Maryland 20, Illinois 17 Postgame

#176      
It must be incredible that Lovie found a way to take most of that same slow, soft, small talent to a bowl game two years ago. I didn't even like Lovie but, you all are making him into a giant among coaches.
It must be incredible that Lovie took that bowl game talent and found a way to lose 9 of his last 11 games to finish out his career at Illinois.
 
#177      

the national

the Front Range
If by giant you mean giant failure at the college level, then yes, that is what we are making him into.
what she said yes GIF by TipsyElves.com
 
#180      
It must be incredible that Lovie found a way to take most of that same slow, soft, small talent to a bowl game two years ago. I didn't even like Lovie but, you all are making him into a giant among coaches.
By the skin of his teeth. The MSU and Wisconsin wins were wonderful, but unlikely. That team also dropped a game to eastern Michigan. In reality was probably a 4-8 team that got a little lucky.
 
#182      
to be fair, nothing wrong with hiring brothers (or fathers or sons) if they are competent.

No one would fault Lane Kiffin for hiring Monte, nor a Stoops or Bowden from hiring a brother. Its only when they are incompetent that its an issue.
 
#183      
Horrific play calling. Our offense and defense are not good. It looks to be a long season again after i had such high hopes that we would show some noticeable improvement. We should have won this game. We are what we are, sadly.
 
#184      
Running the ball late in the game with no time outs against UTSA was horrible and now the play calling against Maryland. The OC does not have a clue how to keep the opposing defenses off balance. This is on the coaching staff, so we are in trouble.
 
#185      
Running the ball late in the game with no time outs against UTSA was horrible and now the play calling against Maryland. The OC does not have a clue how to keep the opposing defenses off balance. This is on the coaching staff, so we are in trouble.
Seems like if we ran the ball the RB got stuffed at the line of scrimmage, but when we tried to pass BP would get sacked for a 15 yard loss....
 
#186      
By the skin of his teeth. The MSU and Wisconsin wins were wonderful, but unlikely. That team also dropped a game to eastern Michigan. In reality was probably a 4-8 team that got a little lucky.
Wins are wins and losses are losses, Coach Beckman.
 
#187      

the national

the Front Range
At least, you are not in denial about the bowl game. I am not a Lovie fan but everyone is trying to make it like Illinois has no talent. Yet, that talent made it to a bowl game. There had to have been something there. Get real.
I dont get it. The bowl game was 2 years ago. That season we finished with a losing record. 6-7 is not that much better than 5-7 in my eyes. At least, it’s nothing I would celebrate. Plus a few of those guys are now playing in the NFL. Who many guys on this team will make an NFL roaster next year? Maybe the kickers but that might be it.
 
#188      
Yes we went to a bowl game, but only because two teams literally handed us wins thanks to an interception late on a play that never should have been a pass and also a 4th and very long throw to Bhebe.

Wisconsin thought so little of us, they threw on third and five instead of just running which at worst would be a punt and force us to go 50ish yards for a fg with 2:30, on the clock.

We beat MSU starting down 21 in the fourth quarter and was saved by an 83yd touchdown, a pick six, a 4th and 17 luck bomb to Bhebe, a PI on 4th and goal, and giving a pick in the red zone.

This is not something that is sustainable. You kick away from Hester if you are the Cardinals. You run the ball if you are up 25 late in the super bowl against Tom Brady. We look decent against Maryland, but we have zero physical attributes that cause a mismatch for us on offense. We are smaller, slower, and we have zero room for error.
 
#189      
At least, you are not in denial about the bowl game. I am not a Lovie fan but everyone is trying to make it like Illinois has no talent. Yet, that talent made it to a bowl game. There had to have been something there. Get real.
I don't understand why you keep wanting want to skip a year. It's not the same talent that went to a bowl game. There's no way Illinois goes bowling in 2019 without Josh Imatorbhebhe, for one. You should be comparing the talent and records this year to last year, not two years ago.
 
#190      
On the last Illinois offensive series, when Peters passed the ball to the center Jeresaty (#55) why did the player and the coach argue the penalty? I’ve seen no press coverage of that. Did they believe 55 lined up as an eligible receiver? Did they believe the pass was tipped? I could not figure out what was the dispute.
 
#191      
Do we even have any tight ends? Are there any plays designed for them wherecritical short yardage gains are crucial? We seem to have a passing attack of throwing deep in to coverage or get sacked. No separation. Woe is us. No imagination on offense. Our lack of a pass rush is another killer. Hate to be critical but seeing it each week is deju vu all over again. Hard to understand how 3 star recruits remain 3 star talent after 4, 5 or 6 years. Just venting. Forgive me. It's just frustrating and disappointing to watch.
 
