I was at the Michigan game when White's kick hit the crossbar. Heartbreaking.
Illinois 34, USC 32 Postgame
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aiwpfan
- Springfield, Il
3-3 tie? I was there, too.
Dan
Admin
Thanks to everyone who made today a magical day for Illinois Football. From students lining up way early in the morning, FOX & Barstool doing their pregame shows at Grange Grove, Lot 31 packed at 7:30am when I drove by, & for the 3rd time this year making Memorial a beautiful & fun CFB venue. Go Illini
I think I saw somewhere that in 3 games against P4 teams we've only forced 4 punts. That's why some people are rightfully concerned with our Defense. We just can't get off the field. Giving up 3rd and 14, 3rd and 16 conversions with little resistance isn't usually a recipe for success. We're a turnover or bust Defense. I'm about done with the Henry experience.
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
Watch Bret’s postgame presser and tell me that’s not a big time ball coach. Hit all the right notes after last week. Made some changes and refocused the effort. Easily the best coach since Mackovic and probably well beyond that.
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
Nearly forget about REO being there
I heard it from a friend who
Heard it from friend who
Confirms that Lincoln Riley is a total punk
(He is from Oklahoma)
I heard it from a friend who
Heard it from friend who
Confirms that Lincoln Riley is a total punk
(He is from Oklahoma)
This was the student lineup at 5:45 am to enter Grange Grove. Student section was full a good 15-20 minutes before kick off, and they were loud and raucous for at least three hours until the sun beating on them took a bit of a toll. Love to see it.
I was listening to his radio postgame interview and made a similar comment to my wife. He made sure to mention Beatty and acknowledge Rochester HS and other central IL programs and how great it is to see those kids playing here, how important Illinois recruits are. I told her that comment wasn’t for us. He just gets it. Total pro.
Totally. He's obviously a fantastic teacher and leader. I love our MBB coach in a similar way.
All of the posters that will be dismissing this game as ‘luck’ in the offseason because it wasn’t a nine point win 
.
JFC. Gave them the ball, twice, as Illini going in for touchdowns.
But, sure. I’ll see you in January when you put this game in the pure luck column.
. JFC. Gave them the ball, twice, as Illini going in for touchdowns.
But, sure. I’ll see you in January when you put this game in the pure luck column.
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
Yeah. I’ve seen lots of bad on Illini sidelines going back to Tepper. It’s just so nice to see us doing things in games that are consistently smart and disciplined in approach. That sequence late in 2nd quarter was masterful clock usage and play calling til the horrid fumble call on Feagin. We set that up as soon as we got the ball with 5 min left. Running play clock instantly. I feel like Bret gives out guys the best chance to win tactically every week. That’s really all you can ask of a coach in game.
Awesome Victory .
.ALSO HUGE SHOUT OUT TO PARKING LOT SHUTTLE BUSES! It was a hot one today.
.ALSO HUGE SHOUT OUT TO PARKING LOT SHUTTLE BUSES! It was a hot one today.
You'd legitimately have to have zero knowledge of the rules to believe this as a fumble:
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Of the two major morning gameday shows, only Pat McAfee made the correct prediction.
And he rolls his joints all wrong.
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
Or have a financial investment in the result.
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Game Notes:
(1) First win in a long time where so many procedural and statistical outcomes that seem to go against you. Fumble twice inside the five yard line, one of those is an egregious call, your opponent converts a bunch of fourth downs/long third downs, they convert a two-point attempt in the fourth quarter....and you still win.
(2) Lemon is a dude. Grateful that Illinois will not have to face him again.
(3) One sack allowed against one of the best pass rushing units in the country. 171 rushing yards and the running game was a consistent strength all game. Many flowers to the offensive line after (rightfully) being called out after last week.
(4) USC was one of the best running teams going into the game and the Illinois defense rose the challenge. USC's running game had to labor all game - 34 carries for 126 yards. Eli Sanders ran for 1,000+ yards last year and was averaging 7 yards/carry. Sanders had 14 yards on 8 carries. Illinois forced them to pass the ball.
(5) Feagin was sooo much more decisive in the running game. Part of that is the offensive line was moving folks and providing easier choices, but part was Feagin showing improvement. His best game since 2023 Maryland?
(6) Altmyer was fantastic. Again, offensive line performed so well that the running game was efficient and Altmyer had time to throw, but Luke made the most of an improved environment.
(7) Defensive line created a lot of pressure through the first three quarters. It created a couple penalties early before fading deep in the game. Maiva was a gamer and created plays when it was a long 3rd or 4th down and facing a free Illinois rusher. Still feels like this unit can do more.
(8) I'm torn between (a) "this was the best defensive performance this season against this USC offense and that's meaningful, and (b) "the offense is going to have to score many points because this defense is going to struggle". Purdue's offense is frisky and likely will tell us a lot about the defense for the rest of 2025.
(9) This team, especially on defense, is really banged up. Can already tell some guys are playing through stuff. I wish next weekend was a bye.
(10) That Rosiek interception isn't getting enough love. That was a really hard pass to hold onto, huge moment for Rosie's first pick.
(1) First win in a long time where so many procedural and statistical outcomes that seem to go against you. Fumble twice inside the five yard line, one of those is an egregious call, your opponent converts a bunch of fourth downs/long third downs, they convert a two-point attempt in the fourth quarter....and you still win.
(2) Lemon is a dude. Grateful that Illinois will not have to face him again.
(3) One sack allowed against one of the best pass rushing units in the country. 171 rushing yards and the running game was a consistent strength all game. Many flowers to the offensive line after (rightfully) being called out after last week.
(4) USC was one of the best running teams going into the game and the Illinois defense rose the challenge. USC's running game had to labor all game - 34 carries for 126 yards. Eli Sanders ran for 1,000+ yards last year and was averaging 7 yards/carry. Sanders had 14 yards on 8 carries. Illinois forced them to pass the ball.
(5) Feagin was sooo much more decisive in the running game. Part of that is the offensive line was moving folks and providing easier choices, but part was Feagin showing improvement. His best game since 2023 Maryland?
(6) Altmyer was fantastic. Again, offensive line performed so well that the running game was efficient and Altmyer had time to throw, but Luke made the most of an improved environment.
(7) Defensive line created a lot of pressure through the first three quarters. It created a couple penalties early before fading deep in the game. Maiva was a gamer and created plays when it was a long 3rd or 4th down and facing a free Illinois rusher. Still feels like this unit can do more.
(8) I'm torn between (a) "this was the best defensive performance this season against this USC offense and that's meaningful, and (b) "the offense is going to have to score many points because this defense is going to struggle". Purdue's offense is frisky and likely will tell us a lot about the defense for the rest of 2025.
(9) This team, especially on defense, is really banged up. Can already tell some guys are playing through stuff. I wish next weekend was a bye.
(10) That Rosiek interception isn't getting enough love. That was a really hard pass to hold onto, huge moment for Rosie's first pick.
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