I liked this pic from the article. I know he's struggled some this season, but he's determined, calm, and doesn't appear to get rattled or pout. As our O Line continues to improve, and he gains more experience, he's going to be fun to watch.
Caleb Griffin's 43-yard field goal on the final play lifts Illinois over Maryland 27-24
Caleb Griffin kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to give Illinois its first Big Ten victory of the season, a 27-24 upset of Maryland.www.stltoday.com
Illinois 27, Maryland 24 Postgame
Volatility is a nice summary!
As they say, "that's why they play the games."
I also liked Fighter's references to the 1999 win at Michigan. As great as this win over MD was, that '99 win was still the most shocking Illini win I've ever witnessed. I had made a large non-monetary bet on that '99 game as well, so it's an unforgettable one for me.
Anyway, go Illini! I'm hoping for the following scenario:
Win vs Indiana and Northwestern
Win one of: Wisconsin, MN, Iowa
Go Bowling.
blackdog
- Champaign
They did the exact same thing all last year and were not called for it. They are playing how they are coached to play.
We could also flip that idea because Maryland got away with REALLY obvious DPI on the interception and committed a false start in the tying FG.
Season saving game. Now, we've been a disaster for more than a handful of games now, so is us? To me, the biggest development is the we finally found an identity. Run the ball, run the ball and use that run to set up the pass. The razzle dazzle stuff has to go out the window. Line it up and hammer the ball.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Still flying high. I watched the game at BubbleHouse brewing in Lisle yesterday celebrating a bday party. I made a pro move and told the bartender in the Illini sweatshirt that I can't wait to watch our guys get bent over and proceeded to tell the Huskies, Badgers, Hawkeyes, and Huskers fans the same. I was so happy when we won that I missed the reply on the ILL-INI fireworks.
Not bad for a kid just from Danville! Way to go Caleb! When he said his Dad and friends were watching at Turtle Run, it brought back many memories. If you know, you know.
Not bad for a kid just from Danville! Way to go Caleb! When he said his Dad and friends were watching at Turtle Run, it brought back many memories. If you know, you know.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
agree 100%
I have been wanting to see this ever since after our first possession in the Toledo game when we abandoned the script from 2022.
get the ball, pound it down their throats wherever our RB likes to run and can get 3-4 yards per carry
pass when the opportunity is right, but dont count on 300 yards per game, because we will lose 90% of the time we do.
Thrilled we won. I think Brett is terrific and his fingerprints were all over that offense yesterday. But we need to continue to still play better to win these next few games.
Maryland had some dumb penalties and made some mistakes. We still had to keep from making our own mistakes to win. Glad the shoe was on the other foot this weekend.
Maryland had some dumb penalties and made some mistakes. We still had to keep from making our own mistakes to win. Glad the shoe was on the other foot this weekend.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I actually watched the game on my phone from a tree stand. Might have been a dozen bucks go by I never saw 
As to my much ridiculed optimism it really comes from experience. We’ve seen this script before - 2021, 1999 and other years to know that anything can happen in college football. To me the number one problem versus Purdue and Nebraska was a lack of faith in themselves and what they were doing. Yesterday we saw a confident team fight through their own mistakes and win.
Bert knows what he’s doing. Let’s rip off five wins and storm into Indianapolis.
As to my much ridiculed optimism it really comes from experience. We’ve seen this script before - 2021, 1999 and other years to know that anything can happen in college football. To me the number one problem versus Purdue and Nebraska was a lack of faith in themselves and what they were doing. Yesterday we saw a confident team fight through their own mistakes and win.
Bert knows what he’s doing. Let’s rip off five wins and storm into Indianapolis.
I had Md circled as one of our most likely L's (with PState). This shows what we're capable of when we play solid, mistake-free, well-schemed football. And we did this with a lot of guys out.
After the Toledo game, I thought we were going to be pretty good ... next year. But maybe the lightbulb is starting to flicker on a little early.
After the Toledo game, I thought we were going to be pretty good ... next year. But maybe the lightbulb is starting to flicker on a little early.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Thing is we played with mistakes. Just not as many.
Juco transfer is finally practicing, too
hopefully adds some much needed quality depth
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Personal foul called was a blessing in disguise since it reduced the chance for a muffed KO return
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
After the penalty that allowed MD to kick off from the 50, I was wondering why they jacked the ball past the end zone for a touchback. With a short field, if you kick it high and short, you give your guys a chance to pin It deep, or recover a live ball. I‘m sure greater football minds will come up with solid reasons to just boot it away, but, given the result, is It something coaches consider?
But does Ernie know too?Bert knows what he’s doing. Let’s rip off five wins and storm into Indianapolis.
Poetic License taken there. Couldn't think of another quick way to describe it. And I was still delirious with a silly grin on my stunned and joy-filled face that...
When you are trying to build a program from the foundation up... there's lots of trying things. And starts and stops and delays. And then... if you're getting things right... one day it all just CLICKS. Things begin to go flow and come together at a different level. I don't know if yesterday was that Click Moment for the Footballers... but one of these days... it WILL be. And just in time for when the four new football powers join the Big Ten.
It just looked like a different Illini team out there all afternoon. One that was determined not to lose. The kind of team that we need to see lots more of. So we all can have more times of being delirious with silly grins on our joy-filled faces.
Rules allow you to make a fair catch inside the 25 yard line and the ball will be brought out to the 25.
band camp
- STL City
Old Elks lodge?
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
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illini80
- Forgottonia
I dont know a thing other than he’s just been playing poorly, taking bad angles and losing containment. It was mentioned that he was unhappy in the offseason about the lack of NIL recognition, but you’d think if anything that would light a fire under him to prove it wrong and negotiate a good deal this off season.
They gave the money to a transfer and a high school recruit
The whispers have been he didn't get the NIL he wanted and he's letting it affect his game negatively. That said, based on what I've seen out of him I'm seeing a couple major issues:
1. He's really struggling with his gap and contain knowledge and how he's supposed to play in the current system. And this would align with the theory that he's upset and hasn't bought in to the defensive system so hasn't put in the effort learning what his role is.
2. He's lacking finishing fundamentals. He has exploded off the line at times this season and torched his man, but in going for the big play he's overplaying his position and getting burned for it by athletic QBs. As well, his tackling technique and closing needs a lot of work. For as many times as he's gotten in the backfield this year the production is just not there.
3. I think at this point it is fair to question his full game effort level. Based on the eye test, he's the one guy who looks like he's taking some plays off, as whenever he isn't exploding off the line of scrimmage, he practically disappears on the field and I'm not really seeing the 2nd effort.
In any case, that's what I've seen but I'm sure insiders know more. Quite frankly, outside of our OL, Jacas has almost certainly been our most disappointing player this year. He has a TON of potential and he's playing well under it. Really sad seeing it as he was expected to be a big part of our team this year.
Sounds like a guaranteed transfer after the season. Disappointing because he looks like an NFL player when he's focused in