As the other reply mentioned, it was hard to tell with the band taking up so much of the section. Without the band, it was probably average for a visiting team in an OOC game in Champaign. Enough that you know they're there, but not so much that you can even say a chunk of the stadium had been taken over (and that really only happens for the nearby Big 10 teams). I'm in the band so I was obviously far as hell from you guys, but the fans themselves didn't seem to make any impact noise-wise. The Band seemed to have a little impact ( or at least they were loud enough that they could), but that will always happen when a band comes to Champaign because we always give them good seats, unlike certain Big 10 schools (namely Michigan and I believe Minnesota). Nice to hear good things about the East Concourse. They did a load of quality-of-life renovations this summer in the East Hall and the Horseshoe concourses, but I've yet to actually see it being in the band.
Illinois 30, Toledo 28 Postgame
My thought process exactly. Except, I don't know Luke's father (I still haven't figured out if it was James Earl Jones or one of those blokes from England) and I don't believe in devine intervention.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
While most will remember the Altmyer to Washington play when looking back on this game (and for good reason), the real play of the game, IMO, was the Scott pick-6. It came right after the deflating Altmyer interception (his only big mistake of the game). If Toledo would have converted a score, it would have been anywhere from 22-7 to 28-7, and I am sure it would have resulted in a mass exodus of fans.
The Illini got a spark from that play and controlled much of the game after that until the roughing the passer play on the late Toledo TD. Then the magical drive happened with the Altmyer to Washington play.
The Illini got a spark from that play and controlled much of the game after that until the roughing the passer play on the late Toledo TD. Then the magical drive happened with the Altmyer to Washington play.
So… what’s the beach house status today?
In retrospect, Jacas’ penalty might have won us the game. Without that, Toledo kicks the field goal to draw within 27-25. From there, we would likely go conservative on the offense, eventually giving the ball back to Toledo for THEM to go down and attempt the game winning field goal.
Our only penalty of the second half was perhaps a “penalty” in name only.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Holy hyperbole. You must have completely the entire 2005, 2017, and 2018 seasons, and large chunks of the early 2020 season. If you need a dose of reality, just check out any gem from the 2005 season (Javon Ringer committed felonies in 2005).
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
The visceral reaction to the line play is because this is the first time in a long time that Illinois couldn't run the ball. 2022 Indiana was awful because they were blocking for Chase but couldn't pass block throughout. Last night was poor run blocking and above average pass blocking. The back-to-back sacks in the second quarter was rough, but until the injuries piled up late in the 4th quarter, Altmyer was getting time.
Agreed. But, I have been watching college and NFL football since the late 60's. I consider myself a "reasonable" evaluator. I know it is only one game. IMHO, Altmeyer has the tools; phyisically, mentally, competitively, leadership wise to be a winner. I am going to wait awhile before getting carried away with predictions for his future. But, I think he will be more important and "successful" for this program than Dave Wilson and Juice Wiliams. From the QB position, there is nobody else I can think of. Alright, I'm ready for the barrage of "you're an idiot"
This is quite the stretch. That was a killer penalty that could cost a game in the future. I would hope after the Maryland and Purdue games in 2021 (with a different OC) that Bielema has learned the danger of going too conservative.
We need to figure out how to move opposing team bands. It was not a problem when block I was on the sidelines and oir band was in the horseshoe. The stadium on tv seemed quiet not sure if it is where the microphones are located but we need to create a home field advantage and there should be one with as many fans that were there.It was hard to tell numbers because they brought the band, which takes up the first 15 rows of section 110. It was fuller than other teams, though. They were not the rowdiest or the loudest section I've witnessed in my years sitting next to the visitors. It was nice to see your fans also struggle with "when do we make noise" vs. "when do we be quiet". I found it funny when there were obvious times Illinois fans should be loud, and Toledo fans should be quiet, Toledo fans seemed louder than ours. It didn't help that the cheerleaders kept holding up "Make Noise" signs at the worst time
At one point, like 5 minutes into the second, your fans started chanting "overrated", which was odd, since we are neither rated, nor was the game close to being finished. I'm glad Illinois won, though, or I'm be afraid the fans would have been insufferable. That touchdown late in the 4th made me so nervous to hear whatever was going to come if we lost.
