Illinitalk

The Illini men's gymnastics team is nationally competitive. I don't know what Coach Justin Spring was up to today, but let's hope he was at Memorial Stadium -- or at least watching the football game. Apparently Nathan Scheelhaase was trying out for a spot on Spring's team today.

I love watching the gymnasts twist and flip through the air. But I have to be honest. Watching Scheelhaase fly through the air made me nervous. I like the QB's commitment to getting the first Illini touchdown going up and over the defender, but Scheelhaase did that a couple more times in an effort to get a few more yards. And unless he knows how to land and fall (like gymnasts do), he's risking serious injury on football field. Nathan, hurling your body through the air looks cool on the highlights, but it's a long season, and we'd prefer you be able to play the whole time.

Aside from Scheelhaase's acrobatics, the Illini had plenty of other moments that made fans nervous:

• Injury: Illini O-lineman Hugh Thornton suffered a strained neck in the third quarter of the game. He was on the field for several minutes while his neck was immobilized before being carted off to the field and then sent to the hospital. Fortunately the injury wasn't as serious as it could have been.
  
• Defense: The Illini defense has improved immensely over last year, but they still allowed NIU plenty of big plays. The Huskies moved the ball efficiently on their scoring drives and competed in time of possession. This group has plenty to work on during the off week, since Big Ten opponents, especially at the beginning of the conference schedule, will be more difficult to contain than NIU QB Chandler Harnish and RB Chad Spann.
• Passing: Scheelhaase can run they ball. But his passing leaves plenty of room for improvement. He did complete 8 of 16 passes against the Huskies, but that accounted for just 70 yards. To allow Leshoure, Ford and himself room to run against Big Ten defenses, Scheelhaase needs to develop a legitimate passing game. He can make impressive plays (as he proved last week against SIU), but he needs to develop consistency.
• Third down conversions: The Illini were just 5 for 14 on third downs against NIU. With teams like Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State coming up, this will be a critical area for improvement.

However, both games against in-state "directionals" showed potential strengths for the Illini as they head into a tough Big Ten schedule.

• Kicking: Derek Dimke has been solid on kickoffs, field goals and PATs. And punter Anthony Santella has also done well, starting the day ranked 2nd in the nation. After a couple years of wince-inducing special teams play, it's great to have a reliable kicking game.
• Ground game: Mikel Leshoure continues to prove himself as the heart of the Illini running game, with another 100+ yard game. With Jason Ford alongside, the Illini have a stellar RB package. Add the ability of Scheelhaase to run the option, and it's no wonder that the Illini get most of their yards on the ground. Great fakes and pitches made the option especially effective against NIU.
  
• Tackles for loss: Although the Huskies broke free for big plays, the Illini defense continues to do a great job of stopping the ball behind the line of scrimmage. They started the day leading the Big Ten in this category. And basic tackling looks much, much better than it did just a couple years ago.

The Illini needed the wins against SIU and NIU before they head into the Big Ten season. Their conference schedule has a brutal start, with Ohio State coming to Champaign in two weeks, followed by trips to Happy Valley and East Lansing.

Go Illini!

Labels: Anthony Santella, Derek Dimke, Illini football, Jason Ford, Mikel Leshoure, Nathan Scheelhaase