#192      

blackdog

Champaign
On the last Illinois offensive series, when Peters passed the ball to the center Jeresaty (#55) why did the player and the coach argue the penalty? I’ve seen no press coverage of that. Did they believe 55 lined up as an eligible receiver? Did they believe the pass was tipped? I could not figure out what was the dispute.

I think they were maybe trying to argue for an ineligible receiver penalty instead of the intentional grounding. Big difference between the two.
 
#194      
expectations. When you expect a win total between 3-5, expect blowouts, this is the kind of game I want to see.
Kept waiting for Maryland to run away. They never did.
Progress this game. defense played much better. McCray breakout game. Seth Coleman breakout game?
Yes, would’ve liked to see the 4th down go for it. Better last drive. Keep rushing 3, cover rest on final drive. But didn’t happen. And game was a toss up. Just like neb and UztSA. Virginia only uncompetitive game, first on road. Hopefully can learn from this and move forward.
Maybe learn peters not that answer? Gave him full game. Need to gamble on 4th downs? Quicker routes to counteract okine play? More play action please? Better def rotation??
But, this is entertainment. Root for the team, improved play, progress, throughout the year, close games, and hopefully some go to the W column.
 
#196      

GrayGhost77

Centennial, CO
expectations. When you expect a win total between 3-5, expect blowouts, this is the kind of game I want to see.
Kept waiting for Maryland to run away. They never did.
Progress this game. defense played much better. McCray breakout game. Seth Coleman breakout game?
Yes, would’ve liked to see the 4th down go for it. Better last drive. Keep rushing 3, cover rest on final drive. But didn’t happen. And game was a toss up. Just like neb and UztSA. Virginia only uncompetitive game, first on road. Hopefully can learn from this and move forward.
Maybe learn peters not that answer? Gave him full game. Need to gamble on 4th downs? Quicker routes to counteract okine play? More play action please? Better def rotation??
But, this is entertainment. Root for the team, improved play, progress, throughout the year, close games, and hopefully some go to the W column.
 
#198      
go back and re-read the pregame thread; most were thinking blow out double digit loss. i get it, we could and should of won this but if you can't see improvement compared with the last 2 weeks look again- defense played much better, even with the late melt down. we all need to temper our expectations and realize how big a hole this program was in when the new staff took over
I didn't expect to find actual logic being used on the board this morning. This is a great take. It will take a long time to fix this roster. There are no playmakers on either side and no one that has to be accounted for consistently. It will start with improved line play and then you find playmakers.
 
#199      
Many of you post as if Maryland is Alabama. The talent level is not that different b/t MD and us. Our players (who many of you are ripping on here) did enough to put us in position to win. Up 7 at home, with the ball at the opponent’s 40 yard line with 5 minutes left. I think Bielema is a great hire and is going to do great things, but this was a coach’s loss.
 
#200      
Many of you post as if Maryland is Alabama. The talent level is not that different b/t MD and us. Our players (who many of you are ripping on here) did enough to put us in position to win. Up 7 at home, with the ball at the opponent’s 40 yard line with 5 minutes left. I think Bielema is a great hire and is going to do great things, but this was a coach’s loss.
I've been at every home game and have read everything I have found about the team, and watched every video. I'm in deep for sure. When we punted on 4th and one (which was near mid-field), I did not think at the moment that it was a bad decision. Peters had not played well, and we could not count on a run not getting stuffed. We had a chance to pin Maryland deep and to that point our defense had given up few points. If we had gone for it and not made it, Maryland would have had great field position. If you want to engage in further hind-sighting, you could say that if we had gone for the first down but failed, Maryland might have scored to tie it up sooner, giving us more time (more than the 47 seconds which is what I recall we had) to plan a drive toward at least a field goal without needing to pass in desperation. But that's of course just speculation.
As for Maryland, they looked and played like they were inspired and confident, with what looked to me like a good game plan. They clearly have some athletes and playmakers. I don't know if they played over their heads, but we certainly didn't catch them when they were down by any means. It is a shame that the last 5 minutes overshadowed Illinois' solid play (other than our quarterbacking) up to that point.
Anyway, I'm a believer in Bielema and his staff, and I like the direction Coach B is taking the program. I very much hope we can be at least competitive in all of our remaining games this season, and win more of them than expected. I'd like to go to the game at Purdue, but practically would have a difficult time arranging it. I look forward at least to attending each of the remaining home games.