9/4 News & Notes - Scheelhaase did not practice today

[Dan]

Some Of The Things We Know

On both sides of the ball, player rotations were the biggest surprise. Defense because of all the young players used in key spots (more on that in a moment); offense because of the limited rotations. The participation chart says that true freshman receiver Justin Hardee played, but I can't recall that being on offense (special teams only, maybe?). The way I remember it, we played the same five offensive linemen the entire game. We played two tailbacks (no Ayoola), three wide receivers (Millines, Harris, Lankford, maybe Hardee), and three tight ends (Davis, Wilson, Viliunas).

http://alioneye.com/2012/09/03/some-...hings-we-know/

Illini's Ashante Williams goes from outcast to standout

Beckman said he wasn't surprised by Williams' play in the opener, because the native of Mayfield, Ohio, had been a leader for the last eight months.

Said Williams: "Coach Beckman pulled me aside and said, 'I understand everything you went through. I know you’re a good person and a great player. I put a lot of faith in you. I want you to help lead this team.

"I realized that the head guy was on my bandwagon. I could go out there and play like I know I could play."

Supinie

Photo Gallery: Illinois 24, Western Michigan 7


Ashante Williams' 60-yard interception return for TD in the fourth quarter sealed the Illini victory.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...0354058&type=1

The Big Ten has become a conference with two defined football "divisions" based on attendance: Along with Iowa, purring along with 70,000 sellouts, six others are drawing at least 80,000 and mostly more. These are the ones vying for Top 25 positions. And then there's the quintet attracting fewer than 50,000 on most Saturdays ... Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern.

The long-term record shows a clear connection between winning and attendance. For Illinois, the telltale game was last Oct. 15 against Ohio State, when the Illini were 6-0 and ranked No. 16, and drew barely 55,000 even with Buckeye fans contributing.

Tate

ASU football's Todd Graham pushes for faster tempo

"Our tempo was really, really, really slow," Graham said. "We're waiting on the defense. It's like we were being courteous to them, to let them line up. We need to go."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/arti...ter-tempo.html

[Dan]

Thanks again for all the support last week in Memorial Stadium. Look forward too seeing the Orange and Blue down at Sun Devil Stadium!

The WMU players of the game went to Off-J. Davis DEF-A Williams Spec Tm-Zak Petersen. Demo-J Nudera/B Sullivan/V Williams/BJ Bello!

Victory Meal last night In recruiting lounge was awesome! Steaks and Cakes were delicious! We win we eat right! Go Illini!

Big contest against Arizona State this weekend. Look forward to preparation this morning for PAC 12 opponent. Go Illini!

Will have our 1st Youth camp this Thursday at 5:30 here at Memorial. Linebackers along with LB coach Mike Ward will run camp. See u here!

http://twitter.com/coachbeckman

[IlliniGuy]

After reading about the number of players rotating on O vs. D I got to thinking. I wonder how much of that was the fact that we have established vets on D and need to develop depth behind them and don't have a lot of experience on O and wanted to get them plenty of reps. It will be interesting to see in closer games how much depth we use on each side.

[Dan]

Scheelhaase looks like longshot for #illini vs ASU. Wore purple jersey Tuesday, meaning out of practice. Rehabbing, not repping.

http://twitter.com/JohnSupinie

[AHSIllini32]

So he practiced Sunday but not Tuesday? Methinks they are just keeping him off his ankle to make sure nothing further happens between now and Saturday and as a way to get the other guys reps in case he can't go.

[Sure Shot]

Uh oh.

Whoever nabbed Arizona State -3 is feeling pretty awesome right now. I'd grab them +1 if that line is still available.

[IlliniRunIn07]

I'm hoping that he was out today as a precaution or maybe just to get ASU defense to prepare a little more for MO or ROT.

[mattcoldagelli]

Wednesday is kind of the key practice, isn't it?

[CaptainHindsight]

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

Wednesday is kind of the key practice, isn't it?

That's what they say in the NFL. We shall see what tomorrow's practice brings.

