Illinois 24, Virginia 3 Postgame
Griffin is a talented athlete. He went through a period where he practiced as a kicker but also as a wide receiver and punt returner (if memory serves me correctly). Did not totally focusing on kicking distract him and hinder his development?
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Illinois defense dominates in a 24-3 win over Virginia
The Illini defense forced eight three-and-outs and Tommy DeVito threw a pair of touchdown passes.
- By ANDERSON KIMBALL
The Illinois defense showed more evidence of its turnaround, leading the way to a 24-3 win over Virginia on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The unit forced eight three-and-outs that gave the Illini a comfortable win despite four turnovers.
Virginia managed 222 total yards on the afternoon. It had 42 points and 556 yards a season ago.
“For us to be where we are now coming out of this Virginia game compared to last year when we came out of Virginia game, especially defensively, it tells me a lot about where we are as a program,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said.
Pressure was the key for the Illinois defense. Seth Coleman got his first sack, and the Illini’s second, of the season. The edge rush had a bounce-back week and the interior of the line, namely Belleville native Keith Randolph, continued to get pressure and harassed Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong.
Freshman Gabe Jacas added two sacks, while the Illini had six quarterback hurries.
The secondary was able to keep the stable of Cavaliers receivers at bay, with an often-running Armstrong completing 13 of his 32 passes for 180 yards and a pair of interceptions.
Those numbers were a stark difference from a year ago when Armstrong tore the Illini apart for 405 yards and five touchdowns.
Virginia is a godawful team with poor coaching. I think Dabo planted Elliott with UVA to guarantee himself a win every year, kind of like Bo did with Moeller here
illini80
- Forgottonia
I discussed this in more depth a few weeks ago in the game experience thread and I don’t remember all the details without rr-listening, but Kelly and Tate had a former staffer on that talked about how in the 80’s they studied the demographics and something like 80-90% of the attending fans lived within 60 miles and so they marketed hard to those people and went out and did it in person. That’s the short version. We’ve failed miserably on that front imo.
I agree about Elliott as a head coach. That is funny about Dabo.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I've wondered that, that's an interesting statistic.
There are well over a million people in Central Illinois, it's a not insignificant population to draw from, though an aging one.
217sports
- Springfield
Cochrane ruined Kams and most of CU’s nightlife.
I went to the game yesterday and enjoyed it. Winning is fun. I'm not going to worry today about low attendance, too many bungled plays by the offense, annoying penalties, and so forth. The team is off to a decent start, and most of the errors seem correctable with good coaching. There's good reason for hope now - which is nice.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Man, that's horrible.
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
trtl, Texted a copy of your post to the previous owner of KAM’S. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy, and said he’d look into it because “he wasn’t going to let his hard work of thirty years get ruined...” I think every bar in the area as well as every bar in the state should carry Illini football games, and with more success, they will.
chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
Driving from Rockford, our crew went to Grange Grove and the game yesterday, and we all had a fantastic time. The weather was warm, but it was a gorgeous day. After a rough start, Illinois played solid football. It was great to dominate a team who dominated us a year ago. Too bad more fans don’t take advantage of this opportunity to put some fun and long lasting memories in their lives...
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Some friends and I are shooting for maybe Iowa or Minnesota to make a trip down.
And I would imagine I'll be at the Northwestern game as well, I think I've been to every Illini game in Chicago or Evanston for at least the last decade-ish.
And I would imagine I'll be at the Northwestern game as well, I think I've been to every Illini game in Chicago or Evanston for at least the last decade-ish.
DaChief4ever
- Urbana
Winning brings the crowds ( Albert Einstein?)
cuillini
- San Bernardino, Ca.
Personally, I miss the war chant (and the Chief). However, if I never see another "wave" at an athletic event I'll be fine.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
If we beat Chattanooga and can win in Madison, there will be a very big crowd to see a 5-1 Illini team host a very bearable Iowa team!33,369 paid attendance.
Gotta get that number up!
It says more about our division than it does about us, but we could win a lot of the games on our schedule…
Doesn’t a former Illinois football player own/run Kams now? How does showing an Iowa game over an Illinois game even happen if that’s the case?
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Particularly considering it was on an ESPN channel... Complain about their coverage all you want, but a sports bar should have their sports package maxed out, period.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
War chant on 3rd down was always a huge bummer as a student, we want to make noise, not clap along to the band.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
But how could a college bar foresee the local university playing on a channel called ESPNU? What an absolute joke.
Ryan Walters is the best DC of my lifetime. I’m 35.
Other DCs have been good, but their players have also been more highly regarded. Walters is doing this mostly with some guys ranked “also ran”
Other DCs have been good, but their players have also been more highly regarded. Walters is doing this mostly with some guys ranked “also ran”
When played out I like that it (can) crescendos into a loud cheer.
Problem with playing it on 3rd down, especially with hurry up offenses nowadays, is that it has to be rushed to even try and hit that build up. And even then it doesn't really get there.
I loved that the band got warned by the head umpire yesterday because of that loud horn tune (sorry for my lack of music knowledge) they play when the opposing team heads toward the North Endzone. That got Houser fired up. Same thing happened his first year in 2011 when Zook was there.
I agree...it won't be easy...but I think there's a chance with our current staff.
I think the game that took the last ounce of enthusiasm out of our fanbase was the North Carolina game. Large amazing crowd hopeful that Lovie was the answer. Illini made Trubiskie look like Tom Brady and fooled the Bears into trading up to pick him. The day the dream died...uphill ever since. JMO.