Illinois v The Ohio State University - 11/10/07

[chimpanzee]

There was an cutaway-interview with J. Leman during the game. He was talking about hyenas & lions. Can someone give me the quote?

I think it was something about how a pack of hyenas can drive off a lion from its kill. Like an in-exhaustible supply of Russian T-34s VS a few German Tiger tanks outside Leningrad.

"Quantity.. has a certain Quality about it"
-- US military historian (about T-34 tank)

[illinois_hustle]

I had to coach my basketball team while the 2nd half was on, but my wife text-ed me every 90 seconds or so, and then I went wild ...

What a win! The best in Illini football recent history! This one will stay on my TiVo for a LOOOOOOONG time.

[twincityillini]

I'm (almost) speechless. It's nice to know that true freshman Miami Thomas is..............A F*ING STUD!!



GO ILLINI!!!!

[illini4everjp]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

Buckeyes captain claims a few UI players "stomped" on the block "O" at midfield, prompting OSU's thuggish response ... http://www.thepalestra.com/player.php?id=8231

Stomped on the "O"?!

1. Who cares?
2. If we had beaten Michigan, would they care if we stomped on the "M"
3. If they had beaten Michigan, wouldn't they have?

[Illinois88]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

Buckeyes captain claims a few UI players "stomped" on the block "O" at midfield, prompting OSU's thuggish response ... http://www.thepalestra.com/player.php?id=8231

Kinda like what happened at Michigan St. a year or two ago. I'm kinda disappointed then. The guys should've stayed classy.

[WOLFE]

Originally Posted by illinois_hustle

I had to coach my basketball team while the 2nd half was on, but my wife text-ed me every 90 seconds or so, and then I went wild ...

What a win! The best in Illini football recent history! This one will stay on my TiVo for a LOOOOOOONG time.

You win your game

[illini4everjp]

Originally Posted by Illinois88

Kinda like what happened at Michigan St. a year or two ago. I'm kinda disappointed then. The guys should've stayed classy.

F classy. Michigan State is one thing, but Ohio State?!? We just beat the #1 team in the country in their own place, home of what many consider the most hostile fanbase in the country. Let them take a dump on the O, I dont care.

[WOLFE]

Not the best thing to do... but this is a young team that got their ASSES handed to them 2 years ago in Columbus, then barely lost at home last year.... give them their moment in the sun.. What is it that they said to LT for the chargers.. if you don't like it take care of it on the field during the game....

[WOLFE]

http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/b...-final-91.html


Got this quote from the Buckeyes boards most are not this flattering


You're correct though.. I've been impressed with Zook for what he's doine since he's gotten here. I've seen so many people bash him and understandably so, but the man can get talent and as we found out today he isn't too bad at making that talent perfoorm either. Who was the poster who said that "this is the kind of game Zook will win".. I remember earlier in the week a poster of another fan base said Zook will blow a game to a lesser team but will beat someone like the #1 Buckeyes. I thin it was a gator fan? Whoever it was he couldn't have been mor correct!! Come forward cuz I want to give you some greens

[WOLFE]

They are also throwing around the "Classless", one guy even said our team is full of acedemic rejects..... now comeon. if you can win that many games in a row and get your ass stomped by florida you have to able to lose graciously... we have been doing it for 4 years

[illini4everjp]

Originally Posted by WOLFE

They are also throwing around the "Classless", one guy even said our team is full of acedemic rejects..... now comeon. if you can win that many games in a row and get your ass stomped by florida you have to able to lose graciously... we have been doing it for 4 years

May I also add, F* them - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlZnGQgKPw8

[kingt131]

I just finished watching the game. Had to work til 9 so I recorded it.
!!!!!!Wow!!!!!! Illinois deserved to win. Juice was absolutely fantastic. I just wish Benn got his hands on it some more but that was a great ballgame.

AWESOME!!!!!!


Hey Buckeye's...paybacks a bit$h huh?!

[illynifan34]

Originally Posted by illini4everjp

May I also add, F* them - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlZnGQgKPw8

no kidding, we're not allowed to celebrate arguably the biggest win in the history of the program, what was our record previously against number 1s, it was crap, then in the midst of a turn around season to turn around a program and we can't celebrate, bull sh** I say to that, I'm gonna celebrate, and whenever I see a buckeye fan I'm gonna remind them of the day that we ended their championship dream.

