzone (we've seen that a few more times since). And the running game kept the Illini rolling downhill Clock management was very nice, with the field goal right before the half.

The D kept Purdue under wraps all game, with a shutout until the 4th quater. They held the Boilermakers to just 205 yards and 9 first downs. Although the offense allowed them plenty of time to rest, they made the most of their time on the field with a forced and recovered fumble, TFLs, etc.

I know it's been a while, but it's nice to remember this game...

Labels: Illini football, Mikel Leshoure, Nathan Scheelhaase

Against Indiana last weekend, the Illini special teams and secondary came up with a couple special plays:

• A blocked punt
• A blocked punt drop for a safety (very cool play)
  
• 4 interceptions -- 2 returned for TDs
• 1 strip that turned into a handoff

The Illini running game was steady. And although the Hoosiers passed for 279 yards, they were held to just 1 TD and 2 field goals.

Offense, defense and special teams all showed great improvement compare to the past couple years. And that improvement really is something special.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

The Illini football team will play their third Homecoming game in a row today. They spoiled the day at Penn State, but after a very tough 30 minutes at Michigan State, the home team took control for the type of Homecoming Spartan alumni expected.

Today the Illini welcome their own alumni for Homecoming weekend in Champaign. The Hoosiers are in town to challenge Coach Zook's team.

This has been a challenging game for the Illini in recent years. And Indiana's offense has the potential to take off. Their passing game has been impressive against weaker defenses. The Illini defense has improved significantly over last season, but Indiana will test the secondary, which is the most vulnerable piece of Vic Koenning's unit.

But, as seen in the past couple weeks, Indiana's defense can be porous. If Mikel LeShoure, Jason Ford and Nathan Scheelhaase get the Illini running game going, they can take control. And that would make coming home much more fun.

Coming home...Memorial Stadium does feel like a touch of home for Illini alums and fans. A stately stadium, the horseshoe seats in the south endzone, the bright orange I on the 50-yard-line, cheers of I-L-L I-N-I ringing through the air, shallow steps that lead to any seat in the stadium, the Block I and the marching Illini feel familiar to any alum who had student season tickets. Yes, there have been (relatively recent) changes with the student section and block I in the north end zone and the press box high on the west side of the field, but it's still home.

So, boys, let's see you take on Indiana with confidence, run them out past the South Farms, and treat Illini Nation to a victorious Homecoming.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

The Illini offense -- especially the running game -- stalled in East Lansing last weekend, unable to break through the Spartans big line. But although the Illini lost big, they still showed signs of improvement compared to last season.

Let's start with areas that need to improve:

• Accuracy of Nathan Scheelhaase's arm, and his pass protection. Scheelhaase can throw, but he also gets picked off regularly. Remember, he's a freshman, and with experience, this is an area that should improve. The turnovers really demoralized the Illini Saturday, changing the momentum of the game.
• Patience and discipline are critical, but the Illini penalties showed a lack of both. The Illini moved backward -- or allowed Michigan State to move ahead -- more than they could afford. These mistakes can be cleaned up, and they need to be to survive the rest of the season.

But despite the lopsided score, there are positives to build on:

• Much better return game. It was State that fumbled on special teams this week, and that was a relief after the Illini performance against Penn State.
• 30 minutes of strong defense. The D kept the Spartans in check for the entire first half, as they were well below their typical output. The second half wasn't quite as pretty, but the D still held Kirk Cousins and his offense to field goals off the third-quarter turnovers. And they may have held better in the second half if it hadn't been for the turnovers.
• A.J. Jenkins continues to have some great catches, and even when stood up, the Illini running backs often push the pile forward.
  

The loss at Michigan State was tough to watch, but the Spartans really are a great team. And the three teams that have beaten the Illini have just one loss between them.

Next up, Indiana at home. If the defense plays well, the Illini should be able to compete well against the Hoosiers...

