Sunday, November 15, 2009
A Look at Things to Come?
The loss to Northwestern was disappointing. The kicking game was...adventurous. The Illini offense really struggled to get going, but the did get back in the game late in the 4th quarter. Not having Juice on the field hurt. As did the questionable interception call at the end of the game.
But, we got a good look at the future of Illini football. Jacob Charest had some great passes and showed promise. He also made some mistakes, but he got quality experience that will serve him well as he takes over the Illini offense next season. Charest shows that he's got a strong arm. His decision-making will develop with time under center.
But I don't have the energy at the moment to dig into that game. I'd rather focus on a few things that haven't made recent posts.
Like the top-10 recruiting class that signed letters of intent for Bruce Weber.
Jereme Richmond followed through on the commitment he made before he even started high school. Richmond hails from Waukegan, Ill., plays wing and is a concensus top-25 recruit.
Crandall Head is set to follow in his big brother's footsteps as an Illini. Like Luther, Crandall plays guard. He recently had an ACL repaired, so he isn't currently playing. He's been around the Illini program since he was in middle school, and now he's officially a member of the Illini basketball family.
Meyers Leonard is a 7' center from Robinson, Ill. According to the Illini staff, Leonard reminds them of James Augustine, with his ability to run the floor. He won the 2A dunk contest last year.
Along with this year's freshman, the future of the Illini basketball program -- back in the national rankings at #23 -- looks very bright.
Go Illini!
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But, we got a good look at the future of Illini football. Jacob Charest had some great passes and showed promise. He also made some mistakes, but he got quality experience that will serve him well as he takes over the Illini offense next season. Charest shows that he's got a strong arm. His decision-making will develop with time under center.
But I don't have the energy at the moment to dig into that game. I'd rather focus on a few things that haven't made recent posts.
Like the top-10 recruiting class that signed letters of intent for Bruce Weber.
Jereme Richmond followed through on the commitment he made before he even started high school. Richmond hails from Waukegan, Ill., plays wing and is a concensus top-25 recruit.
Crandall Head is set to follow in his big brother's footsteps as an Illini. Like Luther, Crandall plays guard. He recently had an ACL repaired, so he isn't currently playing. He's been around the Illini program since he was in middle school, and now he's officially a member of the Illini basketball family.
Meyers Leonard is a 7' center from Robinson, Ill. According to the Illini staff, Leonard reminds them of James Augustine, with his ability to run the floor. He won the 2A dunk contest last year.
Along with this year's freshman, the future of the Illini basketball program -- back in the national rankings at #23 -- looks very bright.
Go Illini!
Labels: Crandall Head, Illini basketball, Illini football, Jacob Charest, Jereme Richmond, Meyers Leonard
# posted by Alma Mater : 4:30 PM
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Where Has That Been?
That looked more like the offense we expected all season. Once again, the Illini marched down the field immediately to take the lead. And when Juice Williams went down with an ankle injury on a fumble later in the first quarter, redshirt freshman Jacob Charest lived up to expectations. He kept the Illini moving down the field, and added a TD pass.
And the defense...Terry Hawthorne, welcome to Big Ten football. The freshman from East St. Louis followed up his performance last week with a beautiful pick-6 from Gophers QB Adam Weber. And as a whole, the D sacked Weber 7 times for a total loss of 50 yards. Plus, they held strong once again to hold Minnesota to a field goal after a goal-line stand.
The blocked punt for a TD was scary, but the Illini came back nicely to score once more. Yes, the final score shows how effectively the Golden Gophers came back late in the game, but we'll take the Big Ten win on the road.
It would have been nice to see this team a bit sooner this year, but I'd rather have a few games to enjoy than none at all. Yes, it's been a rough season for Tim Brewster and his Gophers, as well, and the Iowa loss to Northwestern doesn't do much for the Big Ten rep. But a win is way more fun than a loss. And a win on the road bodes well for the future, especially after the free-fall that was the first half of the season.
Great game, boys! Go Illini!
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And the defense...Terry Hawthorne, welcome to Big Ten football. The freshman from East St. Louis followed up his performance last week with a beautiful pick-6 from Gophers QB Adam Weber. And as a whole, the D sacked Weber 7 times for a total loss of 50 yards. Plus, they held strong once again to hold Minnesota to a field goal after a goal-line stand.
The blocked punt for a TD was scary, but the Illini came back nicely to score once more. Yes, the final score shows how effectively the Golden Gophers came back late in the game, but we'll take the Big Ten win on the road.
It would have been nice to see this team a bit sooner this year, but I'd rather have a few games to enjoy than none at all. Yes, it's been a rough season for Tim Brewster and his Gophers, as well, and the Iowa loss to Northwestern doesn't do much for the Big Ten rep. But a win is way more fun than a loss. And a win on the road bodes well for the future, especially after the free-fall that was the first half of the season.
Great game, boys! Go Illini!
Labels: Illini football, Jacob Charest, Terry Hawthorne
# posted by Alma Mater : 5:06 PM
