IW was back in for the kneel downs at the end
Illinois 38, Wyoming 6 Postgame
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
I’d say it moved the needle for me. I see they weren’t that great but our D was pretty impressive and were all over their receivers and the line held as well even though they figured some stuff out to move the ball a bit at the open of the second half. We probably would have won this game even under Lovie, but it probably wouldn’t have been as convincing or as comfortable.
I don't recall being this competent on both sides of the ball and having depth in key positions like QB, RB, WR. Concern is PK, but he is a veteran and Coach B said he had a good camp.
OL seems pretty good minus a couple holding penaties. DeVito is very accurate and makes good decisions. Our HC, DC and OC much better than previous 20 years.
OL seems pretty good minus a couple holding penaties. DeVito is very accurate and makes good decisions. Our HC, DC and OC much better than previous 20 years.
A positive opener on which to build. Pretty certain most who saw the game are happy to have DeVito behind center. Sure hate to see McCray go down and hope he can play again soon. Did not like the penalties at all, but otherwise the team appears to have plenty of speed and competence. And most importantly, it appears to have a competent coaching staff. Could be an interesting season.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
For me, seeing a QB with a bit of accuracy that was able to go through his progressions and get his feet set was huge. We didn't have that last season. Now can he do it facing a B1G defense? That's what we'll find out next week. The fact that DeVito passed the initial eye test gives me some solid hope.
At least they didn’t run out of water this year.
Our missteps have gone past on the field unfortunately
Yearly “I don’t know football” reminder.
How much did we show offensively, schematically today? Was it pretty vanilla or did we show more than was expected?
How much did we show offensively, schematically today? Was it pretty vanilla or did we show more than was expected?
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Aside from a handful of injuries and a few too many penalties, that was a dream Week 0 game. Got the win. Demonstrated some consistency on both sides of the ball. New QB1 built some confidence with his teammates. Backups all got some meaningful minutes.
A's across the board for me.
A's across the board for me.
Haven't had a chance to read comments yet but really great to see the response late in the 3rd quarter on both sides of the ball! We look like a competent program for the first time in a long while, and I'm confident in the coaching staff's ability to correct the penalty issues. Thought Lunney called a great game after a slow start to the second half. Overall, as optimistic as I have been about football in decades, literally. Great start!
Really enjoyed being at the game. Great win. Hope Josh isn’t injured.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Very refreshing!
My takeaway is that we are better than expected, but Wyoming was worse than expected. I'm cautiously optimistic, but this team and coaching staff feels different. I haven't felt this way since maybe the Scheelhaase QB year in 2010 or 2011, or the 2007 Rose Bowl year. Our defense is going to hold some people, and we have a stellar offensive line with key players on offense. It's a clean slate.....why not us.
alamocityillini
- San Antonio
Not a single trick play, runs up the middle or slightly slanted, nothing special run for IW, only one QB run I can remember, no screen passes I can remember, all passes 5-10 yards with only a few exceptions, no home run attempts. No blitzes on D etc. seemed very vanilla to me.
I did enjoy the 5-10 yard passes whenever we wanted them, though. Other teams have been doing that to us for years without us being able to do it nearly enough in return.
Having watched many of UTSA's games last year, I expect our offense to be very different starting Friday. I was delighted when we were able to lure Lunney away from them.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
The defense has an identity. Attitude. Sound coaching.
Chase Brown is a very special RB.
Tommy D. impressed me with his composure after early juice...settled down and made some really good passes.
I'm not even mad about the early conduct penalties. This team plays with an edge...I'd rather coaches need to tell them to dial it down a notch vs. the opposite....and spiking the football is a big fat nothing burger.
We have real, actual, legitimate college football coaches.
Take it to Bloomington and the next level.
Chase Brown is a very special RB.
Tommy D. impressed me with his composure after early juice...settled down and made some really good passes.
I'm not even mad about the early conduct penalties. This team plays with an edge...I'd rather coaches need to tell them to dial it down a notch vs. the opposite....and spiking the football is a big fat nothing burger.
We have real, actual, legitimate college football coaches.
Take it to Bloomington and the next level.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
At the game today. You are correct. It was the ultimate Vanilla Vanilla game. Nothing given away whatsoever.
In fact, I found myself complaining about Lunney running the same plays over and over. But it was all part of the plan.
Huh, I saw it light on the East side but didn't think it was that small of a crowd.
37K and change.
I was impressed with Devito's handling of the clock. He got plays off that I'm sure the last few years would have been delay penalties or used up a time-out.
My take on coach Walters is that he's too smart to jump at just any old head coaching position. I think he'll stay around long enough to keep raising his reputation until a head coach job in a really good situation comes up. (At least I hope so).
12-0 until proved different!