9/30 News & Notes

Dan · Sep 30, 2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

But Can They Coach?

I guess not.

It's totally unfair to say that after five games, but is it? Could we have looked more disorganized? A muffed punt and a running-into-the-kicker, all in the first five minutes? The Penn State coaches had to feel like dinner guests with a pushy host. "Here, you take the first points. No really, take the first points. TAKE THEM."

http://alioneye.com/2012/09/30/but-can-they-coach-2/

Quote:

Illini 2-minute drill

"Whatever fans come out and support us, we'll be happy to have them. If they want to quit and be quitters, we're not going to quit," Illinois offensive lineman Graham Pocic said of fan support.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,4956195.story

Quote:

UFR: Bring on the Hoosiers!

The homecoming affair against Indiana won't be the gimme some observers expect. The Hoosiers (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) played with undefeated Northwestern on Saturday and trailed by only a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The calendar agrees with your eyes -- the Illini are in trouble. Since 2000, Illinois (2-3) has closed the month of September with a sub-.500 record in four seasons. Illinois finished 5-7 (in 2002), 1-11 (2003), 2-10 (2006) and 3-9 (2009). Perhaps it's time to break a streak. Those four teams went 0-4 in their first games in October.

Klee

Quote:

How low can they go?

Scheelhaase, who played just three of the season's first 12 quarters, appears back in form. He absorbed one fearsome high-low tackle that sent him gasping to the sideline, but he returned after one play. He ran with former abandon when he could find room.

As happened last week, his early passes were weak and underneath the coverage. But he began to open up as the game progressed, and Illinois twice appeared poised to cut into a 14-0 deficit only to come up short. After it reached 21-0, Scheelhaase pushed Illinois to the 4-yard line where his fourth-down pass was intercepted (and nearly returned for a touchdown).

Tate

Droidillini · Sep 30, 2012, 08:20 AM

Tate thinks Scheelhasse is back in form? What the heck is he smoking? Scheelhasse was not good. Two picks, no td's....a big momentum play for me was beginning of 2nd half after we had just scored and stopped PSU and Scheelhasse bounces a pass 3 yards in the front of the receiver on 1st down. After that that i think we loes yards and punt on third down...game over from there. Scheelhasse is a great kid, but not a good qb, doesn't have a strong arm and always stares down his receivers.

Illinipopo · Sep 30, 2012, 08:23 AM

Coulda fooled me. Players looked like they quit, fans are just fed up. Easier to watch at home.

DanvIllini · Sep 30, 2012, 08:31 AM

Ill continue to go to games but Pocic's quote is like... we suck so deal with it. IDK, just rubbed me the wrong way. Could have been a leading question from a reporter, but still.

IlliniWood · Sep 30, 2012, 08:59 AM

Yesterday was the first time we didn't actually go into the game from the Lot 31. We had intended to. We had everything packed up, but we were moving pretty slowly as we were finishing up some morning beverages. When I saw the muffed punt (party next to us had the game on TV), and subsequent PSU TD, I grabbed another beverage. When it went to 14-0, I made the decision that if this becomes a game, I'll go inside. That never happened.

I feel a little bad that we didn't go in, but at the same time, I had more fun hanging out with friends in the parking lot and pretending that the debacle inside the stadium wasn't going on. I feel sad that in one afternoon, I became completely apathetic to Illini Football. I am one of the few folks that prefers Illini football to Illini basketball. I hold season tickets for both, but I'd be fine with mediocre basketball IF the football program was something I could count on for 8+ wins a year. I don't expect continual Rose Bowls or dyansties, but I do expect a competitive football team that is consistently in the upper half of the leage with realistic expectations of beating those top teams year in and year out.

Now I'm a fan who feels duped by the purchase of season tickets. Why should I buy them? There is no value in being a season ticket holder (with exception of my parking spot, in which I may be spending a lot more of my time). I paid roughly $45/ticket/game plus the extra $40 for the chair backs on each of my two seats, and I'm wondering why I bothered doing such a thing. Almost any game I could get free tickets (from other folks who realized that it's not worth going inside) or at least get extremely discounted tickets and then take my pick of prime seats once inside MS.

