Washington 42, Illinois 25 Postgame
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We played like a zook team. The personal fouls on offense were back breakers. We had a couple chances plays that would change the momentum and didn’t come up with the ball.
It’s also easy to say at home but I think the first series on offense should’ve been 4 down territory. The fade to Bowick was a bad call he’s not going to moss a 6’4 corner. Would’ve like run on 3rd down and do a slat or whip route on 4th.
It’s also easy to say at home but I think the first series on offense should’ve been 4 down territory. The fade to Bowick was a bad call he’s not going to moss a 6’4 corner. Would’ve like run on 3rd down and do a slat or whip route on 4th.
The most concerning part was that our rush wasn't designed to bring any pressure. Either that or we have guys that are not able to get any pressure, even when trying. And after seeing them match down the field multiple times, we didn't appear to change anything, or take any chances bringing pressure.
I get starting the game conservatively on defense, but how much would it have hurt to try switching things up? Maybe we give up some big plays, but we weren't stopping them anyway, so the outcome would be the same.
They were worried about the defense getting up the field and creating huge lanes for Williams. The problem is we have him all day and had blown coverage on the back end. With how bad our secondary has been I’m not sure what the game plan is to play this soft.
How different is this game if we don’t drop the easy int and at worst go into half 17-14 and get the ball to start the 3rd. That was a back breaker but good teams play through that and find a way to win. When we scored with 1:50 left in the half I knew that they would go right down the field and score on us
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
292 Passing yardage, 157 Rushing Yardage........Time for Mr. Henry to go...
I'm far from an expert on line play, but what are our guys taught to do? All I see them doing is standing straight up dancing with offensive linemen with little slow choppy steps, if any steps at all. When was the last time we had a lineman try to make a move to shed a blocker? When Johny Newton was here? I mean it's maddening to sit there and watch other lines block our guys for 7 seconds every play while our d line gets absolutely no push at all every game.
Absolutely- that dropped interception with open field in front of him by Kruetz was a total game changer. If it’s 24-14 good guys at half with us getting the ball - it’s a completely different game- play calls are different etc all second half. They still would have scored almost every possession I’m sure but they would have had to force the issue which may have led to mistakes, we could have been more balanced on offense and run more clock. If we are up 10 points and they only get 4 possessions in the second half - I like our chances
I still don’t know if we ever stop them in the 2nd half but that had potential to be a 14 point swing.
They are trying to keep the qb in the pocket. We had the same game plan for Jakob Daniel’s and Kotelnicki torched us
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Ryan Walters Vs Mr. Henry......hmmmm
Try something, right!! Hell I wouldnt of mad if all our players got ejected for fighting at least that would of showed some fight
Been the same game plan every week. It's all I've seen them do. We have 5 sacks and 15 TFL for the conference season, effectively ranking dead last in both categories. Two straight games with 0 sacks. As someone mentioned, we make every QB look like Heisman. Hell, we gave up over 300 yds to Ryan Browne (100 over his season avg.) On the back end, we have 1 interception; again dead last.
Kaliakmanis avgs 280/game and M. Washington 235. They will feast on our D. Our only hope is that one or both have off days these next two games.
I know you are correct that it's the strategy; but that strategy is not working. This D is historically bad.
I would hope we would get more aggressive now that we are going against a mobile qb. I’m shocked how much zone we run considering we ran man almost exclusively last year. Bart gets a ton of crap about prep evaluations, the defensive evals are just as bad.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
lol I get it, I do. Maybe I missed a deleted hot take, but the majority of it has been about the state of our defense, which, imo,is absolutely, unquestionably unacceptable.
As for the state of our program? Anyone happy or satisfied with 7,8, or even 9 win seasons now just because of what we were, good on ya! Seriously, I wish I could be that chill about my Illini fandom!!
Indinia and money has changed that narrative of expectations (for me) forever.
If I have to actually sit and be satisfied with that while watching Indinia football….INDIMOTHERFLIPPINGANA ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW???…go unbeaten and compete for a NC??
I’ll be f$@&ing out dude.
I dunno if that makes me a12 year old maniac?
I didn’t throw anything at the tv, but I did eat too much pizza, so.
IlliniFanHere
- New York
Seems Walters had a good scheme....
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Game notes:
1. If I was an NFL scout, I would take Xavier Scott early knowing he was the keeping the entire defense competent.
2. I understand the plan was to keep Demond in the pocket, but where are you Gabe Jacas? We need you in the worst of ways.
3. A lot said about Aaron Henry, so I'll keep it brief. I'm not at the "fire him" stage, but questions need to be asked. I actually don't mind the "bend but don't break" approach. The bigger question is this team badly needs to create pressure. We can all see the opponent is getting forever in the pocket. A strategic shift seems necessary.