Labels: Illini football

Congratulations to Coach Ron Zook and the Illini! They notched the first Illini win at Penn State on a beautiful Homecoming Day in Happy Valley.

Although Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions have fallen out of the rankings this season after tough losses at Alabama and Iowa that banged up their defense, beating Penn State still sounds pretty good. (Especially after the consistent disappointment of last season.) A 20-point win on the road at a traditional powerhouse can be considered a statement win. The Illini can legitimately claim to be the most improved team in the conference.

The Illini had plenty of highlights, but the problems on special teams could (and probably should) have caused a different outcome.

• For returner Jack Ramsey, one mistake (the dropped opening kickoff that fortunately was recovered by Nate Bussey) led to another (fumbled punt #1) which led to another (fumbled punt #2). It's painful to ask your D to stand up again -- in the red zone -- after they've successfully forced a punt.
  
• When you have one of the top punters in the game, the least you can do is showcase his skills by successfully downing the ball where he places it. Anthony Santella has been fantastic this season, and his first punt of the game was placed perfectly just outside the goal line. But his teammates let it slip through their hands and in to the end zone.
• Again, with a fantastic kicking game, the rest of the guys on the field need to cover the returner up a bit better. The Nittany Lions had solid returns, and were often just a tackle away from breaking open a big play.
  

But beyond those miscues, the Illini played very, very well. The defense kept Penn State in check, allowing just one big play. Compared to last year, the defense has perhaps improved the most of any of the units on the field.

• Nate Bussey earned a spot on the ESPN Impact Play of the Week ballot and a College Football Final helmet sticker with his pick-6 in the second quarter. That play did shift momentum, despite the quick answer from Penn State. Oh, and he had 8 tackles, as well as covering up the first Illini fumble of the day.
  
• The defense held Penn State to a field goal in the red zone not once but twice, after punt fumbles.
  
• Evan Royster, likely on his way to becoming the all-time leading rusher for Penn State, was held to just 35 yards for the game.
  
• Penn State converted just 2 of 14 3rd downs, and a 4th-and-1 attempt (early in the game when it still mattered) failed, as well. In fact, they had just 7 1st downs for the entire game.
• Constant pressure on freshman QB Rob Bolden contributed to a long day with just 8 of 21 passing and 2 sacks.

To be fair, early in the game the tackles didn't look as solid as they had against other teams. And Justin Green did get beat by Penn State's top receiver on the only big play of the day. And to be honest, you can't ask for much more.

The offense kept the ball moving with solid, sustained drives.

• The Illini rushed for 282 yards on the day, led by Mikel LeShoure with 119 yards on 27 carries. He did a great job of driving the pile forward for extra yards. Jason Ford and Troy Pollard also had some great carries. The O-line did a great job opening holes and blocking.
  
• Scheelhaase passed for 151 yards, going 15 of 19 on short, easy underneath passes. Including the pass to A.J. Jenkins that he took to the end zone for the first TD of the game. Again, the O-line did a good job providing the protection he needed to make those short, quick passes.
• The option -- both QB keepers and pitches -- looked pretty good. There were a few risky passes, but overall the Illini offense seems to be coming together.
  
• Long, sustained drives wore out the Penn State defense, and limited the opportunities Santella had to show off his skills.
• Ford's touchdown pass showed us a bit of Paul Petrino's creativity. This season should be entertaining.

I would like to see Scheelhaase stop trying to go over the top for extra yards at the end of runs. It looks cool, but it also increases his chances of injury.

And despite the issues on special teams, the Illini kicking game is fantastic. Derek Dimke was 4 for 4 on field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder that just had the distance needed.

Next week at Michigan State will be very tough, but the Illini have continued to improve, and they should be able to put up a fight in East Lansing. But, for now, what a great confidence-builder this game was.

Go Illini!

Labels: Anthony Santella, Derek Dimke, Illini football, Mikel Leshoure, Nate Bussey, Nathan Scheelhaase

Tough test, that is. The Illini football team has a brutal schedule to open their conference season. After playing well at home against Ohio State despite the loss, the Illini are on the road in Happy Valley today. Again, not an easy place to play.

