Illinois 23, Kansas 17 Postgame

#251      
Mr. Tibbs
TheChief4Life said:
I may be in the minority, but the narrative “we looked horrible in the 3rd” I think is being overplayed. We had two possessions in the 3rd, and went 3-and-out in both of them. Yes, that’s bad, but there will be plenty of times that we go back-to-back possessions 3-and-out even against mediocre or worse teams, and no one will bat an eye because we’ll win 35-10 or something.

What made the 3rd quarter look “bad” is that Kansas had like an 8 1/2 minute drive that just seemed to go on forever in the middle of our two 3-and-out drives. I am sure others will point out all the terrible things that the defense did on that drive, but honestly, it was just “one of those drives”. Kansas just seemed destined to score on that drive.

Again, bookend that with weirdly called plays in two 3-and-out drives by the Illini, and it looks bad. I’d instead say they looked worse in the 3rd than any other quarter (maybe all year). But I wouldn’t say we were horrible or bad or anything like that.

Also, game situation dictates play calling. A 4th quarter where we’re up by 20 probably looks a lot more like the 3rd quarter we saw. But being down and needing chunk plays opens the playbook more.

That’s my take, at least.
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our 3rd qtr frustration really started 1/2 way thru the 1st qtr . we waited way too long to throw the ball 15 yards downfield . we have Franklin & Bryant and need to get them the ball consistently all game and not just on 3rd down
 
#253      
punchabove33
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Gettin' some love:

www.cbssports.com

Tomorrow's Top 25 Today: Texas jumps Ohio State as Michigan, Notre Dame tumble in college football rankings

Projecting the new AP Top 25 college football rankings after Week 2 of the 2024 season
www.cbssports.com www.cbssports.com

"24. Illinois (NR): In 2022, Bret Bielema got Illinois back into the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in 11 years. We're projecting that Saturday's win against Kansas will add another ranking to his tenure as the Illini found a way to win a tough nonconference battle after a sluggish and sloppy start. "

fansided.com

College football rankings: Projected AP Top 25 after Texas rolls, Notre Dame upset, Oregon survives in Week 2

Just when you think you have a grasp on something in the college football world and what AP Top 25 ranked teams look like, you get something like Saturday in We
fansided.com fansided.com

"25. Illinois Fighting Illini​

Last season, Bret Bielema and Illinois were blown out by Kansas. So as they welcomed the Jayhawks to Champaign this week, there had to be some revenge on their minds. But the truth is, Illinois is just a better team than they were a year ago. Luke Altmyer has progressed, the defense is no longer a saloon door and they put the clamps on Jalon Daniels in this matchup to vault into the Top 25 with a big win"

www.si.com

College football rankings: Predicting the AP top 25 poll for Week 3

As we survey the damage from the latest games on Saturday, let's look ahead to the AP top 25 college football rankings heading into Week 3 Who's moving up? Who'
www.si.com www.si.com

"25. Illinois. Beating a ranked Kansas team in a key non-conference game could benefit Bret Bielema's team."

www.on3.com

College Football Rankings: Predicting AP Poll Top 25 after Week 2

What was billed as a Show Me Week 2 turned into a Survival Saturday, as a bulk of Top 25 teams (the comeback kids of the Big 12, plus Oregon, Penn State, Alabama, Oklahoma and LSU) held on to overcome sloppy performances. And yet, some teams weren’t so fortunate to avoid the chaos of carnage […]
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"24. Illinois (Last week: Unranked)​

What a return to the Top 25 for Bret Bielema and the Fighting Illini. Illinois upset No. 19 Kansas 23-17, beating a ranked non-conference opponent for the first time since 2011. Despite being out-gained through the air and on the ground, the Illini frustrated Jalon Daniels into three interceptions and benefitted from some miscues by the Jayhawks (touchdown wiped out by a penalty). Illinois scored the go-ahed touchdown early in the fourth quarter and never looked back. "
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Let’s stay unranked please.:: too soon
 
#254      
NashvILLe05
spotter said:
Best stadium atmosphere start to finish since the Michigan game in 2000 and the OSU game in 2002 - both losses by the Illini. What a game!

Loved it. But now I'm:

Tired King Of Queens GIF by TV Land
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I was at that 2002 OSU game and you’re right, it was an incredible atmosphere. Glad to hear we’re reaching that level of energy again!
 
#255      
gibb52
Gloating isn't nice but I see our neighbors to the west lost a tough one. Our friends to the north lost to a basketball school. Our other friends to the north had a tough outing against some cattle ranchers (not that there is anything wrong with cattle ranching). At least our friends to the east saved the day with a convincing win over the Presbyterian Ladies Quilting Association. Indinia on the march, you go, boys.
 
#256      
NashvILLe05
AutoPoster 3000 said:
Friends we’re not talking enough about Zakhari Franklin‘s absolutely sick one handed catch.