[AHSIllini32]

Even still it wouldn't surprise me to see Nate held out all week just for precautionary reasons. With what we seem to know about Beckman and keeping things secretive it wouldn't surprise me if this was just another way of keeping the other team in the dark.

[The Great One]

Why were we using an Adidas football?

[DrewD007]

Originally Posted by The Great One

Why were we using an Adidas football?

It was the pick 6. I'm guessing Western Michigan is an Adidas school, so when they're on offense they use Adidas footballs.

[The Great One]

I guess I have never paid that much attention to that in football games. Seems kind of odd. Kind of like switching basketballs when one team goes on offense. You would think the home team would supply the ball?

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

Even still it wouldn't surprise me to see Nate held out all week just for precautionary reasons. With what we seem to know about Beckman and keeping things secretive it wouldn't surprise me if this was just another way of keeping the other team in the dark.

If he's "held out all week" then he won't be playing Saturday.

[mattcoldagelli]

Originally Posted by CaptainHindsight

That's what they say in the NFL. We shall see what tomorrow's practice brings.

I vaguely remember something about Beckman also saying this, but I could be wrong.

[ryls]

Oh boy, I hope he plays, I was excited about O'Toole but he really struggled last week and he seems to have a slow delivery, I hope he can play well this week if needed

[AHSIllini32]

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

If he's "held out all week" then he won't be playing Saturday.

Well he already practiced Sunday so technically he won't be held out all week

[BZuppke]

Beckman said Wednesday is key. If he practices Wednesday and beyond, he'll play. If he doesn't practice Wednesday, he won't play. I'd rather see Osei start instead of O'Toole.

[ChitownIllini]

If Nate doesn't play, it'll be interesting to see what Reilly does after a week of getting extra reps.

[chief4life]

Originally Posted by The Great One

I guess I have never paid that much attention to that in football games. Seems kind of odd. Kind of like switching basketballs when one team goes on offense. You would think the home team would supply the ball?

Not all footballs are the same size. Some may be longer, while others wider. The same goes for high school. Once they get to the NFL, they all use the same ball. It's a matter of preference until then.

Long live the Chief.

[Sure Shot]

Originally Posted by BZuppke

Beckman said Wednesday is key. If he practices Wednesday and beyond, he'll play. If he doesn't practice Wednesday, he won't play. I'd rather see Osei start instead of O'Toole.

I wonder what Aaron Bailey is up to Saturday night...

[OrchardDowns]

Originally Posted by BZuppke

Beckman said Wednesday is key. If he practices Wednesday and beyond, he'll play. If he doesn't practice Wednesday, he won't play. I'd rather see Osei start instead of O'Toole.

I agree. What has happened to O'Toole? He seems to have regressed starting last year and now into this year. Hope he can turn things around, especially if NS is out for any length of time!!

[Dan]

co-OC Beatty: team is preparing as if Scheelhaase can't play Saturday but can insert NS if ready. Osei + O'Toole split reps today

http://twitter.com/WernerConnectFM

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by OrchardDowns

I agree. What has happened to O'Toole? He seems to have regressed starting last year and now into this year. Hope he can turn things around, especially if NS is out for any length of time!!

O'Toole isn't a perfect fit for this offense. You don't want O'Toole running the read-option or making something out of nothing when the OL doesn't block anyone. As Beckman said, they need to run some different plays when he is in the game to take advantage of his abilities. The question is, how much can they change the play calling for the backup QB? For that reason, if Nate doesn't play I expect Osei to get a lot of snaps.

[Dan]

Illinois' Tim Beckman is leaning on his MAC experience with playing night games and West Coast games as Illinois prepares for ASU game.

Beckman has Twitter policy where players must sign form that allows coaches to take away Twitter accounts if they post inappropriate things

http://twitter.com/ESPN_BigTen

Beckman on DB Williams - did not surprise me, could see it during preseason work, he prepared to play the game he played.

http://twitter.com/B1Gfootball