Illinois 21, Michigan 7 Postgame
Same here... Many of us old timers (and I don't know IlliniKat91 nor how old they are, but...) have this embedded into our souls...
Valentine has played in every game so far besides this past week against Michigan, so a redshirt is not possible. Probably because of the blocking ability, McCray had some good blocks on the blind side to give Luke a little more time.
for those of you more well versed in this than I-
I loved the motion to screen throws to ZF/PB against Purdue. was a new wrinkle to get the ball into our best players hands on the outside but wasnt called once against Michigan.
was this a strategic/game plan choice or thought not to be a good option given Michigan's defense vs Purdue?
I loved the motion to screen throws to ZF/PB against Purdue. was a new wrinkle to get the ball into our best players hands on the outside but wasnt called once against Michigan.
was this a strategic/game plan choice or thought not to be a good option given Michigan's defense vs Purdue?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I mentioned this to the friends I was watching with.
My assumption is that both from a coaching/discipline perspective and a talent/speed perspective, we were much, much more able to break contain on Purdue's defense on those misdirection plays than Michigan's defense, and the calls changed accordingly.
And then we obviously saw something we liked on film with those Statue of Liberty-esque draw plays vs. Michigan.
Didn't get to see the game live but have watched most of it on replay & heard 4th quarter on radio live.
How long has it been since Illinois had such a smashmouth type of win against a big name opponent. Our great teams in the modern era were offensively skilled (2001) or just had absurd talent (2007). Maybe 2007 at Ohio State compares with the way we ran clock out at end. But Saturday was just an old school kind of game. Pretty vanilla offense with hard hitting defense, good pass rush & some timely turnovers.
Bret Bielema kind of football. I have officially declared he is the best coach since at least Mackovic & I don't think he will be taking the Texas job any time soon.
How long has it been since Illinois had such a smashmouth type of win against a big name opponent. Our great teams in the modern era were offensively skilled (2001) or just had absurd talent (2007). Maybe 2007 at Ohio State compares with the way we ran clock out at end. But Saturday was just an old school kind of game. Pretty vanilla offense with hard hitting defense, good pass rush & some timely turnovers.
Bret Bielema kind of football. I have officially declared he is the best coach since at least Mackovic & I don't think he will be taking the Texas job any time soon.
yeah, i like the delay wrinkle that Laughery capitalized on. im no OC but seemed like scheming in a few if those motion looks light have helped keep the DBs honest/set up for misdirection.
either way, has been heartening to see some significantly difference sets the past 2 weeks
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
Ohio State game in 2007 when they were ranked #1 is best example I can think of
Beating Penn St there 3 years ago also close
Bielema actually a better overall coach than Mackovic, imo
best Illinois coach since Ray Eliot
when BB retires , there will be a statue of him on the football campus somewhere. our offense will never lead the B1G in passing stats, but maybe in rushing and TOP
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I was only going back in my lifetime. White is really the first coach I remember. I've always wondered what Mackovic would have done had he turned down TX. Those mid 90's Tepper teams would have been much better IMO. No way that 94 team goes 6-5 with Rice & Hardy.
Bret is positioned to be the best IL coach of modern times IMO. He's not a young "sexy" guy that is looking to move on to the next big thing. He's done that when he went to Arkansas & got a slice of humble pie. As you say, his teams will most likely not set offensive records but he just knows how to put his guys in position to compete. And frankly we don't have many (or any) 5 star difference maker kind of guys on the roster. He's coaching them up & the team buys into him. Seems like a guy that will be here as long as he wants the job.
We've lacked that "solid coach" for so long that could establish a consistent program. He seems to be on his way. Last year was a slight downer but it very easily could have been a 7-5 season instead of 5-7. Primed to finish good this year & next year lots of key guys return. A couple good back to back years & I think a few big time recruits will fall their way. That is one thing we lack at the moment. That "home run hitter" that can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Get a couple of those guys surrounded by a solid core of talent & then you can play with the big boys on a consistent basis.
On top of that, he seems like a really likable guy and is a good face of the program.
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
Bonus points for hornswoggled.
That was good, but the delivery needed to be more “old timey.”
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
The Fast-Talking Reporter Guy archetype, with a hint of Mid-Atlantic accent. (Cary Grant, not Bawlmer.)
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Please don't call 37 old. I'm not ready yet
(even though my achy shoulder has me knowing better)While I doubt history will record him quite like Grange, I can’t help but think this will be remembered by Illini fans who saw it as the Tanner Arkin game.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
i’ll remember that play as the one I thought we totally goofed up a punt snap and were about to give up valuable field positionWhile I doubt history will record him quite like Grange, I can’t help but think this will be remembered by Illini fans who saw it as the Tanner Arkin game.