Although my recent schedule has prevented me from seeing the full game, the Illini really did play fairly well against one of the best teams in the country last week. The D held Pryor and the Buckeyes to season lows, and they got their first 2 interceptions of the season. The O started strong, complete with a fun Scheelhaase-lateral-to-Fayson-to Scheelhaase pass play for a big gain. They sputtered after that, and didn't take full advantage of turnovers, but they hung in. Despite the late tOSU touchdown that made the score look like the game wasn't all that close, the Illini played a respectable game.

The question is, how long can they play reasonably well with just a few mistakes, and still take a loss? With their schedule, that could happen for a while this season. And usually, games like that send a college team into a downward spiral.

It would be nice to see the Illini come away with a win, and they are just on the edge of capable when playing their best. And Penn State is vulnerable.

But after their disappointing loss to the Hawkeyes, JoePa will have his team ready to go at home. His true freshman QB is gaining valuable experience every week. So, once again, the Illini have a tough test. Let's see them pass this one with a victory -- and not just a moral one.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

The Big Ten season is upon Ron Zook and his team. First up: Ohio State. That will be a tough test. The Illini D will have their hands full with Terrelle Pryor and his offense. And Nathan Scheelhaase and Mikel Leshoure will be challenged to run on the Buckeyes defense.

But anything can happen on any given day. If the Illini are on, the Buckeyes are off, and the crowd is in full force, the upset is possible.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

The Illini offensive line is solid. Literally. The starters range from 305 to 315 pounds, and they stand 6'5" to 6'7". And the backups are similar in size. These big boys are the key to allowing Nathan Scheelhaase and Mikel Leshoure shine. Thus far, the Illini have gotten an average 229 rushing yards per game, and 130 passing yards. But they've also racked up their share of false start penalties, and they've allowed Scheelhaase to be sacked 5 times. They have room for improvement, but they have potential to help the Illini win a few more games.

Jeff Allen is a junior from Chicago. He leads this unit in starts, and has been a key to the Illini rushing success over the last two seasons. He was named to the Sporting News second-team Freshman All-America in 2008.

Hugh Thornton, a sophomore who lived in Idaho before playing his high school senior season in Oberlin, Ohio, is at guard. Despite the strained neck he suffered against Northern Illinois, he was expected to return to start against Ohio State. However, after being arrested on Sunday for his part in a bar fight, his status on the team is questionable. He's had discipline issues before, and to date Zook hasn't announced is decision on how this incident will be handled.
Named one of the most improved offensive players during spring ball, redshirt sophomore Graham Pocic, is the new Illini center. Pocic is from Lemont, Ill., and he saw action in most games last season. Although center is a new spot for him at this level, Coach Zook expressed confidence in him. And so far this season, the snaps haven't been quite as sloppy as some other FBS teams...

Randall Hunt, a 5th-year senior from Hightstown, N.J., starts at guard. He also spent a season at Valley Forge Military Academy before enrolling in at the University of Illinois. Hunt has steadily gained experience during his time in Champaign, and he started in 11 games last season.

Another 5th-year senior, Ryan Palmer starts at tackle. He played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman, but a broken foot in 2008 kept him out for the heart of that season. From Canton, Ohio, Palmer says he is coming off his best off-season this year.

The OL has worked to build chemistry as a unit, but they are a bit non-traditional, since Offensive Coordinator Paul Petrino lists strong-side and weak-side linemen in his depth chart instead of left guard, right tackle, etc. His line flips to either side of the field as needed for a play.

Let's hope they can continue to open holes to allow the Illini running game to keep moving during the Big Ten season.

Go Illini!

Labels: Graham Pocic, Hugh Thornton, Illini football, Jeff Allen, Randall Hunt, Ryan Palmer

Labels: Illini football, Justin Green, Tavon Wilson, Travon Bellamy, Trulon Henry