10/24 News & Notes - OT Corey Lewis to play vs Indiana

[Dan]

Eleven Adjustments #8: Obsess Over Turnovers - http://tinyurl.com/9odos2h - #Illini #FB

http://twitter.com/ALionEye

[Dan]

Let the good times roll

The UI's two leading tacklers, Ashante Williams and Jonathan Brown, addressed team concerns this week.

"This is a must win, do or die," Williams said. "If we lose to Indiana on homecoming, that'll probably end our hopes for a third straight bowl.

"There's been a lot of soul searching to figure out what's happened, and to get everyone pulling together. We're way better than we've been playing.

"As for injuries, a lot have been more serious than people realize, and the guys have been toughing it out.

"Coach Beckman has been tremendous through this. I like the way he runs the program. I feel if we play as a team and trust one another we can overcome when adversity hits. It always seems like there is a turning point and we get down and don't respond. It's not the system, it's guys buying in."

Tate

[quhawks12]

From the Tate article interesting to see Williams say that some of the injuries have been much more serious than they might look.

[quhawks12]

Sounds like the guys might be getting a little bit of confidence back after a week off and a couple weeks of practice and meetings. A win this week could go a long way for this season and really this off-season. If we can win 2 or 3 games out of these last 5 it will be huge for this off season.

We really needed a bowl this year to get that extra months worth of practices in. That would have helped so much with momentum going into spring ball. Oh well. Lets get a couple of W's in these last 5 and see what we can do with that.

[pizzaman]

Whether they get to a bowl or not is not as important as just showing improvement. Continued blowout losses is no way to end the season for the team, coaches or fans.

[quhawks12]

Originally Posted by pizzaman

Whether they get to a bowl or not is not as important as just showing improvement. Continued blowout losses is no way to end the season for the team, coaches or fans.

Getting to a bowl would be ENORMOUS simply for the extra month of practice they would get. I can't tell you how important that extra practice time is especially with a whole new system on each side of the ball.

It's not going to happen so, yes, on that note now the goal is to show improvement week to week.

[pizzaman]

Originally Posted by quhawks12

Getting to a bowl would be ENORMOUS simply for the extra month of practice they would get. I can't tell you how important that extra practice time is especially with a whole new system on each side of the ball.

It's not going to happen so, yes, on that note now the goal is to show improvement week to week.

You're correct, I'm thinking small steps after what we've seen so far this season.

[UIGrad03]

Glad they still have bowl aspirations but I am just hoping for competitive games let alone Ws or a BOWL.

[TooHot4Tots]

Considering players are having a difficult time with the pressure of making it to the Big Ten Championship game (only a couple expressed this), I highly doubt they could handle the pressure of making a Bowl game. Hate to come off negative like that, but this team just need to focus practice by practice and game by game. Continue to improve and buy in to the system which still seems to be some of the issues.

[dsg]

Originally Posted by pizzaman

You're correct, I'm thinking small steps after what we've seen so far this season.

I believe "Lanes to Lucas" was the primary cause of the melt down at the beginning of this season. Now that the focus has changed to taking these smaller steps, I really do think we will start seeing progress.

Illinois defensive back Ashante Williams wasn’t wearing that orange rubber bracelet Monday.

“By that championship thing being on the bracelet, guys were thinking, ‘We’ve got to get there.’ Guys were playing with so much pressure,’’ Williams said.

Evidently, this was a team that needed a more fundamental approach, rather than thinking big. Successful coaches refer to it as enjoying the process rather than worrying about the result.

Supinie

[quhawks12]

I'm not sure I'm buying that. Their goal SHOULD BE to make it to Lucas Oil every year! This is weak...weak excuse from the players.

[jackman404]

Originally Posted by quhawks12

I'm not sure I'm buying that. Their goal SHOULD BE to make it to Lucas Oil every year! This is weak...weak excuse from the players.

I agree. We started the season getting zero votes in any top 25 poll, even after our good victory in week one we still got no votes. Nobody expected us to be very good this season, I think most were in the 5-7 to 7-5 range for predictions. If the players can't handle the pressure of fans expecting a mediocre season, then we have a serious problem on our hands.

