Duke 31, Illinois 27 Postgame

#327      
Battle89
Fly Illini Fly! said:
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Would it have really mattered...
 
#329      
mhuml32
ChiefGritty said:
I think very, very highly of Barry Lunney, who is not the one who chose the change in philosophy, but between that new philosophy and the strengths of his new quarterback, he needs to chug a Red Bull and embrace his inner Dana Holgorsen.

We kept trying to run an immaculate, clock-absorbing, classic game winning balanced drive. Those aren't the circumstances anymore. Pedal to the metal go get as many points as you can.
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I have no insider information but my priors assumed that Bielema was influencing the offensive pace late in the game because of how he wanted the end-game to play out (Werner seemed to either also have the same thought or got insider information confirming that).
 
#330      
RabidDawgClassic
Dkayak said:
It’s inexplicable. With 277 passing yards and 111 rushing yards, we call four rushing plays to gain just 8 yards and turn it over on downs at our end of the field. Can someone please explain why we didn’t rely on what was working instead of betting the game on what wasn’t?

The game was still winnable until we chose to run out the clock for Duke.
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I’m guessing Bielema wanted to do what we did at the end of the Tennessee bowl game and drain the clock all the way down and win at the gun. That’s a great plan IF you can execute. Not so great when you don’t.

Most people point to the fake punt as the game changer, but I would argue the trim momentum changer came at the end of the first half. Illinois was methodically driving and was milking the clock successfully. It appeared they were going to play for the last score of the half and have a two score lead going into the break. But then we scored too early, leaving Duke just under two minutes to score.. which they did. The Blue Devils then took the second half kickoff and took the lead. That momentum shift turned the tide.
 
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