Illinois 31, Kent State 24 POSTGAME

ritster said:

Been coming to games as a season ticket holder since 1982 and that was the worst half of football I have every witnessed at any level in my life. And yes, I booed them off the field. I am a Realtor, if I gave that performance in the first half of a listing agreement I would be fired. At some point the kids and coaches need to understand we as fans have a level of expectation and we are sick and tired of the decades of losing.

Click to expand...

chiefini said:

So I just witnessed a group of gusty Fighting Illini win today, starting my 34th straight year of season football tickets. I read the entire game thread. I’m not sure how many of you ever attend games, but I’m astonished at many of your in-game posts. I predicted at halftime that we’d comeback and win. Oh, ye, of little faith. The bi*#@ing and moaning was beyond obnoxious. How about instead of being such negative “fans,” you put your money where your mouth is, go to a game, and cheer on these kids and coaches who are busting their butts. Stop your darn booing. The Mikey Dudek’s, Nick Allegretti’s, Austin Robert’s, Dre Brown’s on this team, who have faced adversity, who have fought back through numerous injuries, who are juniors or seniors, who have remained loyal, and who have been through three different head coaches and staffs, deserve better. Give this team, Lovie, and his coaches a chance. I’m calling you all out, IL. Buy a ticket, go to an effing game, and cheer our kids on. There, I said it. Ban me if you must, Dan.

Click to expand...

Second and Chalmers said:

- Aren't Epstein and Corbin way, way better than Bonner? What am I missing here? Again, play your best guys.

Click to expand...

Second and Chalmers said:

A few thoughts

- Thank God we won. There's having a fight with your spouse, and then there's saying something that you can't take back. Kansas is Googling for divorce lawyers this morning and we aren't. Something to be thankful for.

- The offensive tempo increased in the second half and KSU couldn't handle it at all. That's no coincidence, that's part of the design of the offense. Shortening defensive calls, limiting substitutions, putting aerobic stress on the defensive line, this stuff is as much a part of what Rod Smith is bringing as formations and blocking schemes. Let's hope that wasn't just a desperation move and we're actually committed to it, because spread tempo teams that are too scared to wear out their defense to actually go fast are often some of the very worst college football teams and that was us in the first half.

- We played more true freshmen than expected, once again. The injuries and suspensions played a role in that of course, but there comes a point where the better thing to show recruits is that you're a good football team, rather than a football team that stubbornly plays all of its freshmen.

- Donnie Abraham quits a week before the season, you hire the coach's unqualified kid, and then the secondary plays like that? Not great, Bob. I'm just gonna put a pin in that for now and hope things look radically different with Hobbs and Williams back. They'd better.

- It's nice when you have moments that are exactly the way you would have dreamed them the day Lovie was hired in March 2016. An inherited pint-sized two-star like Jake Hansen going full on Lance Briggs out there is one of those things. What a performance.

- AJ Bush is a galvanizing personality and a leader and that's something we haven't had at QB since Scheelhaase. He had a terrible case of happy feet in the first half, but settled down nicely. Running himself into trouble will probably be a recurring concern for him, but holy cow do we have more in that position than last year.

- Aren't Epstein and Corbin way, way better than Bonner? What am I missing here? Again, play your best guys.

- Robert from Illiniboard is dead right about the running a play when we could have kneeled it out thing.

- The long and the short of it on the field is that we're definitely losing any of our final 10 games with a performance like that and very possibly our next one as well. It has to get better. Personnel reinforcements can go a long way, but that's not all of it.

- To the questions about booing, as I've said before, the loudest voices in Memorial Stadium yesterday were the empty seats. Lovie has time but he doesn't have forever, and the worm is going to turn in a public way this season if we're garbage again. We know what hot seat recruiting looks like, let's not go down that path.

- I liked the unis more than I thought I would. The throwbackyness is much more evident in a game context. Obviously everything about the helmet decal continues to be a disaster. A modest proposal: just take them off entirely. That's even more of a throwback look.

- Speaking of uniforms, I am blind now because my eyes rolled completely out of my head when I saw that the decals on the front of the Kent State helmets had the area codes where each player was from. Just trying the absolute hardest in the world, and what's worse is the instant I saw it I knew it would spread like wildfire. Every group of five school will be doing that in three years, and probably a few thirsty-as-hell Power Five schools too. Please, please not us. And I hate the blown up oversize logo KSU was doing too. That's another solution to the modern helmet problem, and a bad one.

Click to expand...

VAIllini35 said:

Is there anyone in the athletic department in charge of game time hype? Seriously. Watching this on TV (too far a commute to go to the games ) I get NO sense of crowd involvement. I've said this before, and of course their team has been much better over the last 10 years, but I'll use VaTech as an example. Enter Sandman, the music during the games, scoreboard stories/games, Treadmill Horse (google it if you're not familiar), all create a sense of wanting to be at the game. We need a creative smart-guy (doesn't have to be a genius) to create a good game time experience. Maybe its happening to some extent, but via tv its not evident.

Click to expand...

VAIllini35 said:

Is there anyone in the athletic department in charge of game time hype? Seriously. Watching this on TV (too far a commute to go to the games ) I get NO sense of crowd involvement. I've said this before, and of course their team has been much better over the last 10 years, but I'll use VaTech as an example. Enter Sandman, the music during the games, scoreboard stories/games, Treadmill Horse (google it if you're not familiar), all create a sense of wanting to be at the game. We need a creative smart-guy (doesn't have to be a genius) to create a good game time experience. Maybe its happening to some extent, but via tv its not evident.

