Pregame: Illinois at Nebraska, Saturday, October 1st, 2:30pm CT, ESPN2
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Glad to hear Lovie and crew are feeling like they're making gains. This team needs talent ASAP. No doubt the coaching is there, we just need some guys to believe and sign on. Where do people think we fall with this years class in the B1G? Specifically within the B1G West.
I'm with you. I think Lunt's been put on notice. He's wearing a leash. Not sure how long it is though.
A surprising amount, IMO.
+1 Very surprised that a coach under Lovie would be that open with the media. McGee knows what he wants in a quarterback. We all know Lunt's lack of athleticism doesn't fit the desired scheme but McGee just questioned Lunt's leadership and toughness. If this doesn't light a fire under Lunt then nothing will and it will be time to see what they have in Crouch and George.
Dan
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OC Garrick McGee discusses what he wants to see out of quarterback Wes Lunt and breaks down Nebraska
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1710916-mcgee-want-to-see-lunt-lay-it-on-the-line
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1710916-mcgee-want-to-see-lunt-lay-it-on-the-line
That's what made me sit up straighter, too. He just went and threw down the gauntlet right in front of national media.
Lunt's gotta be sweating, unless he's made of really stern stuff (or is clueless, lol).
illynifan34
That's a winner!!
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Its a warranted question. He seems afraid out there either of making a mistake or getting injured again.
Thats it. We beat Nebraska last year because we had zero turnovers. The team that makes mistakes is the team that loses.
Lovie has harped on those themes too.
They want to spur a reaction from Lunt, clearly.
Even so, Lovie almost never makes his point through the media like that. It might have been Mcgee but it doesn't fit in to lovie's overall philosophy.
I've been laying off the Lunt bashing just because it seems to come from everywhere these days, but the man does need serious improvements and quickly. The guy who was too good for IL out of high school is leaving a lot to be desired...
I've been laying off the Lunt bashing just because it seems to come from everywhere these days, but the man does need serious improvements and quickly. The guy who was too good for IL out of high school is leaving a lot to be desired...
I too have laid off the Lunt bashing. He certainly needs to show some improvement. He needs to show a bit more passion on the field. He may view himself as cool, calm, and collected. To me, that comes across as disinterested.
Quick Update for you guys:
Starting OL: Tanner Farmer will be out (He was a 4 star from Illinois actually)
Starting WR: Alonzo Moore, leading receiver of the team is doubtful
Starting DT: Mick Stoltenberg is doubtful but I think he is going to play.
Nebraska's ends produce almost no pass rush where you guys have some really good DE's.
Lunt very well may have a lot of time to pass unless NU comes with a lot of blitzes which they have had to do this year so far.
The line is -21 and doesn't seem to really have moved much. I could see this being closer than that.
Starting OL: Tanner Farmer will be out (He was a 4 star from Illinois actually)
Starting WR: Alonzo Moore, leading receiver of the team is doubtful
Starting DT: Mick Stoltenberg is doubtful but I think he is going to play.
Nebraska's ends produce almost no pass rush where you guys have some really good DE's.
Lunt very well may have a lot of time to pass unless NU comes with a lot of blitzes which they have had to do this year so far.
The line is -21 and doesn't seem to really have moved much. I could see this being closer than that.
Cannot wait until we don't have our instate guys raided by our competition. IL may not produce a ton of FB talent, but the talent we do produce usually grows elsewhere. Makes no sense given Chicagoland's loyalty to the Bears...pro sports towns :tsk:
Cannot wait until we don't have our instate guys raided by our competition. IL may not produce a ton of FB talent, but the talent we do produce usually grows elsewhere. Makes no sense given Chicagoland's loyalty to the Bears...pro sports towns :tsk:
The Huskers also got Jordan Westerkamp (Starting WR from Montini high in Lombard) and Mikale Wibon (From Chicago)
Honestly, with the way Riley has been as a coach it will not shock me if the Illini pull an upset.
It will take some time to turn this big boat around.
Lunt reminds me of a very poor man's Jay Cutler (poor because he has almost zero toughness to him.) Lunt can throw the ball pretty well, but he has almost zero qb awareness in the pocket, can't scramble at all, and has almost zero leadership on the field. I'm sold on the fact that you can have all the tools in the world, but if you aren't a leader, you won't have a whole lot of success as a QB. O'toole is a perfect example of how leadership can make a world of a difference in a QB with only minimal ability (though he was a decent scrambling QB).
I see a poor man's Sam Bradford: Lanky, immobile, but throws a pretty ball most of the time. I say "poor" b/c Bradford actually will step up in the pocket and try to deliver passes from time to time, whereas Wes either crumples to the turf on his own or backpedals away before the pass rush has even gotten close.
Really impressed that Garrick put Lunt on notice. Lunt needs to lead, plain and simple.He's the starting QB, he's a senior, he's a captain. If he were to step up into the pocket and deliver passes from time to time, he would gain the respect of his teammates and they will go to war for him. It's up to him. Does he want to be great, or just an average QB that is afraid of contact?
We'll find out.
Part of me wonders if he thinks his game is suited for the NFL and he doesn't want to get hurt and ruin his chances of a pro career. Of course, no NFL team will play him if he can't deliver throws from the pocket.
I know that the offensive line has had some issues and at least one starter has been out for every game thus far. Hopefully, the line can get healthy, gain chemistry and form a nice safe pocket for Wes to deliver strikes down the field.
It also doesn't help that Dudek is out, the one guy that can create separation and win match-ups and catch anything.
But as it stands now, it appears that opposing coaches and teams know that Lunt is not going to run, and that if they send pressure, Lunt will struggle. Time for our WRs to win some one-on-one battles and make plays.
If you recall Dudek's freshman year, Lunt threw to him to the exclusion of everyone else. Just like the StL Rams did with Danny Amendola. Same result with both got injured.
If you look at the Chicago media, it's Notre Dame first. Wisconsin recruits heavily there. Illinois becomes a menu choice way down the list.
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