We’re also not talking enough about Zakhari Franklin‘a nearly as sick and absolutely clutch toe-tapper that gave us that critical conversion.
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He was insane! I was so impressed by his hands and body control. What a pull from the portal! Could he be the “Domask” of our football team this year!?!
 
#259      
and 69 others
Fuze said:
There were supposedly about 1800 high schoolers there and probably a good bit over 2k total once you account for their directors, staff, and chaperones who all got seats. Toss in the strangler Kansas fans that were scattered and you probably get
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Kansas brought stranglers?!?!?! That is such a typical jerk move from Jayhawks fans! I hope everyone survived. 🙏
 
#261      
Illini4Christ
It wasn’t the 15 point win that I predicted but I’ll take it. This is the 2022 team with a higher powered offense. It looks like eight home games and eight home wins.
 
#263      
CaptainCrutch
Thoughts from under the overhang:

1. GOOD: Man, defensive backfield was very much improved. Watch Jalon Daniel’s post-game presser. Henry had him cooked. We knew DL was going to be a problem for us this year and we’ll need to find a solution for that but we needed a strength and the backfield’s giving it to us.

2. BAD: Luke Altmeyer seems like he’s processing the game a bit slow still. He’s got a great arm and he’s very mobile but he’s missed a few guys that could have bailed him out of some bad sacks. He’s not seeing it and that’s gotta get worked on or he’s got a pretty low ceiling. I like Luke and think he’s the best QB we’ve had in a while (I think he’s over DeVito at this point) but that’s gonna be a big limiter on him taking that jump into college’s elite QB’s.

3. UGLY: man, can we get a bit of crowd education? We got loud on third down which was nice but we also had several times where we were getting loud on our own third downs. That is the worst lol figure it out. Doesn’t help that on a critical third down the stadium did the Freddy Mercury “aaaooooo” prairie dog thing like right when we needed to quiet down to let the offense communicate. I’m hopeful moving the student section back behind the visitors next year will give us that boost we need to put everyone else in the right mindset.

4. LOOKING AHEAD: don’t let this game get to your head and think we’re going for 10-12 wins, but we really might only have 1-2 games at this point that I think are tall orders. Oregon (tough tough) and either Penn State or Nebraska on the road look real hard. Everything else is on the table. We’ll drop some, will have a frustrating loss or two, but man oh man 6-8 wins seems like a real possibility if health stays on our side.
 
#264      
pruman91
We really need to improve our pass rush as Daniels had a lot of time to go through his reads but we were lucky his completion % sucked and we got 3 key interceptions and one was a big pick 6 to turn the momentum right before halftime........

Luke , to me , looked better than last year with his downfield completions.....Here's hoping Lunney will keep giving Luke options for those attempts as Bryant and Franklin are top notch WR's.........

Keep improving in all the areas that need improvement and we could see a better than anticipated record at season's end.......

as always , JMHO..........................
 
#266      
TheChief4Life
CaptainCrutch said:
Thoughts from under the overhang:

1. GOOD: Man, defensive backfield was very much improved. Watch Jalon Daniel’s post-game presser. Henry had him cooked. We knew DL was going to be a problem for us this year and we’ll need to find a solution for that but we needed a strength and the backfield’s giving it to us.

2. BAD: Luke Altmeyer seems like he’s processing the game a bit slow still. He’s got a great arm and he’s very mobile but he’s missed a few guys that could have bailed him out of some bad sacks. He’s not seeing it and that’s gotta get worked on or he’s got a pretty low ceiling. I like Luke and think he’s the best QB we’ve had in a while (I think he’s over DeVito at this point) but that’s gonna be a big limiter on him taking that jump into college’s elite QB’s.

3. UGLY: man, can we get a bit of crowd education? We got loud on third down which was nice but we also had several times where we were getting loud on our own third downs. That is the worst lol figure it out. Doesn’t help that on a critical third down the stadium did the Freddy Mercury “aaaooooo” prairie dog thing like right when we needed to quiet down to let the offense communicate. I’m hopeful moving the student section back behind the visitors next year will give us that boost we need to put everyone else in the right mindset.

4. LOOKING AHEAD: don’t let this game get to your head and think we’re going for 10-12 wins, but we really might only have 1-2 games at this point that I think are tall orders. Oregon (tough tough) and either Penn State or Nebraska on the road look real hard. Everything else is on the table. We’ll drop some, will have a frustrating loss or two, but man oh man 6-8 wins seems like a real possibility if health stays on our side.
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I still hold to the fact that we need an education video similar to the one Mizzou got roasted for a few years ago. To this day, I don’t know why they got roasted for it. We have passionate fans. Passionate, UNEDUCATED fans.

When do we cheer; how do we cheer; what do we cheer; etc etc…

Also, whether you like the Chief or not, the third down hand clap cheer was the worst on all of football and I’m glad it got retired. People look stupid and are unhelpful when they still continue to do it.