I love the team, and I knew Zook had to go, and I want to believe in Beckman, but as many others have stated: If this is what we're looking at this year, what is the bright spot in the years to come?

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to vent.

uinuke81 · Sep 30, 2012, 09:01 AM

When Pocic decides to block somebody, I'll take his criticism of the fans to heart.

Lwchicago · Sep 30, 2012, 09:21 AM

This years team looks almost like the last 3 to 4 years, but worse..I can't remember getting beat down like this...sure they lost games but didn't look that bad at home...the Defensive linemen look like LBs small at least 2 of them would be better at LB for there speed..put 4 big linemen on the line...teams are getting 3 to 4 yards before they are touched

kbo007 · Sep 30, 2012, 10:31 AM

It's unbearable to watch football being played this poorly. Lost and totally unprepared. We may see the worst attendance in the history of ILL football. When does basketball start. Ugh

Oskee Mayer · Sep 30, 2012, 10:39 AM

Pocic's quote would be arrogant even after a win. After a blowout when the PSU D-line owned our's, it's just stupid.

Groundhogday · Sep 30, 2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droidillini

Tate thinks Scheelhasse is back in form? What the heck is he smoking? Scheelhasse was not good.

Tate was saying that he was physically back, able to run, and after getting warmed up started to throw the ball more like the Nate of old (not there, but starting to get back to form).

Unfortunately, he is going to be running for his life this season and throwing to substandard WR. No QB is going to look good in that context.

mattcoldagelli · Sep 30, 2012, 11:03 AM

Pretty tough comments from Pocic. This team is playing so poorly and undisciplined it's a significant ask to watch them on TV, let alone drive three hours on a Saturday. I guess that makes me a quitter?

Sybok · Sep 30, 2012, 11:10 AM

Yeah. It reminds me of this......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pX1VNbeD3g

Groundhogday · Sep 30, 2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinipopo

Coulda fooled me. Players looked like they quit, fans are just fed up. Easier to watch at home.

Of course, we can't get into their heads to know for sure, but it certainly looked that way on TV.

SCillini · Sep 30, 2012, 11:21 AM

Any word on the injury front? Buchanon, Brown, Hull, PNY- all banged up yesterday. Not that it matters any more for our D. We're getting destroyed with these guys anyway. The nightmare of this season is going to be excruciatingly, long. What a terrible underestimation of VK by Beckman.

SCillini · Sep 30, 2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Of course, we can't get into their heads to know for sure, but it certainly looked that way on TV.

They've looked this way in the second half of every loss this year. A very poor reflection of the motivational, and leadership skills of this staff.

Groundhogday · Sep 30, 2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCillini

Any word on the injury front? Buchanon, Brown, Hull, PNY- all banged up yesterday. Not that it matters any more for our D. We're getting destroyed with these guys anyway. The nightmare of this season is going to be excruciatingly, long. What a terrible underestimation of VK by Beckman.

Per ALE, PNY might be out for the season. But of course this coaching staff doesn't talk about injuries.

jackman404 · Sep 30, 2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uinuke81

When Pocic decides to block somebody, I'll take his criticism of the fans to heart.

Agreed. These players should feel lucky if 10,000 fans come to the next game after this performance.

SCillini · Sep 30, 2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Per ALE, PNY might be out for the season. But of course this coaching staff doesn't talk about injuries.

They wouldn't want to give the opponent any sort of advantage. Instead of losing by an average of 44-15. We might lose 51-15 with available injury reports and updates.

AutoPoster 3000 · Sep 30, 2012, 11:39 AM

Pocic's statement ... hmm ... subtext. I'm sure he is trying to defend himself and his teammates but I've never heard a player who thought his program was headed in the right direction describe the fans as quitters. And people generally don't say they're not going to give up when they feel good about their prospects.

