Game Thread: Illinois at Northwestern

[FloridaMan]

Can we please commit to the run and sprinkle in some short passes in the second half? Control the ball and pound this defense, which is not good against the run at all. Outgained by NW in the first half is just unacceptable.

 

[New Creation]

another TD for AL

 

[derrick6]

A play from 2005!!! Laughery!

 

[zentrails]

Yep our D is gonna run out of gas
Need long drives by the O obviously plus more stops on D

Not enough rest for the D once again!! /s LOL

Edit: Short (time wise) drives for a TD are OK, too!

 

[CDRUSN]

Laughery with the house call!

 

[OskeeLoyalty]

JUST LIKE 2010 Let it be a Tailback game!!!

 

[Ramrod2010]

Laughery looking good the past couple of games.

Real good

 

[TheChief4Life]

HELLLLLLLL YEAH!

 

[illinidarrin]

Now that's a statement.

 

[OskieWowWow]

OL has been gelling very well that last few weeks. Love that speed from Aidan!

 

[Illini2010-11]

I disagree. The defense might look quite bad, but they have done the job for the first half. 3 red zone appearances by NW, only 3 points.

The Illini offense gave NW 7 points. The defense is the reason that Illini lead at the half.

Now Illini get ball to start half. Expect a lot on the ground. A TD will be huge, given NW has struggled to finish drives today (and all season).

Exactly the start to the half I wanted. Heavy dose of the ground game this half.

 

[thehass]

Looks like my halftime talk worked.

 

[Pikeillinifan]

Needed that one, let’s just ride AL the rest of the day, he’s on a heater.

 

[derrick6]

One reason for the time of possession disparity!

 

[BDMAN]

AL TO THE HOUSE!!!!!!

 

[TentakilRex]

Another TD GCMS

He is a real small school player.

 

[MoCoMdIllini]

Sorry about the short TOP on that drive, but dang Laughery can really move.

 

[hhoene]

This isn't helping our TOP disparity.

 

[BWBW]

Wow!

 

[aaeismacgychel]

More than half of Loyalty could've run 10yds through that hole. Absolutely fantastic blocking. Might have been our best run blocking down this entire season

 

[illiram]

Ok I can breathe a bit better now. Let's go Defense!!!

 

[skyIdub]

Lol...when your opponent drives the ball for 20+ minutes TOP....your defense isn't doing its job.

They are lucky NW has been terrible in the RZ. That's all it is. Our D is getting pushed around.

We need an opening drive of 7+ min of Laughery and McCray and a sprinkle of Valentine.


Edit: maybe "pushed around" is an overreaction. I digress.....they have made plays when they need to, but are giving up way too many 3rd down plays.

Or....you know....a 30 second opening drive of Laughery doing his best cheetah impression.

 

[NashvILLe05]

That kickoff hit a curtain of wind and dropped

 

[pruman91]

TD AL !!!!!!!!!!!!!...................ILLINI LEAD 21-10.................HELLS YEAH.............64 YARD RUN BY LAUGHERY.............................

 

[Oracle21]

Imagine screwing up your knee in the final game of your career that sucks!