[Dan]

#Illini coach Tim Beckman says OT Corey Lewis will see the field this week. Lewis has missed last two years with injuries.

http://twitter.com/MarcusJ_NG

#illini OT Corey Lewis was cleared to play 2 weeks ago, and Beckman said he'll likely play vs Ind.; hasn't played in 2 yrs bc of knee injury

Beckman: "It's one of those stories to me that is a highlight of being a student-athlete in college football."

Beckman said Lewis has made "amazing" progress. Never saw him play before he was cleared. Players excited to see him on the field.

Beckman on Lewis: "He's going to add. He gives us more depth at the tackle position."

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

[Dan]

Also on Corey Lewis, #illini may petition NCAA to ask for a sixth year of eligibility. Lewwis used medical harship waiver during 2010 season

http://twitter.com/WernerESPNCU

[Dan]

The problem with this team starts with an offensive line that is one of the worst units in the nation. Our QBs are constantly under attack and uncomfortable, we lack playmakers at WR, and our RBs rarely get decent openings to work with. If we manage to setup a nice play, our downfield blocking leaves a lot to be desired.

Show me a QB who is under constant pressure, I'll show you bad QB play. Illinois has given up 23 sacks this season, good for 115th in the nation.

Where do our plays go that develop behind the line of scrimmage? Nowhere. Illinois has given up 59 tackles for loss, good for 121th (of 124) in the nation.

Where are our big plays? Almost non-existent. Illinois has 5 plays of 30+ yards, dead last in the nation.

When we miraculously venture into the red zone we score points only 68% of the time (114th in the nation).

No QB protection & no downfield threats. A dream for opposing defenses which have enjoyed 18 Illinois turnovers (112th in the nation).

Throw in a special teams that has zero kickoff returns for 30+ yards, zero punt returns for 20+ yards, & at least 2 turnovers, it's simply a bit ol' football disaster.

Plus, and I hate to beat this dead horse, Beckman's decision to kick the 50-yd FG in bad weather on 4th & 4 from the Michigan 32 in the 2nd quarter was one of the most demoralizing decisions in years. The fans who come out to support this team over the final 3 home games are fantastic.

And yet here is a tiny bit of hope. The defenses Illinois will face in the final 5 games won't be as strong as what we've seen of late. Beat Indiana

[quhawks12]

First off...great news for Corey Lewis. Happy for the young man to work this hard over 2 years to hopefully get back in a few games! Hope he gets that 6th year too!

[quhawks12]

Originally Posted by Dan

The problem with this team starts with an offensive line that is one of the worst units in the nation. Our QBs are constantly under attack and uncomfortable, we lack playmakers at WR, and our RBs rarely get decent openings to work with. If we manage to setup a nice play, our downfield blocking leaves a lot to be desired.

Show me a QB who is under constant pressure, I'll show you bad QB play. Illinois has given up 23 sacks this season, good for 115th in the nation.

Where do our plays go that develop behind the line of scrimmage? Nowhere. Illinois has given up 59 tackles for loss, good for 121th (of 124) in the nation.

Where are our big plays? Almost non-existent. Illinois has 5 plays of 30+ yards, dead last in the nation.

When we miraculously venture into the red zone we score points only 68% of the time (114th in the nation).

No QB protection & no downfield threats. A dream for opposing defenses which have enjoyed 18 Illinois turnovers (112th in the nation).

Throw in a special teams that has zero kickoff returns for 30+ yards, zero punt returns for 20+ yards, & at least 2 turnovers, it's simply a bit ol' football disaster.

Plus, and I hate to beat this dead horse, Beckman's decision to kick the 50-yd FG in bad weather on 4th & 4 from the Michigan 32 in the 2nd quarter was one of the most demoralizing decisions in years. The fans who come out to support this team over the final 3 home games are fantastic.

And yet here is a tiny bit of hope. The defenses Illinois will face in the final 5 games won't be as strong as what we've seen of late. Beat Indiana

Exactly.

[doubled]

This is great news! Can't imagine how he is feeling. Talking about C Lewis of course.