Thacher_H_Guild · Sep 30, 2012, 12:09 PM

My favorite part of all the stories from this morning was the Alioneye report on the new Verizon experience with the Razr phone. My contract with the same company he won't name is up in a few weeks, and I've had the same problems he reports. Glad to hear an unbiased report of another option...I am looking forward to being able to actually use my smartphone at Illinois sporting events in the future. It might be the only way to make it through some of the upcoming football games.

2old2remember · Sep 30, 2012, 12:13 PM

Losing is one thing. Undisciplined play is another. This team shows all signs of being very poorly coached.

Groundhogday · Sep 30, 2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2old2remember

Losing is one thing. Undisciplined play is another. This team shows all signs of being very poorly coached.

Discipline and organization are supposed to be Beckman's strengths as a head coach. That, and competitiveness.

Yet we have seen problems signalling in formations and plays, a rash of penalties and turnovers, special teams mistakes, and a team that gives up when the chips are down.

ill07 · Sep 30, 2012, 02:10 PM

Beckman should make Pocic wear a purple jersey in-game for that one. Focus on playing football that would pass muster even in high school, the the team can whine about the fans. Put up or shut up.

timmytao · Sep 30, 2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oskee Mayer

Pocic's quote would be arrogant even after a win. After a blowout when the PSU D-line owned our's, it's just stupid.

+1

ritster · Sep 30, 2012, 04:08 PM

Since starting 6-0 last year, they are 3-9 the last 12 games. I see no improvement under Beckman at all, but let's not have sweet longings for Zook either. I have to admit though, this is as bad as I have ever seen Illinois look, and I have seen some real stinkers since 1982.

Sep 30, 2012, 10:31 AM	#8
kbo007 Location: Illinois Posts: 302	It's unbearable to watch football being played this poorly. Lost and totally unprepared. We may see the worst attendance in the history of ILL football. When does basketball start. Ugh __________________ "Not only is there more to life than basketball, there's a lot more to basketball than basketball." - Phil Jackson

Sep 30, 2012, 11:03 AM	#11
mattcoldagelli Location: Evanston, IL Posts: 1,453	Pretty tough comments from Pocic. This team is playing so poorly and undisciplined it's a significant ask to watch them on TV, let alone drive three hours on a Saturday. I guess that makes me a quitter? __________________ Twitter Blog #JoeTales

Sep 30, 2012, 11:10 AM	#12
Sybok Posts: 885	Yeah. It reminds me of this...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pX1VNbeD3g Last edited by Dan; Sep 30, 2012 at 11:44 AM.

Sep 30, 2012, 02:10 PM	#23
ill07 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,993	Beckman should make Pocic wear a purple jersey in-game for that one. Focus on playing football that would pass muster even in high school, the the team can whine about the fans. Put up or shut up. __________________ And unto thee we pledge our heart and hand, Dear Alma Mater

Sep 30, 2012, 08:20 AM	#2
Droidillini Posts: 35	Tate thinks Scheelhasse is back in form? What the heck is he smoking? Scheelhasse was not good. Two picks, no td's....a big momentum play for me was beginning of 2nd half after we had just scored and stopped PSU and Scheelhasse bounces a pass 3 yards in the front of the receiver on 1st down. After that that i think we loes yards and punt on third down...game over from there. Scheelhasse is a great kid, but not a good qb, doesn't have a strong arm and always stares down his receivers.

Sep 30, 2012, 08:23 AM	#3
Illinipopo Posts: 155	Coulda fooled me. Players looked like they quit, fans are just fed up. Easier to watch at home.

Sep 30, 2012, 08:31 AM	#4
DanvIllini Super Lurker Location: Danville, IL Posts: 326	Ill continue to go to games but Pocic's quote is like... we suck so deal with it. IDK, just rubbed me the wrong way. Could have been a leading question from a reporter, but still.

