Illinois 30, Tennessee 28 Postgame
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their linebacker pile drived one of our players in the 2nd half, should have been ejected
Mike White coached Illinois from 1980 through 1987. In 1980 we had a losing record but the team was sharply improved from the Moeller teams. Illinois was banned from going to a bowl in 1981 even though we finished 7-4 (very tough schedule), in 1982 we lost to a close game to 'Bama in Liberty Bowl and in the 1983 season (January 2, 1984 Rose Bowl) we crapped in our pants and got blown out by 7-3-1 UCLA team. In 1984 we were banned again from going to a bowl even though we were 7-4 that year and exactly 40 years ago today we lost to Army and finished 6-5-1 for the 1985 season. How did we lose to Army? In 1985 we beat a very good Ohio State team, tied a great Michigan team (a team that finished second in the final AP poll and probably Bo Shembechler's best team) and lost 59-0 to a very good Iowa team. Strange year. Mike White's last two years were not good. I believe recruiting sanctions hurt the Illini in the 1986 & 1987 seasons. White had Illinois ready to roll again for the 1988 season with quarterback Jeff George but the school fired him. I thought it was big mistake to fire White. He was only around 50 years old and could have easily coached another 15 years.
this moment may have been my favorite for the announcers. they spent like 30 seconds talking about how Tennessee should let Illinois score,
the whole time I'm thinking "yeah, our coach is not an idiot. there's no way we're scoring a touchdown here"
that ranked just above their brain freeze of trying to process us getting a time out back with the review of the spot on that drive. they were not at peak mental capacity
maybe he is "Trent" special, or Ayo?
last comment, i love that TN took a swipe at Lopati. I guess their sell is now, look we need better quarterback play?
we beat them, essentially at home, with a quarterback from the south who chose to stay with our program when Tennessee previously tried to poach him? we'll see what happens, but this feels like a best case scenario for our recruitment of him
we beat them, essentially at home, with a quarterback from the south who chose to stay with our program when Tennessee previously tried to poach him? we'll see what happens, but this feels like a best case scenario for our recruitment of him
He has a online persona that's pretty funny. How he is as a real person I couldn't say.
IlliniCardinal
- Minneapolis
The Divine Gift of Orange: Why Illinois Shines Brighter Than Tennessee
When the universe was young and the canvas of creation lay bare, God pondered how to paint the world with colors that would inspire greatness. Among His most brilliant strokes was the color orange—a hue of energy, warmth, and undeniable brilliance. But this wasn’t just any orange; it was destined for something extraordinary.
As He surveyed the future halls of learning, God’s heart was drawn to the University of Illinois. The Illini spirit radiated with promise: innovation, resilience, and pride. So, with divine precision, He poured His brightest, most beautiful orange upon Illinois—a color so vibrant it could ignite the soul of every student and fan. This wasn’t just pigment; it was purpose. It was passion. It was perfection.
And then… came Tennessee.
By the time God turned His gaze toward the Volunteers, His palette was nearly empty. The glorious orange He had lavished upon Illinois had left only remnants—faded, pale, and lacking the brilliance of its predecessor. Tennessee received an afterthought, a shadow of the original vision. Their orange, bless its heart, would never rival the Illini’s radiant glow. It was a reminder that timing is everything—and that God truly loves the University of Illinois.
So next time you see that bold Illini orange blazing across Memorial Stadium or illuminating the State Farm Center, remember: it’s not just a color. It’s a divine declaration that Illinois was, and always will be, God’s favorite shade of brilliance.
When the universe was young and the canvas of creation lay bare, God pondered how to paint the world with colors that would inspire greatness. Among His most brilliant strokes was the color orange—a hue of energy, warmth, and undeniable brilliance. But this wasn’t just any orange; it was destined for something extraordinary.
As He surveyed the future halls of learning, God’s heart was drawn to the University of Illinois. The Illini spirit radiated with promise: innovation, resilience, and pride. So, with divine precision, He poured His brightest, most beautiful orange upon Illinois—a color so vibrant it could ignite the soul of every student and fan. This wasn’t just pigment; it was purpose. It was passion. It was perfection.
And then… came Tennessee.
By the time God turned His gaze toward the Volunteers, His palette was nearly empty. The glorious orange He had lavished upon Illinois had left only remnants—faded, pale, and lacking the brilliance of its predecessor. Tennessee received an afterthought, a shadow of the original vision. Their orange, bless its heart, would never rival the Illini’s radiant glow. It was a reminder that timing is everything—and that God truly loves the University of Illinois.
So next time you see that bold Illini orange blazing across Memorial Stadium or illuminating the State Farm Center, remember: it’s not just a color. It’s a divine declaration that Illinois was, and always will be, God’s favorite shade of brilliance.
Illinois did call timeout. They were able to get the play officially reviewed which then is considered an officials timeout. Illinois then got their timeout back.
That Feagin 3rd & 1 — just a pure “I’m bigger and stronger than you” play. That pocket collapsed before the line of scrimmage.
And Duke won so we beat two 9 win teams this year
I re-watched the game on ESPN.com and it's amazing how, knowing we won, the announcers were much less annoying. LOLI thought the announcers were just fine, until I read the game thread and realized I was delusional.
Congratulations players & coaches of this Fighting Illini football team on a great season!!!
Yep, Johnny Unitas Jr. LOL
To be fair... any honest College football fan has to respect what the SEC has been for many years. Great players, intense rivalries. State pride. OK, so there’s that.
BUT... the Portal and NIL have changed the landscape forever. Lots of programs now can get real good real fast like a certain nearby program more famous for the round ball.
SEC has had its day to rule the roost. They cannot complain about the kind of history they’ve lived and the great success they’ve had. Way better than most. But things change – and things needed to change.
Enough of this ‘programs of privilege’ stuff where just a handful of football teams (or leagues) always dominate college football (and basketball) year after year. It was time to open things up to lots more programs and their fans. And that has happened.
College Sports got way more interesting for lots more people now. And the Illini are well-positioned to excel in this new environment.
And a State like Tennessee... so close in miles to C-U and yet not a traditional rival. This would make a great new rivalry in the future. This bowl game was a great way to set the table.
SEC fans will have to adjust to the new ways of doing things. And they will – in some decade.
That's true across all of college sports. The Bluebloods no longer have an "under the table" advantage.
*Doesn't include any officiating advantage*
Agree there is a lot to be envious of in the SEC: the rabid fans, the packed houses, the huge number of non-alum fans. Even the historical bottom feeders have that. They don’t have a Rutgers, Northwestern, Maryland and until recently Illinois and Indiana with half empty stadiums.
The cultural part of it all is pretty special. Translating that to overwhelmingly better teams always is the problem.
I think from 1946 until 1975 only 1 Big Ten team could play in a bowl game....made it kinda tough to win back to back unless it was in Rose Bowl.
Living in Louisville the northern tip of SEC country except for Mizzery. We UKy here. As bad as they have been they still will get 65,000 on a Saturday. I wish we would get Ky as a home n home.
All's well that ends well. Happy New Year!
Plus a 10 win team - Western Michigan ended up 10-4.
Plus he had an excellent lead block on a designed QB run. There's definitely a spot for him in the RB rotation.
I still want to know how Bret arranged that run-back touchdown. The man is a wizard.
And btw, even before the kick when texting with a friend I said—and have documented evidence—we need to have Tennessee score really soon. And then Tennessee score while taking only seconds off the clock. Obviously Bret was thinking just like me.
And btw, even before the kick when texting with a friend I said—and have documented evidence—we need to have Tennessee score really soon. And then Tennessee score while taking only seconds off the clock. Obviously Bret was thinking just like me.
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