Not hard to understand when to be loud when the other team has the ball. Get louder when they are pinned deep in their territory and get extremely loud on 3rd downs/4th downs if they go for it
Biggest disappointment of the game by F A R is the performance of Newton. I literally kept rewinding plays during the game to see what he was doing. In short....NOTHING. It's one thing to underperform. It's another to not even try....LITERALLY!. If you don't believe it.....go back and watch the game and focus on him only. He got punked by his brother. Embarrassing! My advice to him - stop doing interviews about the Heisman which you have no chance at and do your job!
AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
The fans in the Horseshoe are especially bad at this. No standing all game until the last drive and hardly any yelling. The comparison between us and a stadium like Michigan's is night and day. They hardly ever sit down at all. I wish our fans were more like Michigan fans sometimes (
eww did I just say that?).
I take offense to this. I haven’t sat for a second of a game (slight hyperbole) in 17 years in the horseshoe. Even when the staff used to tell me I had to sit down, I would tell them I came to cheer. If I wanted to watch, I’d have saved money on tickets and transportation and stayed home.The fans in the Horseshoe are especially bad at this. No standing all game until the last drive and hardly any yelling. The comparison between us and a stadium like Michigan's is night and day. They hardly ever sit down at all. I wish our fans were more like Michigan fans sometimes (
To the point, though, you’re not wrong. It takes a LOT to get most of them standing.
I know Missouri is getting ridiculed for a video they put out showing peaiple how to cheer at games, but I watched it, and honestly, Illinois fans could learn from it too.
The lack of understanding how to do I-L-L I-N-I is one of my biggest pet peeves right now. It died when the student section moved to the endzone. It needs to go back to east/west, not student/non-student.
I wouldn’t call it a stretch. All you have to do is look back to last year’s Michigan and Indiana games to see the exact scenario I described — minus the penalty — play out.
AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
Yeah, it's kinda embarrassing how the PA announcer has to help out the fans for a six letter chant.
Great response. Our first down chant is known to be annoying. And for good reason. Hearing it 28 times will do that to anyone.
Luke's Father is Darth Vader and I'm pretty sure he gave the credit to the Force...
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The only thing I was hearing was the band's first down thing which sounded like a portion of your fight song (hard to tell from the distance), which is pretty standard. If that's what you're referring to, then Big 10 fans should be pretty used to those "mini fight songs" on first down because I'm pretty sure everyone has it in some form.
Ours is still on the annoying side. Not quite Illinois or FSU level. Chants are amazing.
The slow burn was the 28 parts time. UT moved it.
I think the issue is for some reason the Block I leaders aren't pushing for volume as much as they need to be and when the student section doesn't, no one really does because the 400 members of the band can only do so much. Part of the issue is in the first quarter when they should be setting the tone for the game, the leaders were all busy handing out the cards for the card stunts and directing the students on how to do it. I know that's supposed to be Block I's thing and stuff, but it shouldn't come at the expense of cheering which it seemed to do a little bit.
The band thing is a larger conversation. I'm biased as a band member, but imo all stadiums should give the bands good seats. There are a few reasons for that that vary from being good hosts, keeping them away from cheaper seats and therefore the less pleasant fans, as well as being better logistically for halftime. I'd rather us be in the group of schools doing it right instead of like Michigan or Minnesota and putting them in the most inconvenient spot of the stadium. The SEC actually has a rule requiring that visiting bands be given 100-level seats which is something that should be standard. If we're convinced that giving visiting bands good seats is part of our environmental issues, we'll never have a good environment. 2 of the greatest environments in the country, Ohio State and Penn State, both put visiting bands in the 100 level. Also, if we treat visiting bands well, it puts us in a better position to call out when other schools treat MI poorly on road trips. Moral high ground is always good to have.
I’m convinced that we are at a point where a strong minority (if not approaching a majority) of Illinois fans at the games are either not fans of football or have no connection/interest in the university. That comes from years of inconsistency, getting hopes up for a year only to have them be dashed, and neglecting the program in general. It will take some good seasons to build those future fans that will know the traditions of the school, but for now it’s just kind of sad. That’s especially true during the Alma Mater, which has not sounded as great as it used to for some time. Win, and they will come.