Game Thread: Illinois vs Western Kentucky

[DonIllini]

Defense wins game!!!

 

[SuperMetroid]

D is playing inspired tonight!

 

[Adnarel]

This got really messy really quick.

 

[RichardKeenesHair]

Obviously, you've never played WR in college. Stop hitting guys in the head. Period. Until then, it's a necessary rule.

Making a rule is not going to stop that type of play. It's a reaction play by a linebacker ot defensive back. Targeting should be for intentional hits to the head that are unnecessary. Watson had no intention to headhunt the guy or hit his head - the receiver lowered his head and Watson hit him across the middle. And yes, I've played plenty of football at a high level

 

[Trakis]

the last 2 minutes of this half have been just straight wacky.

 

[Adnarel]

Can this half just please stop already?

 

[Illininer]

What are we doing? Run the clock

 

[DonIllini]

Please end the half quickly

 

[illinidarrin]

Just take a freaken knee!!!!!

 

[icengineer]

Our punter has looked pretty bad this game.

 

[IlliniMed]

[/LEFT][/LEFT]

Our punter has looked pretty bad this game.

He had a great punt before

 

[Adnarel]

Our punter has looked pretty bad this game.

I dunno about that. He punted it into the corner by the endzone that set up our pick six.

 

[RichardKeenesHair]

Great half by the defense - really, really encouraging going forward

 

[champaignchris]

This half was pretty much the template for how this team can win games this year.

 

[Idkhti37]

Making a rule is not going to stop that type of play. It's a reaction play by a linebacker ot defensive back. Targeting should be for intentional hits to the head that are unnecessary. Watson had no intention to headhunt the guy or hit his head - the receiver lowered his head and Watson hit him across the middle. And yes, I've played plenty of football at a high level

You've got to change the tackler's "targeted area" and you've got to create a meaningful deterrent. I have no problem with the rule. (says a former WR)

 

[IlliniMed]

So watson is only out for the next half and not next game correct?

 

[Wokker]

We got some lucky bounces and missed some opportunities. Therefore we are...right where we should be?

Shocking to say that, considering we're up 13-0.

 

[icengineer]

[/LEFT][/LEFT]


He had a great punt before

I dunno about that. He punted it into the corner by the endzone that set up our pick six.

Okay, let me rephrase that. Our punter hasn't shown the leg he's been touted for. Granted the corner punt was from inside the 40 so distance isn't an issue.

 

[BZuppke]

So watson is only out for the next half and not next game correct?

Correct

 

[Wokker]

So watson is only out for the next half and not next game correct?

Correct. We're actually somewhat lucky that this happened right before the half. From the NCAA:

If the foul occurs in the first half of a game, the player is ejected for the remainder of the game. If the foul occurs in the second half or overtime of a game, the player is ejected for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next contest.

 

[TownieMatt]

That was the longest half of football I think I've ever watched.

 

[RichardKeenesHair]

You've got to change the tackler's "targeted area" and you've got to create a meaningful deterrent. I have no problem with the rule. (says a former WR)

The thing about deterrence is that the potential offender has to be able to make a choice to change his bahavior. If you watch that play again, it happens so fast there is absolutely no way Watson could have hit the receiver any other way. He certainly wan't trying to hit the guy in the head or make a dangerous play. I mean, do you really think Watson was headhunting there? It was an instinct play. So what have you deterred? It's just a random call that's bad luck

 

[TownieMatt]

The thing about deterrence is that the potential offender has to be able to make a choice to change his bahavior. If you watch that play again, it happens so fast there is absolutely no way Watson could have hit the receiver any other way. He certainly wan't trying to hit the guy in the head or make a dangerous play. I mean, do you really think Watson was headhunting there? It was an instinct play. So what have you deterred? It's just a random call that's bad luck

Agree. There has to be a recognition that the player has no opportunity to avoid that contact. Especially when the offensive player lowers their head at the last moment, which is exactly what happened with Watson.

 

[Bluewave38]

Defense wins games! Crouch has only played two collegiate games. He will get better as the season progresses.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

The thing about deterrence is that the potential offender has to be able to make a choice to change his bahavior. If you watch that play again, it happens so fast there is absolutely no way Watson could have hit the receiver any other way. He certainly wan't trying to hit the guy in the head or make a dangerous play. I mean, do you really think Watson was headhunting there? It was an instinct play. So what have you deterred? It's just a random call that's bad luck

That's the problem with this call - the receiver is a moving target - if he had still been high the hit would have been right on the ball - which is what the players are taught - dislodge the ball on the hit. Seems like he was getting lower due to ducking just before the hit.