[fightingillini fan 4-ever]

Originally Posted by illini4everjp

F classy. Michigan State is one thing, but Ohio State?!? We just beat the #1 team in the country in their own place, home of what many consider the most hostile fanbase in the country. Let them take a dump on the O, I dont care.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Classy goes both ways. They just want to cry a little. WHO knows what really happened. They were looking for a reason to act like an ass and did so. That interview pissed me off. How about loosing w/class also and by the way, you were #1 but not anymore.... GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by WOLFE

Who was the poster who said that "this is the kind of game Zook will win".. I remember earlier in the week a poster of another fan base said Zook will blow a game to a lesser team but will beat someone like the #1 Buckeyes. I thin it was a gator fan? Whoever it was he couldn't have been mor correct!! Come forward cuz I want to give you some greens

I came forward on these boards and said that as well. And I'm an Ohio State fan.

The only thing I have to complain about is the whole jumping on top of the Block O at midfield, starting an altercation after the game. Illinois didn't need to do that, because they played a great game. Just walk away, and don't tryo to disrespect Ohio State. But, let us forget about it. Don't want to start an argument.

Let us talk about what your Illini did right, cause from my view in 5C, I saw a lot of things the Illini did right.

First of all, your fans at the game were great. From my view, I could see the two large sections where there were Illini fans. They were energetic the whole way. It was nice to see. After the game, they were very respectful. Props.

Secondly, earlier on, I asked about how well Juice had developed his passing game. Well, he made some great throws that were executed in tough spots. But, I was mostly impressed by your route running. It really set up a lot of confusing matchups and led to an easy pass for Juice. Great play by the receivers.

Thirdly, the no-huddle offense. The reason why Juice kept on getting 1st downs on 3rd down in the 4th quarter was that the defense was so completely worn out throughout the game. Beautiful game plan. We never got our reserves in.

Fourth, I told you guys Danny Dufrene and Troy Pollard could replace the productivity of Mendenhall.

Fifth, no penalties. There were 3 penalties the whole game for both teams. When you don't make mistakes, mistakes don't bite you in the rear end.

Sixth, poor play by Todd Boeckman of Ohio State. He threw into double coverage 3 times instead of tucking and running. A lot of times, he threw into double coverage after tucking and running on the previous play. When our quarterback makes dumb decisions, and your quarterback makes safe decisions, your quarterback wins the game.

Seventh, Ron Zook. As I said earlier, the guy got the rough end of a bad deal at Florida. Steve Spurrier was a terrible recruiter near the end of his days at Florida. Zook revived the recruiting at Florida, while taking a ton of criticism on Day One. Illinois should definitely appreciate should an honest and hard worker. Great coach. No one should ever question his X and O coaching, ever. Granted, he still sometimes loses games he should win, like the Iowa game, but when your coach can pull off what he did today, wow. Great.

Eighth, Illinois was just the better team today. It wasn't that our defense was overrated: It was that your offense was that good. Let me put it that way. We are still a great team. You guys just played a great game. I am entirely respectful of the performance of the Illini team today.

Ninth, I am glad that an in-conference opponent took us down instead of a team like Oregon in the BCS Championship Game. We obviously have a few issues with mobile quarterbacks, and I'm glad you could show our young team that we have some weaknesses. We will now analyze that film and be ready for the next time we play a mobile QB (Amazing that we had issues, especially since we limited Vince Young so well at home in 2005. If we had played Troy Smith the entire game and/or Ryan Hamby would have held on to a ball in the end zone, Texas would not have even won that 2005 National Championship).

Anyway, yeah, I was told to come back, so I did. You guys have a great community here, and you are all rather enthusiastic. I hope you guys realize that most people are upset with our teams performance, and not your teams performance. Most people said your team did exactly what it was supposed to do. We are all only upset about your dancing on our logo, a la when you placed a flag on the Michigan State logo. We have a lot of pride, and we do not take kindly to that.

