Which got corrected -- after which the OL played great and kept Luke's jersey clean . . . especially that redshirt FR LT! (He was 4th string on the depth chart but played because J.C. Davis sat out and the 2nd and 3rd string Tackles were injured.)
Illinois 30, Tennessee 28 Postgame
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On Reddit a Tennessee fan wrote: "Just like Tennessee to go out and score the losing touchdown!" Made me LOL
Road graders upfront did their jobs with Luke, Laugherty and Valentine slipping through the holes and skirting around the edges.
Luke has some Brock Purdy in him. Can't wait to see what he does next.
Big Ten is 6-0 in bowls this year, SEC is 2-5. Big Ten is 6-1 head to head in bowl games the past 2 seasons (so far). The South hasn't been down this bad since Sherman marched to the sea.
And for Lunney to resist the urge to throw and, instead, run the damn ball!
skamin7
- Wellington, FL
It was a hell of a team effort. I was at the Florida/Tennessee game earlier this year and I could see then that our Illini had a hell of a lot more heart then this team. The Vols might have a lot of talented individuals, but none of that translates into a good team and that showed in Nashville. I was at the Citrus bowl and I thought that was our best team, but now after watching last night, I see a coach who can continue to improve his players year after year. That is not an easy task in today's NIL marketplace. I sure as hell would want to send my kids to get whatever secret sauce he is giving out.
OL played well tonight, after their opening drive jitters in which they committed 4 false starts. They controlled the LOS, keeping Luke's jersey clean and opening the creases for 220+ yards rushing.
Overall, the OL was decent this year. Not all he sacks are on the OL. TE's and RB's missing blocks caused more than a few QB hurries and sacks. And Luke did have a tendency to hold the ball too long during his tenure.
You said it, the Illini have a football PROGRAM now.
It would be nice -- and Illinois better rank ahead of 9-4 USC, which lost to TCU.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Just a general PSA, but because of the football program we have now, you can just watch our team succeed and have *that* be your primary source of energy from the game - not real or imagined slights from ESPN.
I know, it’ll take some time to adjust, but we can work through it together.
I know, it’ll take some time to adjust, but we can work through it together.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
One of their linemen on ST pushed Olano after an extra point. Never seen anything like that.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
I thought the announcers were just fine, until I read the game thread and realized I was delusional.
getting drafted will be tough
needs to hope a team really wants him as a really preferred UFA
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
Yeah, I switched to the radio feed about five minutes into the game. Brings back memories of living in Illinois and listening to the ag commercials . . .I thought the announcers were just fine, until I read the game thread and realized I was delusional.
"Lorsban, the root worm insecticide that controls cutworms too!"
Redshirt Frosh Knapik played well. OL wasn't just missing Davis, two other tackles were missing to injury. Knapik had to step up -- next man up. Coaches got him prepped and ready to go.
As for the portal, Illinois already has a couple JUCO OLs coming in to compete for playing time/starting positions next year. Like it or not, the PORTAL is the name of the game in the current Wild, Wild West of the NIL era. You get two years to see if a player will see the field--after that, either he leaves of his own accord or the team out "recruits" him in the portal. That is just how things work now.
Unfortunately, no position group is hurt more by this modern phenomenon than the OL, which has traditionally been one where most (not all) players are developed--both technically and physically (in the weight room) for 2-4 years (counting redshirt) before seeing major playing time. Those days are gone.
they were VERY pro TennesseeI thought the announcers were just fine, until I read the game thread and realized I was delusional.
I say this in jest , but it is too late for Feagin to convert to Linebacker?I think Valentine is in for a huge year. He got hurt against OSU (looked gruesome), and very clearly his stats plunged afterward (especially YPC):
Ca'Lil Valentine 2025 Stats per Game - NCAAF - ESPN
The 2025 NCAAF season stats per game for Ca'Lil Valentine of the Illinois Fighting Illini on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.www.espn.com
Today with 93 yards, 28 after catch, and an astounding 8.1 YPC.
band camp
- STL City
Love this.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
1. Bret Bielema CAN coach. No doubt. But the OL is coached by Bart Miller. Bart Miller got a Redshirt Freshman, buried in the depth chart, ready to play a great game at LT.
2. As for the OL play this year, I'll say it over-and-over--> more than a few QB hurries and sacks this past year are on the TEs and RBs, who have pass-pro responsibilities. That is NOT all on the OL. Plus, for all of Luke's great play, the knock on him is that he tended to hold the ball too long at times. That can also lead to QB hurries and sacks.
3. Defense played great. Defensive score was key, and it offset the UT special team's score. Arguably, the difference in the game is that Illinois' offense scored 23 points, while UT's offense scored only 21. Slice the pie any way you like, this was a TEAM WIN. Go Illini!
4. OC Lunney resisted the urge (most of the time) to pass when the run game was clicking. The Illini OL controlled the LOS for the most part. No, they didn't dominate UT every play, but they controlled the LOS, and the RBs hit the holes, found the creases and skirted the edges--along with Luke--to the tune of 220+ yards. Awesome.
5. Hope Luke gets a chance to play in the NFL.
6. AGREED! Game ball all around!
I only perused about a page and half. It's funny how many of them are blaming the 1H missed FG. ANd how little respect some had for Illinois. There were some reasonable posts, clearly the true football fans, that had realistic perspective. Such as one that stated if Illinois needed a TD to win, they would have. Also, a poster or 2 that knew the KO return left too much time for Illinois.If anyone needs a laugh, go read the Tennessee message boards. Hopefully makes everyone feel great about Bielema and where we are at.
The Official Tennessee vs. Illinois, Music City Bowl Game Thread, 5:30 PM ET, ESPN
All of yall complaining…go get Dooley, Butch, and Pruitt back…we were better then.www.volnation.com
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