Finally, the praise dog aaaaaoooo thing happens during a TV time out if I’m not mistaken. Again… weird time to do it given the current game situation, but I think it stopped before the playclock started.

I know a lot of us want fans to “act like they’ve been there before”, but the simple reality is… most of our fans haven’t. They hear the announcer say “3rd and 8 for the Illini”, and they immediately want to start cheering. The scoreboard does the whole “quiet: offense at work” thing (which, side note: stays on WAAAAAAY too long so that no one can watch the play on the scoreboard), but clearly that’s not enough to get the message across.

One thing I am LOVING this year is the I-L-L’s after a first down. The whole place yelling “I-N-I” back is just awesome. Especially a packed house like last night.
 
#270      
blackdog
CaptainCrutch said:
Thoughts from under the overhang:

1. GOOD: Man, defensive backfield was very much improved. Watch Jalon Daniel’s post-game presser. Henry had him cooked. We knew DL was going to be a problem for us this year and we’ll need to find a solution for that but we needed a strength and the backfield’s giving it to us.

2. BAD: Luke Altmeyer seems like he’s processing the game a bit slow still. He’s got a great arm and he’s very mobile but he’s missed a few guys that could have bailed him out of some bad sacks. He’s not seeing it and that’s gotta get worked on or he’s got a pretty low ceiling. I like Luke and think he’s the best QB we’ve had in a while (I think he’s over DeVito at this point) but that’s gonna be a big limiter on him taking that jump into college’s elite QB’s.

3. UGLY: man, can we get a bit of crowd education? We got loud on third down which was nice but we also had several times where we were getting loud on our own third downs. That is the worst lol figure it out. Doesn’t help that on a critical third down the stadium did the Freddy Mercury “aaaooooo” prairie dog thing like right when we needed to quiet down to let the offense communicate. I’m hopeful moving the student section back behind the visitors next year will give us that boost we need to put everyone else in the right mindset.

4. LOOKING AHEAD: don’t let this game get to your head and think we’re going for 10-12 wins, but we really might only have 1-2 games at this point that I think are tall orders. Oregon (tough tough) and either Penn State or Nebraska on the road look real hard. Everything else is on the table. We’ll drop some, will have a frustrating loss or two, but man oh man 6-8 wins seems like a real possibility if health stays on our side.
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I keep emphasizing this with Luke but he's a RS-sophomore, he's got lots of time and room to grow still. Hopefully game reps and experience will help the game slow down for him over time.
 
#271      
Mr. Tibbs
blackdog said:
I keep emphasizing this with Luke but he's a RS-sophomore, he's got lots of time and room to grow still. Hopefully game reps and experience will help the game slow down for him over time.
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I’m pretty sure he’s a rs-Jr .
one more year of eligibility after this season

Leary is a rs-Soph
 
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#273      
chiefini
As a 40 year football season ticket holder, I have watched a ton of Illini games. For all those who have complained about complacent Illini fans and the awful Illini game day experience, this game dispelled all of those complaints. The atmosphere all day was electric. From the super crowded Illiniwalk, tent and fan filled Grange Grove, and full-on tailgating in Lot 31, to the orange smoke entrance and introduction of starters, to the sounding of the siren with a former Illini great to the beat of a bass drum with the slow clap, to the veteran of the game at midfield announced between God Bless America and the National anthem, to the loud I-L-L/I-N-I on first downs, to almost the entire crowd screaming and standing through the whole game and ENTIRE fourth quarter, students filling all of their sections and staying until the very end, to the rushing of the field after the incredible win, the game day experience with its new traditions was fun, exciting, and memorable. This victory was special and will never be forgotten. :illinois: -L-L
:chief::hailtotheorange::chief:
 

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#275      
LocalChief505
chiefini said:
As a 40 year football season ticket holder, I have watched a ton of Illini games. For all those who have complained about complacent Illini fans and the awful Illini game day experience, this game dispelled all of those complaints. The atmosphere all day was electric. From the super crowded Illiniwalk, tent and fan filled Grange Grove, and full-on tailgating in Lot 31, to the orange smoke entrance and introduction of starters, to the sounding of the siren with a former Illini great to the beat of a bass drum with the slow clap, to the veteran of the game at midfield announced between God Bless America and the National anthem, to the loud I-L-L/I-N-I on first downs, to almost the entire crowd screaming and standing through the whole game and ENTIRE fourth quarter, students filling all of their sections and staying until the very end, to the rushing of the field after the incredible win, the game day experience with its new traditions was fun, exciting, and memorable. This victory was special and will never be forgotten. :illinois: -L-L
:chief::hailtotheorange::chief:
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The experience from last year to this year has indeed been a major step forward. As someone who had a lot of issues with things last year, i have been pleasantly surprised this year at the work that has been put in!
 
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