UCLA 22, Illinois 14 Postgame

#26      
Oracle21
This is basically what Illinois does. They don’t get blown out. Credit to Bielema for not letting these guys roll over.

And this is what UCLA has been this year. Winning with their defense but offense very iffy.

Illinois had a chance this game. But Houser just wasn’t good enough.

If UCLA gets into the playoff I’m picking against them. They have a good defense, a couple flashy WRs, but really lack the QB and make some dumb mistakes (roughing punter in end zone, and going for it on 4th and 2, QB has chance to run for easy 1sr down and he throws incompete). It’s ugly. 10-0 but not a believer

Also let this be last game that Brando/Gardner do for Illinois. Terrible broadcast
 
#27      
Illini2010-11
Such a winnable game, and the Illini had the chance to drive down the field to win late in the 4th. About all you can ask, but there is going to still be a bitter taste with the extent of self enforced errors. Simply can't pull off an upset with 3 turnovers and a safety allowed.

Defense really came to play. Hopefully that intensity rolls over to the final two games of refular season.
 
#28      
FloridaMan
Proud of the effort in the second half. Defense played a complete game after that opening drive.

Tough night for Houser. Some really poor decisions and throws but I appreciate him fighting until the end.

I muted the Fox broadcast at halftime and tuned in to the radio call. I used to respect Brando, but he has turned into a lazy, clownish announcer. And whoever makes the decision to continue to employ Devin Gardner is an idiot.
 
#31      
wncillini
About the expected result but kind of the most frustrating path to it. Played like crap and still plenty of chances to win against the 15th best team in the country thats ranked 4th.....and couldn't come away with it.

Ever since bill Walton and the arizona game the west coast homerism just hurts a little more when they win. Really wanted this a lot more down the stretch then I did going into it.

Who would have thought after purdue we would be praising the undersized and outplayed d every week and getting frustrated at the awesome dynamic O.
 
#32      
Birdus
spotter said:
This announcing job rose to Bill Walton levels in the 2002 Elite 8 game against Arizona.

UCLA will not go far in the CFP.

Have I mentioned I don't like Devin Gardner?

I really like how the defense is playing.

Offense was bad, but I think they can clean things up and find a seventh win.

I don't want to ever hear Devin Gardner on my TV, ever, again.
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I agree. They might win one game but after that I see them getting beat. Still, all in all, they have had a great year. This game was winnable. Hauser had an off night. Clement was the best receiver on the field tonight. Hopefully he didn't break a rib or something.
 
#34      
BryceHopkins
I’m proud of how well we completed. A little sloppy, but we played hard and were in it til the end.

It had absolutely no bearing on the outcome of the game, but that broadcast was embarrassingly awful… just STFU already if you have nothing intelligent to say
 
#35      
MaineIllini
Frustrated. No moral victories. But proud of the team for keeping it a one score game on a tough night against an undefeated team on their field.

And irritated to have to watch it on Fox with their poor production, a has-been announcer, and a biased, shouting analyst. I think back to the 2024 CBS broadcast of the 100th anniversary game against Michigan. A world of difference in the production and broadcast talent.
 
#36      
Iillinifan4ever
Brutal night for Houser. Offenive line not much help. Really seemed like he had happy feet most of the night. I get so tired of watching our football team give everything they have and have to listen to the announcers slobber all over how great our opponents are. Just really biased announcing tonight. Let's shock Iowa next week.
 
#37      
HensonHall71
HereSoIDontGetFined said:
Interested to find out what Bret says about Houser either getting stepped on or poked in some extracurriculars at the end of that play.

You don't start bleeding from your nose that much without some kind of direct force applied.
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The same guy that rolled on top of him stepped on his face mask it looked like- Katin’s chin was cut as well as the nose bleed- I don’t think I've ever seen that before
 
#40      
lstewart53x3
wncillini said:
About the expected result but kind of the most frustrating path to it. Played like crap and still plenty of chances to win against the 15th best team in the country thats ranked 4th.....and couldn't come away with it.

Ever since bill Walton and the arizona game the west coast homerism just hurts a little more when they win. Really wanted this a lot more down the stretch then I did going into it.

Who would have thought after purdue we would be praising the undersized and outplayed d every week and getting frustrated at the awesome dynamic O.
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As bad as the defense has been at times this year, it has at least kept us in every game outside of Ohio St. With last year’s offense, it’s possible we’re 9-1 right now.
 
#41      
IlliniWatcher
F**k.

Okay, but more seriously, the defense stepped up better this game. The team had a chance at tying it. But the Bruins are just a little too hot this year. Wishing Clayton had gotten a shot to win it but injuries.

I watched some of the 4th quarter. We had a shot. But I've seen those picks in other Illinois seasons in past years. They get rolling in the second half, and then...a heart-ripping interception.

Two more games. Neither are guaranteed, but then neither are top-five programs, either. 8-and-4, anyone?
 
#45      
IlliniWu
Tough effort right there against a playoff team. Illinois is close they just have to keep adding to what they're doing. You have playmakers in place and another game breaker coming in, in Konkey. Defense has just lit a fire. Just have to keep adding. I don't like the loss but I can understand it. Can't make that many mistakes in these types of games, rain or not (Which they adjusted well from IMO). A good game from two of the best coaching staffs.
 
#47      
Mr. Tibbs
Illini2010-11 said:
Such a winnable game, and the Illini had the chance to drive down the field to win late in the 4th. About all you can ask, but there is going to still be a bitter taste with the extent of self enforced errors. Simply can't pull off an upset with 3 turnovers and a safety allowed.

Defense really came to play. Hopefully that intensity rolls over to the final two games of refular season.
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beat Iowa & NU and all is forgiven
 
#48      
LJ22
wncillini said:
About the expected result but kind of the most frustrating path to it.
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Expected when and by whom? I expected way worse than this result after Purdue and still slightly worse than this result after Nebraska. A loss is a loss but we fought and there were real bright spots.

Agreed on the frustrating part, but I'd rather be frustrated in a once score loss than a blowout.

I think we beat Iowa.
 
#49      
Illinois_2_AZ
HereSoIDontGetFined said:
Interested to find out what Bret says about Houser either getting stepped on or poked in some extracurriculars at the end of that play.

You don't start bleeding from your nose that much without some kind of direct force applied.
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Bret was really mad at the ref, so something definitely happened underneath the pile. I just couldn't tell what happened.
 
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