Illinitalk

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

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

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

After a tough neutral-site battle to open the season, Ron Zook and the Illini will be in Champaign for their 2010 season home opener against the Salukis of Southern Illinois. This is one of those games that the Illini need to -- and should -- win. But given the unpredictability of the college football season so far, nothing should be taken for granted.

Here are a few players to watch:

• QB Nathan Scheelhaase has potential, but he needs to hold on to the ball and throw it to his own men. Now that he has his first start under his belt, expect to see him hold on a bit better. He sounds like he's learning quickly as a redshirt freshman.
  
• The Illini defense leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss after the first game. After owning the line in the first half against Mizzou, they should be able to last longer and prove themselves stronger against the Salukis.
  
• RB Mikel Leshoure is closing in on 1,000 career rushing yards. He should be able to pass that mark Saturday.
• A healthy LB Martez Wilson should be able to show off his athleticism and prove that he's grown into his position.
• WR A.J. Jenkins played well last weekend, and hopes to be on the other end of more Scheelhaase TD passes.
• Clay Nurse has been moved to Bandit following the suspension of Michael Buchanan.
  

The Illini have a great record in home openers. In fact, the opener against Illinois State was one of the two home games they claimed last year. They need a win to build on their solid performance in the loss last weekend.

Go Illini!

Labels: A.J. Jenkins, Clay Nurse, Illini football, Martez Wilson, Mikel Leshoure, Nathan Scheelhaase

...when the air cools, the fields start to fire (meaning the corn starts to turn brown), and football becomes the game of the day. Get excited!

A hectic summer schedule prevented me from spending much time previewing Ron Zook and his 2010 Fighting Illini, but based on what they showed us in the opener, this rebuilding holds promise. I had no idea what to expect, and low expectations, so I was pleased with the 13-3 halftime lead over Mizzou. It's not a good sign when I start cheering, "Go clock, go!" just minutes into the third quarter, but the Illini didn't give up. They put in a stellar first half and didn't completely fold in the second half. This Illini team has something to build on.


Defense: I want to start here because they were such a question mark last season. At the start of the game, the Illini forced a 3-and-out against a proven offense. Yes, Mizzou sputtered throughout the first half, but give the Illini credit for taking advantage of those first-game miscues. A recovered fumble, solid tackles, deflected passes, and more. Despite being thin, the secondary held well in the first half. The linebackers pursued the ball. And the D-line pressured Gabbert well. The second half was a different story, as Gabbert caught his rhythm. But these guys kept playing and hitting hard.

Offense: It looks completely different with a new QB, but Nathan Scheelhaase has potential. He can run, and that fits well into the option offense that the Illini have run the last few years. His arm is adequate, and he's got some good targets. With time and experience, the passing game could become a complement to the running game. (At least once the turnover tendency is cleaned up.) And the running game will be where the Illini have a chance to shine this year. Behind Scheelhaase, Mikel Leshoure has both power and speed. He will be fun to watch.

Special teams: Here's hoping the 52-yard field goal is a sign of what the special teams are capable of. That was a great boost heading into halftime. Kickoff coverage was solid, as was the kicking game itself. Definitely improvement over last year.

I expect that this season will bring moments that are hard to watch, like the Mizzou drives in the second half. But if we can have periods like the long, steady Illini drive in the first quarter, this season could be a pleasant surprise, as the Illini rebuild. The question, of course, is what does Zook need to accomplish to retain his job?

Regardless, I'm excited that football season is here. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Mikel Leshoure, Nathan Scheelhaase