tough night for a defense that played well enough to win the game against an unbeaten team at home...
UCLA 22, Illinois 14 Postgame
From the reverse angle it looked like he might’ve gotten a boot to the face as the guy who tackled him got up. Not a legitimate kick, more like the player took a step forward when getting up and just caught Houser’s face. That said I’m not 100% that actually happened as there was only one camera angle that hinted at it. It didn’t look egregious however there’s an argument that it could have been a purposeful movement to waste a little more time by crossing over Houser instead of moving in the other direction. And my guess is that’s what Bret was hot about, because not only did he do just that, he also injured him because of it.
Ucla defense is the real deal - best we’ve seen by far
Yep. Late in the season, on the road against an undefeated no. 4 ranked team, we were in position for a game-winning drive with 6 minutes left, despite our qb having his worst game of the year. I'm old enough to remember when the expectations for us in a game like that would have been a 20+ point loss. It was like, the 2010's.
Heck, let's win the next three. And make the third against another SEC team.
Next game is the toughest of the three.
After the first quarter, I thought if we could keep it to within one score at the half, we would win. (Under BB, I'm probably gonna think that in every game.
)Joel Goodson
- 9th man conundrum
Disappointing, with a capital D
If we beat Iowa, I suspect that we'll be favored against NU.
It’s an excuse but again one- the weather couldn’t have been worse for our chances of winning. Knowing we needed to throw the ball to win and they were going to pound on the ground, having to play in a rainstorm is the worst possible (in LA at least). Add to that it seemed the couple of breaks in the rain were when UCLA had the ball, it seemed everything was against us
Having said that - to have the ball with a chance to tie the game showed real grit and toughness, it just leaves me wanting to have seen this game in clear conditions to know how it would have turned out, but that’s football
Houser made some uncharacteristic mistakes but showed toughness through some great throws for the two TD’s - I thought it was one of Lunneys worse games not scheming more crossing and pick routes to get our guys open knowing we couldn’t just beat them MTM
Having said that - to have the ball with a chance to tie the game showed real grit and toughness, it just leaves me wanting to have seen this game in clear conditions to know how it would have turned out, but that’s football
Houser made some uncharacteristic mistakes but showed toughness through some great throws for the two TD’s - I thought it was one of Lunneys worse games not scheming more crossing and pick routes to get our guys open knowing we couldn’t just beat them MTM
Story of the game. Missed blocks by the line and drops by the receivers.
This defense, you need a Brian Urlacher. James Kruetz is no Brian Urlacher, but he has stepped up and he is the captain of the defense. That's why you've seen the impressive turnaround. He's taken ownership, and he is the teacher, commander on the field- in the middle of the field.That is so important in this 3-3-5. I'm so happy for the men on that side of the ball, they were taking a fan verbal beat down early in season. Iowa game will be a battle!
Here's the messed up part about the runoff rule.
If you, as a defensive player with your team in the lead, can hide it well enough, you can injure a player with dirty play and force a ten second runoff. Just accidentally fall on the ball carrier's head or step on his leg while you're getting up. Oops! Sorry!
I get that it's there to also prevent the offensive team from flopping or pretending to be injured.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Everyone is disappointed, but I’m proud of our guys. To be in a position to win at the end against an undefeated UCLA in November at the Rose Bowl is something I never expected. We had chances, but came up short. That’s ok. The last 2 games are winnable. Have to protect KH better and he has to avoid the mistakes. Love the heart and grit of this team to come back from what could have been a disaster season to games that are fun to watch.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Luke was special last year, no doubt. Up there with the best QB seasons ever for an Illini QB.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Have to credit UCLA defense. Whatever our offensive game plan was, they came out and drove a cement truck through it.
As for our offensive game plan, you can’t wait til middle of the second half to find your TE’s and run some dink and dunk for your QB to get into some kind of rhythm. Trying to force the ball to covered WR’s is(was) a disaster in the making.
Houser’s got guts. I’d like to see them stay inside his body though. Gotta have better OL play.
As for our offensive game plan, you can’t wait til middle of the second half to find your TE’s and run some dink and dunk for your QB to get into some kind of rhythm. Trying to force the ball to covered WR’s is(was) a disaster in the making.
Houser’s got guts. I’d like to see them stay inside his body though. Gotta have better OL play.
insiders, i need some perspective. given the state of program building, it even possible for a middle tier program like ours to establish a consistent culture when theres so much turnover?
i think the most disappointing thing for me in last nights game was the lack of discipline and self sabotage that showed up- fair or not, i expect J Clarke, a senior leader on our defense, to not run that INT out.
dont get me wrong, its way better than ever but i still was hoping to actually be smart, tough, dependable, etc at this point and it seems like we have to re-establish basic things every year.
(to head things off, im a huge BB fan, our program is in the best shape of my life and this team has shown tremendous grit to bounce back from early on)
i think the most disappointing thing for me in last nights game was the lack of discipline and self sabotage that showed up- fair or not, i expect J Clarke, a senior leader on our defense, to not run that INT out.
dont get me wrong, its way better than ever but i still was hoping to actually be smart, tough, dependable, etc at this point and it seems like we have to re-establish basic things every year.
(to head things off, im a huge BB fan, our program is in the best shape of my life and this team has shown tremendous grit to bounce back from early on)
Illinir1
- Camdenton, MO
I use the Varsity app to sync the WDWS and Brian Barnhart radio broadcast to the TV. It is the only way to watch Illini football and basketball when they're on TV.
last year or 2024 ? yes
Luke in 2023 ? no
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
I am very impressed with the improvement aspect of our tackling since the beginning of the season ....early in the season we were being burnt by yards after contact and sometimes there was a lot of yards gained by our opponents before any initial contact by our defense.......now we see gang tackling and early on contact on the ballcarriers with 3-4-5 Illini defenders piling on the tackling area........I think Cooper has made a compelling case for DC job and seems like the players love playing for him .....JMHO ..
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
The announcers on TV were terrible. Willis Reed comparing to UCLA qb. He didn't look hurt when he came in. Correct me if I'm don't think I saw on tv any pro Illini crowd. We had our opportunity to win. Other than their Oregon game we played them the toughest.
Brandon Hansen is giving up a ton of pressures. He shouldn't be your starting RT, in any form of an ideal world.
Knapik will be back next year. Keep him on the left side, with a year of experience. He's never been a RT, and should have never started the year at RT.
RT needs to be a top priority in the offseason.
Christian Martin was a bust.
Knapik will be back next year. Keep him on the left side, with a year of experience. He's never been a RT, and should have never started the year at RT.
RT needs to be a top priority in the offseason.
Christian Martin was a bust.
My first Illini game was 1967 - the expectations haven't changed in 60 years!
But I think the point is this team competed against a better team and with 3 turnovers and UCLA taking away our best offensive player. Have to say I am equally impressed with both the way our players carried themselves and the way they were coached.
So the one change since 1967? The football program via the AD/Coaching staff - is as competitive on the field and on the sidelines as it ever has been. Now if we could only up the financial support, then we would be an outside contender every year.