Desperate times
October 14, 2008 9:16 AM
Juice: Illini, Hoosiers are 'desperate' teams
''We're two teams that desperately need a win to finish the season strong,'' Williams said. ''Whoever wins this game is going to gain the momentum for the rest of the season. I'm not saying a loss in this game would mean it's completely over for the season, but it definitely would help us to start winning games now. Better sooner than later.''
Even a victory Saturday likely won't jump-start the tailspinning Hoosiers. But for the Illini, whose loss to the Golden Gophers cut their margin of error to reach their goal of a winning season, this is pretty much a must-win game.
''It's a long, tough season,'' said wide receiver Arrelious Benn, who has risen to second in the Big Ten in catches (6.2) and receiving yards (93.8) per game. ''We just have to keep going. We have to put the [Minnesota] loss behind us, prepare for Indiana and keep going.
suntimes.com
''We're two teams that desperately need a win to finish the season strong,'' Williams said. ''Whoever wins this game is going to gain the momentum for the rest of the season. I'm not saying a loss in this game would mean it's completely over for the season, but it definitely would help us to start winning games now. Better sooner than later.''
Even a victory Saturday likely won't jump-start the tailspinning Hoosiers. But for the Illini, whose loss to the Golden Gophers cut their margin of error to reach their goal of a winning season, this is pretty much a must-win game.
''It's a long, tough season,'' said wide receiver Arrelious Benn, who has risen to second in the Big Ten in catches (6.2) and receiving yards (93.8) per game. ''We just have to keep going. We have to put the [Minnesota] loss behind us, prepare for Indiana and keep going.
suntimes.com
Tate: Home is where the heartache is
It's hard to "believe" when Illinois has produced so few home wins in recent years. Prior to last season, when Penn State and Wisconsin caught the brunt of an Illini revival, the 10-year record shows Illinois with 11 wins in 40 home Big Ten games ... of which four came against Indiana and none against Ohio State and Michigan.
For all of the Illini's good fortune against Ohio State, the home forces are 0-6 in Champaign since 1991 while enjoying remarkable success in Columbus. Imagine, Illinois has won seven of the last 10 meetings at Ohio Stadium, and could square the series at 12-12 since 1983 by upending the Buckeyes Nov. 15.
illinihq.com
It's hard to "believe" when Illinois has produced so few home wins in recent years. Prior to last season, when Penn State and Wisconsin caught the brunt of an Illini revival, the 10-year record shows Illinois with 11 wins in 40 home Big Ten games ... of which four came against Indiana and none against Ohio State and Michigan.
For all of the Illini's good fortune against Ohio State, the home forces are 0-6 in Champaign since 1991 while enjoying remarkable success in Columbus. Imagine, Illinois has won seven of the last 10 meetings at Ohio Stadium, and could square the series at 12-12 since 1983 by upending the Buckeyes Nov. 15.
illinihq.com
Illinois-Indiana Pregame Thread (Forums) Filed under: Illini Football, Indiana Hoosiers