[Dan]

Ashante Williams

Illinois fans may notice Ashante Williams on the punt and punt return teams this Saturday against Indiana.

For the team's leading tackler, those are duties added to an already busy schedule on game days. He's essentially the only player on the roster that can play the 'Star' position, a safety/linebacker hybrid that can defend both the run and pass.

And he's on the kickoff team, too, leaving little time to catch a breath during games.

"I welcome the challenge," Williams said. "I like playing, so it's nothing I can't handle."

Fletcher Page

[Botb9]

Originally Posted by Dan

The problem with this team starts with an offensive line that is one of the worst units in the nation. Our QBs are constantly under attack and uncomfortable, we lack playmakers at WR, and our RBs rarely get decent openings to work with. If we manage to setup a nice play, our downfield blocking leaves a lot to be desired.

Show me a QB who is under constant pressure, I'll show you bad QB play. Illinois has given up 23 sacks this season, good for 115th in the nation.

Where do our plays go that develop behind the line of scrimmage? Nowhere. Illinois has given up 59 tackles for loss, good for 121th (of 124) in the nation.

Where are our big plays? Almost non-existent. Illinois has 5 plays of 30+ yards, dead last in the nation.

When we miraculously venture into the red zone we score points only 68% of the time (114th in the nation).

No QB protection & no downfield threats. A dream for opposing defenses which have enjoyed 18 Illinois turnovers (112th in the nation).

Throw in a special teams that has zero kickoff returns for 30+ yards, zero punt returns for 20+ yards, & at least 2 turnovers, it's simply a bit ol' football disaster.

Plus, and I hate to beat this dead horse, Beckman's decision to kick the 50-yd FG in bad weather on 4th & 4 from the Michigan 32 in the 2nd quarter was one of the most demoralizing decisions in years. The fans who come out to support this team over the final 3 home games are fantastic.

And yet here is a tiny bit of hope. The defenses Illinois will face in the final 5 games won't be as strong as what we've seen of late. Beat Indiana

You forgot kicking. I don't know what the rank is, but how many points have we left on the field now that the guy kicking the ball is not Dimke?

I'll add one more point: if you have a top-20 defense, you can often overcome offensive problems by simply getting field-position turnovers and running a few successful plays. With an average defense, a bad offense makes a bad team.

A new coach with a new system and players that don't necessarily fit that system often lead to these types of seasons. I can only hope that is the issue this year. If so, though, that makes me fear the basketball season more.

[quhawks12]

Originally Posted by Botb9

You forgot kicking. I don't know what the rank is, but how many points have we left on the field now that the guy kicking the ball is not Dimke?

12. You are worked up over 12 points. We have missed 2 from 40+ and 1 from 50+ (there was 1 gimme that we missed).

FG kicking is the least of our problems. Mostly because of those 12 points we've left on the table...6 of them should have never been attempted because we should have gone for it on 4th down.

[KJKobs]

Great to hear that Corey Lewis has been cleared to play. It's definitely been a long road back and I look forward to seeing him on the field on Saturday!

[quhawks12]

Originally Posted by Botb9

You forgot kicking. I don't know what the rank is, but how many points have we left on the field now that the guy kicking the ball is not Dimke?

We also missed those FG's in games that we lost by a total of 90 points. And we did miss one in the WMU game which we won.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by dsg

I believe "Lanes to Lucas" was the primary cause of the melt down at the beginning of this season. Now that the focus has changed to taking these smaller steps, I really do think we will start seeing progress.

I've seen this kind of stretching for a rationale thing before. I seriously doubt that wearing or not wearing the bracelet, setting a goal of reaching a championship game, etc.. will make any real difference.

However, playing a vulnerable team like IU could certainly provide an opportunity to build confidence.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by quhawks12

First off...great news for Corey Lewis. Happy for the young man to work this hard over 2 years to hopefully get back in a few games! Hope he gets that 6th year too!

Seems like the perfect candidate for a sixth year having missed all of the 2010 and 2011 seasons with injuries (as well as half of 2012). Amazing that he is playing again.