But, from a pure football performance standpoint, wow. Very impressed. I apologize to the Illini in advance on their bowl placement, as they are unfortunately going to end up at the Outback Bowl, as Ohio State IS going to beat Michigan next week (Ohio State 7-1 conference, Michigan 6-2, Illinois 6-2, but Michigan has the tiebreaker. Aside from that, the bowl committees would pick a 6-2 Michigan team over a 6-2 Illinois team anyway, because Michigan has more national recognition. Whatever...).

But, the way I see it is that it could end up being Florida vs. Illinois, which would be a special game. I have always been a Ron Zook fan, as you guys could tell. He deserves to show the guys in Gainesville that they are wrong. Not that the Gators aren't ecstatic with Urban Meyer. But, a Zooker team is a good team too.

I look forward to next years Illinois game. I may try to get tickets to that one as well. It always ends up a good game between our two squads.

[Clete1]

Originally Posted by daveeb

I came forward on these boards and said that as well. And I'm an Ohio State fan.

The only thing I have to complain about is the whole jumping on top of the Block O at midfield, starting an altercation after the game. Illinois didn't need to do that, because they played a great game. Just walk away, and don't tryo to disrespect Ohio State. But, let us forget about it. Don't want to start an argument.

daveeb - Balanced post after a tough loss. Only point where I disagree is that I don't think we really know what happened at midfield. You couldn't see anyting on TV.

Running onto the field after a victory is to be expected, no matter where you are. But if this was a punk move, like planting the flag at MSU last year, then I agree with your comments. There's no place for that.

Whatever happened it's too bad it marred what was really a very good football game, regardless of who you were rooting for.

Good luck against Michigan next week.

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by Clete1

daveeb - Balanced post after a tough loss. Only point where I disagree is that I don't think we really know what happened at midfield. You couldn't see anyting on TV.

Running onto the field after a victory is to be expected, no matter where you are. But if this was a punk move, like planting the flag at MSU last year, then I agree with your comments. There's no place for that.

Whatever happened it's too bad it marred what was really a very good football game, regardless of who you were rooting for.

Good luck against Michigan next week.

I was at the game, so I had a pretty good view. It was upsetting. I'm sure we will all forget about it, because after 20 minutes of my departure from the stadium, I heard the phrase "F*ck Michigan" from a fan, and I realized what really mattered: The Game.

Ohio State fans will get over it. It will come up once next year, before the Illinois - Ohio State game. Then, everyone will forget about it. It is what happened when the Patriots danced on the Chargers emblem, and when Terrell Owens spat on the Cowboys star (How ironic).

As I will state for a long time, though, your fans didn't taunt us or anything after the game. So, I have a ton of respect for the Illini Nation.

And, in terms of the rivalry between the athletic departments, yes. This is just payback for what happened with Matt Sylvester. So, I guess we are even in that regard.

[Clete1]

daveeb - Disappointed to hear that. I want us to win with class.

I was at the OT game in 2002 where we lost a tough one and you went on to the NC and I thought the OSU fans were pretty gracious. Different opinion at the BTT in the UC last year.

Regardless of any post-game crap, it was a great game. Here's hoping you guys get UM and pound whomever in the Rose Bowl. . . .

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by Clete1

daveeb - Disappointed to hear that. I want us to win with class.

I was at the OT game in 2002 where we lost a tough one and you went on to the NC and I thought the OSU fans were pretty gracious. Different opinion at the BTT in the UC last year.

Regardless of any post-game crap, it was a great game. Here's hoping you guys get UM and pound whomever in the Rose Bowl. . . .

Thanks a bunch for the good luck. Although I wanted the Buckeyes to play an SEC team, as I am sick and tired of hearing about how we can't beat the SEC (For the record, Ohio State all-time against LSU is 1-0-1. And, Jim Tressel destroyed Les Miles 33-7 in their only meeting).

But, Illinois beating the SEC would be great too, as you project to make a January 1st bowl game at this point.

As an item of note, standings in the Big Ten don't make as big of a deal when it comes to choosing which team makes the big games. Illinois is gonna end up 9-3, Wisconsin is going to end up 9-3, Michigan will end up 8-4 after Ohio State beats them next Saturday. Capital One Bowl will want Wisconsin after the great showing of Wisconsin fans last year, and Illinois is clearly a better team than Michigan overall (And, to be honest, Florida vs. Illinois would just attract a lot of viewers).

