Illini Football 2016

#351      

IlliniInOK

IlliniInOK
no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
IlliniInOK
I know the program has been unstable previously, but does it seem to anyone else that that's kind of a low blow to make that kind of comment on your way out? I mean, I think we're pretty darn stable for the next couple of years with Lovie and crew.
 
#353      

ILL_INI

ILL_INI
ILL_INI
IlliniInOK said:
I know the program has been unstable previously, but does it seem to anyone else that that's kind of a low blow to make that kind of comment on your way out? I mean, I think we're pretty darn stable for the next couple of years with Lovie and crew.
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Don't read just the headlines.

“I love that Josh Whitman brought in Coach Lovie,” Powell said, “I feel like the turnaround is going to be a big one at Illinois, but I feel like it wouldn’t be for another 2-3 years. At this point in my career, I just feel like I need a fresh start.”

News Gazette
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#355      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
Initial jersey numbers for the #Illini newcomers!
Roster: http://www.fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?path=football

CllsxvhWYAACC0Z.jpg
 
#359      

IlliniBrave75

IlliniBrave75
IlliniBrave75
Jeremy Werner‏@JWernerScout3h3 hours ago
#illini @BigSmoot_91 ranks 20th Yes, he's thought of that highly, Illini fans. My feature: http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1681270-smoot-my-goal-is-all-american…https://twitter.com/PFF/status/747453047983472640…

20. Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois

Smoot had a dominant run through the Big Ten, finishing the season with eight sacks, seven QB hits, and 45 hurries on 349 hurries on his way to the eighth-best pass rush grade in the country. He beat offensive tackles to the outside at the fourth-highest rate in the country and complemented it with an ability to get inside and bullrush at a healthy rate as well. Smoot’s best game came against Ohio State as he notched 10 total pressures on only 28 rushes, all part of a second-half run that saw him post the top pass-rushing grade in the nation from Week 6 through the end of the regular season. Against the run, Smoot can do a better job at recognizing concepts, but overall he played well to finish at a respectable +8.0.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/co...ocial&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=nfl
 
#361      

Ransom Stoddard

Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Ransom Stoddard
IrishIllini said:
How do you guys think we'll do on attendance this year? Any sellouts?

:chief::shield:
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There were a lot of season tickets sold after the Lovie hire, so I'm going to guess that the early season games may be up from last year, but if the wins aren't coming attendance may taper off despite the Lovie factor.

On the other hand, I could see that 10/29 Homecoming game as close to a sellout if the record is tracking toward bowl-eligible (I'd put us with a record of 3-4 going into that game however). It may also depend on the deals that the DIA puts together as the season moves along.
 
#362      

IrishIllini

I
IrishIllini
Ransom Stoddard said:
There were a lot of season tickets sold after the Lovie hire, so I'm going to guess that the early season games may be up from last year, but if the wins aren't coming attendance may taper off despite the Lovie factor.

On the other hand, I could see that 10/29 Homecoming game as close to a sellout if the record is tracking toward bowl-eligible (I'd put us with a record of 3-4 going into that game however). It may also depend on the deals that the DIA puts together as the season moves along.
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I think we could be 4-3 for HC. Maybe 5-2 if we pull an upset against UNC :D

I think attendance is near a FH for NC game.
 
#364      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
ties will be resolved
Joel Goodson
chief2007 said:
I don't see anything close to a sellout. The biggest crowds last year are when Ohio State and Nebraska fans bought half the tickets.
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+1 Have to walk before we run. Apologies for stating the obvious. That said, looking forward to a good uptick in attendance.
 
#365      

Doak1960

D
Doak1960
Paper said today 1000 new first time season ticket holders. Season ticket sales up 4000. Memorial was less than half full for 4 games. 41000 avg.
 
#366      

riffraff

riffraff
Peoria
riffraff
I still recall fondly the sellouts with 75,000 in the 80s with a winning team and a Greek system that bought big blocks of season tickets. Now even a sellout is only, what, 60,000? So, when we are winning again fewer can experience the joy in person until they overhaul and expand the horseshoe.


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#367      

Deleted member 533939

D
Guest
Deleted member 533939
riffraff said:
I still recall fondly the sellouts with 75,000 in the 80s with a winning team and a Greek system that bought big blocks of season tickets. Now even a sellout is only, what, 60,000? So, when we are winning again fewer can experience the joy in person until they overhaul and expand the horseshoe.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Why would they expand the horseshoe? They aren't selling out already, and let's face it, football is better on TV.
 
#369      

IrishIllini

I
IrishIllini
riffraff said:
When we are winning and seats are hard to come by again. Not before.
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Yeah...we shouldn't even be talking about expanding the horseshoe until we're regularly selling out...probably going to take close to a decade of consistently well-performing Illini FB before we even talk of that, lol.

:chief::shield:
 
#371      

hermie1985

H
hermie1985
IrishIllini said:
Yeah...we shouldn't even be talking about expanding the horseshoe until we're regularly selling out...probably going to take close to a decade of consistently well-performing Illini FB before we even talk of that, lol.

:chief::shield:
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White came here in 1980. Sell outs occurred at least by the '83 Rose Bowl season. I'm thinking the Pitt game featuring Marino and Eason was '82. Not sure. Hard to duplicate that kind of turn around but I can't think of a better place to be on a Saturday in the fall when the Illini are competitive.
 
#372      

Deleted member 29907

D
Guest
Deleted member 29907
Chief86 said:
Why would they expand the horseshoe? They aren't selling out already, and let's face it, football is better on TV.
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Its really not in the right venue or with the right team. VaTech games are awesome to attend.
 
#373      

IrishIllini

I
IrishIllini
VAIllini35 said:
Its really not in the right venue or with the right team. VaTech games are awesome to attend.
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I agree. I don't mind watching the Illini on TV; it's certainly easier. I still prefer attending games at Memorial Stadium though. A good crowd and competitive Illini FB team is a nice way to spend a Saturday in the fall IMO.

:chief::shield:
 
#374      

ilphotog

ilphotog
The camera never lies
Champaign
ilphotog
A couple construction updates around the stadium. They are currently installing sidewalks outside of Grange Grove. They will be along the West side, from Kirby to Peabody. Will make it easier to access the Grove. Also 4rth street from Kirby/Florida down to St. Marys road is being completely rebuilt, with sidewalks being installed on the East side. This should help with pedestrian traffic.
 
#375      

Poe's Law

P
Poe's Law
hermie1985 said:
White came here in 1980. Sell outs occurred at least by the '83 Rose Bowl season. I'm thinking the Pitt game featuring Marino and Eason was '82. Not sure. Hard to duplicate that kind of turn around but I can't think of a better place to be on a Saturday in the fall when the Illini are competitive.
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We sold out 4 of 6 home games in 2008 after the Zook Rose Bowl Season, and that was at 62,870 capacity and a team that went 5-7.

I don't think we see any sell outs this season. Best chance would be Minnesota on Homecoming if they get really promotional. Plenty of people want to jump on the bandwagon so discount tickets to get them to come back for a look. Maybe Iowa with an influx of Hawkeye fans, but last game in November isn't likely to sell a lot of tickets up front on account of weather concerns.