Sep 30, 2012, 08:59 AM	#5
IlliniWood Posts: 167	Yesterday was the first time we didn't actually go into the game from the Lot 31. We had intended to. We had everything packed up, but we were moving pretty slowly as we were finishing up some morning beverages. When I saw the muffed punt (party next to us had the game on TV), and subsequent PSU TD, I grabbed another beverage. When it went to 14-0, I made the decision that if this becomes a game, I'll go inside. That never happened. I feel a little bad that we didn't go in, but at the same time, I had more fun hanging out with friends in the parking lot and pretending that the debacle inside the stadium wasn't going on. I feel sad that in one afternoon, I became completely apathetic to Illini Football. I am one of the few folks that prefers Illini football to Illini basketball. I hold season tickets for both, but I'd be fine with mediocre basketball IF the football program was something I could count on for 8+ wins a year. I don't expect continual Rose Bowls or dyansties, but I do expect a competitive football team that is consistently in the upper half of the leage with realistic expectations of beating those top teams year in and year out. Now I'm a fan who feels duped by the purchase of season tickets. Why should I buy them? There is no value in being a season ticket holder (with exception of my parking spot, in which I may be spending a lot more of my time). I paid roughly $45/ticket/game plus the extra $40 for the chair backs on each of my two seats, and I'm wondering why I bothered doing such a thing. Almost any game I could get free tickets (from other folks who realized that it's not worth going inside) or at least get extremely discounted tickets and then take my pick of prime seats once inside MS. I love the team, and I knew Zook had to go, and I want to believe in Beckman, but as many others have stated: If this is what we're looking at this year, what is the bright spot in the years to come? Sorry for the long post, just wanted to vent.

Sep 30, 2012, 09:01 AM	#6
uinuke81 Chief Forever Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 329	When Pocic decides to block somebody, I'll take his criticism of the fans to heart.

Sep 30, 2012, 09:21 AM	#7
Lwchicago Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina Posts: 42	This years team looks almost like the last 3 to 4 years, but worse..I can't remember getting beat down like this...sure they lost games but didn't look that bad at home...the Defensive linemen look like LBs small at least 2 of them would be better at LB for there speed..put 4 big linemen on the line...teams are getting 3 to 4 yards before they are touched

Sep 30, 2012, 10:39 AM	#9
Oskee Mayer Posts: 187	Pocic's quote would be arrogant even after a win. After a blowout when the PSU D-line owned our's, it's just stupid.

Sep 30, 2012, 11:21 AM	#14
SCillini Posts: 353	Any word on the injury front? Buchanon, Brown, Hull, PNY- all banged up yesterday. Not that it matters any more for our D. We're getting destroyed with these guys anyway. The nightmare of this season is going to be excruciatingly, long. What a terrible underestimation of VK by Beckman.

Sep 30, 2012, 11:39 AM	#19
AutoPoster 3000 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 31	Pocic's statement ... hmm ... subtext. I'm sure he is trying to defend himself and his teammates but I've never heard a player who thought his program was headed in the right direction describe the fans as quitters. And people generally don't say they're not going to give up when they feel good about their prospects.

Sep 30, 2012, 12:09 PM	#20
Thacher_H_Guild Location: Champaign Posts: 2,270	My favorite part of all the stories from this morning was the Alioneye report on the new Verizon experience with the Razr phone. My contract with the same company he won't name is up in a few weeks, and I've had the same problems he reports. Glad to hear an unbiased report of another option...I am looking forward to being able to actually use my smartphone at Illinois sporting events in the future. It might be the only way to make it through some of the upcoming football games.

Sep 30, 2012, 12:13 PM	#21
2old2remember Posts: 37	Losing is one thing. Undisciplined play is another. This team shows all signs of being very poorly coached.

Sep 30, 2012, 04:08 PM	#25
ritster Posts: 20	Since starting 6-0 last year, they are 3-9 the last 12 games. I see no improvement under Beckman at all, but let's not have sweet longings for Zook either. I have to admit though, this is as bad as I have ever seen Illinois look, and I have seen some real stinkers since 1982.