When it comes to who makes what bowl, it all comes down to money. Illinois making its first bowl game with its head coach facing his former team? Yeah, THAT is a story that will attract viewers and people to the stadium.

Aside from that, Illinois really deserves to make a January 1st bowl game.

[fightingillini fan 4-ever]

daveeb, it is just much to do over nothing. Who knows what really happened and I dont think it matters anyway. Both teams had elevated emotions. We just beat the #1 team in the nation, on their field, their senior day, and they were undefeated so we deserved to celebrate. The Buckeyes were stunned at the defeat and mad. Our celebration was about our winning, our struggles and the tough road to get there and what is in store for our wonderful team in the future, not about OSU loosing. Your Buckeyes took it personal as would anyone with a competitive spirit.

The so called dancing on the O is nonsense. It is an attempt from the Buckeyes to save face and to get the bitter taste of defeat out of their mouths, it wont work. It was a stinging defeat by a team that underestimated us. The slightest thing done,perceived or made up would have been cause for the Buckeyes to retaliate, it was the only thing they could do after the loss.

I give OSU credit for being a tough team, very tough but their antics after the game and that nasty interview left a bad taste in my mouth as well. They need to quit the crying, suck it up and go on. Their ego took a hit and when you think you are the best and their is no room for improvement someone will always show you the error of your ways(case in point). Maybve OSU should look at ND and see what erogance will get you. The difference is we have always been looking up and not looking down on any team for we knew we had to improve and this team has worked constantly on doing just that. Coach Zook deserves so much credit for doing a great job and totally rebuilding our football program.

Now, GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[daveeb]

Yeah, disgracing a logo is still a bad thing to do. Here, let me show you some examples:

It got Terrell Owens suspended.

It embarrasses coaching staffs.

It can sometimes happen before the game even starts.

It draws excessive celebration penalties.

It can be done in the pros at the playoff level. Even by the best of teams.

Go down the Buckeyes track record of losses. The have only gone insane from taunting by opposing teams.

Florida didn't taunt us in the 2007 BCS Championship Game loss. We didn't freak out.

Penn State didn't taunt us in 2005. We didn't freak out.

Texas didn't taunt us in 2005. We didn't freak out.

Doesn't matter in the long run. Not worth arguing. You are just defending your team as anyone would. I can't fault you for being a true fan. Really admirable how you all stood by the Illini over multiple seasons of losing.

You are right that the Illini did suffer a ton during this season. You are right that we were kinda arrogant in the fact that we thought that we still haven't found a true answer to the spread (3-3-5 clearly doesn't work. Or, it could if our DBs were to play zone and would just let the linebackers take care of run defense...). But, the ND comparison? Ouch. No, we aren't like Notre Dame. Notre Dame starts over every 3 years with a new head coach, while they talk about how awesome we have been for the last 30 years, despite the lack of Top 25 wins and bowl wins? No, we aren't ND in the slightest.

[GeorgiaIllini]

Originally Posted by WOLFE

They are also throwing around the "Classless", one guy even said our team is full of acedemic rejects..... now comeon. if you can win that many games in a row and get your ass stomped by florida you have to able to lose graciously... we have been doing it for 4 years

Ignore the one classless reject. Their posters here have been a lot classier - at least the ones Ive read.

Buckeyes, see in in hoops seasons.

[dfifo]

I'd have to see video of this stuff. For all we know, the players coulda been shaking hands and 1 guy jumps up and down.. gets shoved by another guy. Next thing ya know it starts to escalate. All I saw on TV was some pushing and shoving.

I'm sure Zook will have words for them about celebrating. You can see him telling his assistants to head over there and round up the players. He didn't look happy.

I suppose we'll get to revisit this all again at the outcome of next year's game.

[mdeming]

Is there any video of this "stomping?" Is it possible they were "jumping up and down" in celebration at mid-field, congratulating each other? Would the identical behavior have been appropriate ten years down field?

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by mdeming

Is there any video of this "stomping?" Is it possible they were "jumping up and down" in celebration at mid-field, congratulating each other? Would the identical behavior have been appropriate ten years down field?

I haven't been able to find a video yet. I wasn't able to take a video with my camera, as tOSU had already taken the field. And yes, 10 yards down the field, it would be appropriate.