4. I'm not blaming Altmyer for the turnovers. The team's back was against the wall and he needs to increase the risk to keep the ball moving. If anything I appreciate him correctly diagnosing the seriousness of the situation.
5. Deep cut: Jordan Anderson needs more snaps at tight end. His blocking rate is impressive and he can grow as a pass-catcher.
6. I was impressed with the offensive line again. Would love to know more about why things were such a struggle to start and have significantly improved. Luke is getting lots and lots of time back there on passing downs.
7. Staff gave the green light for more Altmyer keeps on RPOs. Not sure if that was a decision just for this important game or if they are making that change for the entire stretch run.
8. That game is multiple standard deviations against you for turnover luck. That muffed punt would have been massive. Guaranteed 3 points and you feel great about getting 7 with how the offense had performed to that point. The offense doesn't have to press on that next possession being down two scores and can continue their methodical approach. Alas.
9. Rusk is coming on. 9 catches for 124 yards against two really good teams. Something to monitor.
10. I think the anger is fair, but perspective is needed. Illinois just played their hardest stretch of five consecutive games since....end of 2017? 2016? Even those are probably easier stretches. This was a really tough stretch. The schedule is about to lighten substantially. I'm still hopeful for a good finish.
1. If I was an NFL scout, I would take Xavier Scott early knowing he was the keeping the entire defense competent.
2. I understand the plan was to keep Demond in the pocket, but where are you Gabe Jacas? We need you in the worst of ways.
3. A lot said about Aaron Henry, so I'll keep it brief. I'm not at the "fire him" stage, but questions need to be asked. I actually don't mind the "bend but don't break" approach. The bigger question is this team badly needs to create pressure. We can all see the opponent is getting forever in the pocket. A strategic shift seems necessary.
4. I'm not blaming Altmyer for the turnovers. The team's back was against the wall and he needs to increase the risk to keep the ball moving. If anything I appreciate him correctly diagnosing the seriousness of the situation.
5. Deep cut: Jordan Anderson needs more snaps at tight end. His blocking rate is impressive and he can grow as a pass-catcher.
6. I was impressed with the offensive line again. Would love to know more about why things were such a struggle to start and have significantly improved. Luke is getting lots and lots of time back there on passing downs.
7. Staff gave the green light for more Altmyer keeps on RPOs. Not sure if that was a decision just for this important game or if they are making that change for the entire stretch run.
8. That game is multiple standard deviations against you for turnover luck. That muffed punt would have been massive. Guaranteed 3 points and you feel great about getting 7 with how the offense had performed to that point. The offense doesn't have to press on that next possession being down two scores and can continue their methodical approach. Alas.
9. Rusk is coming on. 9 catches for 124 yards against two really good teams. Something to monitor.
10. I think the anger is fair, but perspective is needed. Illinois just played their hardest stretch of five consecutive games since....end of 2017? 2016? Even those are probably easier stretches. This was a really tough stretch. The schedule is about to lighten substantially. I'm still hopeful for a good finish.
I’m just as pissed as the next guy about freaking Indiana’s historic rise, but that’s what it is historic. How many programs in the depths like IU was have been able to turn it around like this? I honestly don’t know but can’t be many. As I said above I’ll still be happy with 8-9 wins with what we’ve had to endure the vast majority of years prior
Typical Illinois. Been attending, watching since 1970s. Always the same ending to this story. Had me fooled again, shame on me.
Absolutely- that dropped interception with open field in front of him by Kruetz was a total game changer. If it’s 24-14 good guys at half with us getting the ball - it’s a completely different game- play calls are different etc all second half. They still would have scored almost every possession I’m sure but they would have had to force the issue which may have led to mistakes, we could have been more balanced on offense and run more clock. If we are up 10 points and they only get 4 possessions in the second half - I like our chances
The only punt was when the receiver dropped a wide open pass.
Yes, if whatever you are doing is clearly not working you have to try something else. That's just common sense. Henry has to be the most stubborn or tentative dc in the big10 or just incapable of making in-game adjustments.
I agree with your assessment so I will concentrate on #2. Jacas is not being used correctly. Granted, he is being double teamed so to correct this, you move him to where the double teamed is not. He needs to move all over the LOS and create a better matchup. He needs to be rushing the QB every single down from all areas of the field. Use him like Micah Parsons or aging myself, Lawrence Taylor. Complete waste of his last year and I blame Bret for this. I also believe that playing 7 yards off the LOS against the opposition receivers is stupid. Get up on the one and knock the hell out of them from the get go. Knock them off their route. That is what I did when I was a corner in HS. You still have a 5 yard cushion before you cannot touch the WR. We are weak on D and Bret is just flossing over this like it’s nothing. OK, you are pissed but it doesn’t show on the sidelines as we are getting our head handed to us. We could be the worst 10-3 team on college this year.
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