Click to expand...

Second and Chalmers said:

A few thoughts

- Thank God we won. There's having a fight with your spouse, and then there's saying something that you can't take back. Kansas is Googling for divorce lawyers this morning and we aren't. Something to be thankful for.

- The offensive tempo increased in the second half and KSU couldn't handle it at all. That's no coincidence, that's part of the design of the offense. Shortening defensive calls, limiting substitutions, putting aerobic stress on the defensive line, this stuff is as much a part of what Rod Smith is bringing as formations and blocking schemes. Let's hope that wasn't just a desperation move and we're actually committed to it, because spread tempo teams that are too scared to wear out their defense to actually go fast are often some of the very worst college football teams and that was us in the first half.

- We played more true freshmen than expected, once again. The injuries and suspensions played a role in that of course, but there comes a point where the better thing to show recruits is that you're a good football team, rather than a football team that stubbornly plays all of its freshmen.

- Donnie Abraham quits a week before the season, you hire the coach's unqualified kid, and then the secondary plays like that? Not great, Bob. I'm just gonna put a pin in that for now and hope things look radically different with Hobbs and Williams back. They'd better.

- It's nice when you have moments that are exactly the way you would have dreamed them the day Lovie was hired in March 2016. An inherited pint-sized two-star like Jake Hansen going full on Lance Briggs out there is one of those things. What a performance.

- AJ Bush is a galvanizing personality and a leader and that's something we haven't had at QB since Scheelhaase. He had a terrible case of happy feet in the first half, but settled down nicely. Running himself into trouble will probably be a recurring concern for him, but holy cow do we have more in that position than last year.

- Aren't Epstein and Corbin way, way better than Bonner? What am I missing here? Again, play your best guys.

- Robert from Illiniboard is dead right about the running a play when we could have kneeled it out thing.

- The long and the short of it on the field is that we're definitely losing any of our final 10 games with a performance like that and very possibly our next one as well. It has to get better. Personnel reinforcements can go a long way, but that's not all of it.

- To the questions about booing, as I've said before, the loudest voices in Memorial Stadium yesterday were the empty seats. Lovie has time but he doesn't have forever, and the worm is going to turn in a public way this season if we're garbage again. We know what hot seat recruiting looks like, let's not go down that path.

- I liked the unis more than I thought I would. The throwbackyness is much more evident in a game context. Obviously everything about the helmet decal continues to be a disaster. A modest proposal: just take them off entirely. That's even more of a throwback look.

- Speaking of uniforms, I am blind now because my eyes rolled completely out of my head when I saw that the decals on the front of the Kent State helmets had the area codes where each player was from. Just trying the absolute hardest in the world, and what's worse is the instant I saw it I knew it would spread like wildfire. Every group of five school will be doing that in three years, and probably a few thirsty-as-hell Power Five schools too. Please, please not us. And I hate the blown up oversize logo KSU was doing too. That's another solution to the modern helmet problem, and a bad one.

Click to expand...

MadSeason said:

I think we should also give some credit where it is due. Kent St. came in with a good game plan and Woody Barrett is a ton. He put some throws where defenders couldn't do anything about them and his receivers made some plays. The one ruled out of bounds was an absolute perfect pitch and catch and I thought it was a TD. Obviously the guy is also a load running the ball and runs the read option very well.

All concerns about this team are valid going forward, but I believe Kent St. is a better team than last year, particularly with Barrett. I think you'll see them significantly better than the 124 F/+ they posted last year.

Click to expand...

oleoleahy51 said:

If you want to see good photos of Illini uniforms go to thechampaignroom.com ,Top 10 Illinois uniforms.

Butkus era came in second. Classic, but maybe a little plain for some. Interesting, the pants are kind of yellowy orange, as I remember them. I'm not crazy about this season's model. Yes, they're retro, but the orange is way too orange for me.

I've seen the Butkus helmet before, but does anybody know what the four stars stand for? INTS, sacks?

His helmet had one navy blue stripe between two white ones. Nice.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

oleoleahy51 said:

If you want to see good photos of Illini uniforms go to thechampaignroom.com ,Top 10 Illinois uniforms.

Butkus era came in second. Classic, but maybe a little plain for some. Interesting, the pants are kind of yellowy orange, as I remember them. I'm not crazy about this season's model. Yes, they're retro, but the orange is way too orange for me.

I've seen the Butkus helmet before, but does anybody know what the four stars stand for? INTS, sacks?

His helmet had one navy blue stripe between two white ones. Nice.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

SycIllini said:

Only watched the very beginning so far and had to follow the rest on my phone but, think the game goes a different direction if Smalling catches that first pass for a touchdown. Would have set a different tone right from the start. Unfortunately right through his hands... not sure it could have been thrown any better.

Click to expand...

VAIllini35 said:

Is there anyone in the athletic department in charge of game time hype? Seriously. Watching this on TV (too far a commute to go to the games ) I get NO sense of crowd involvement. I've said this before, and of course their team has been much better over the last 10 years, but I'll use VaTech as an example. Enter Sandman, the music during the games, scoreboard stories/games, Treadmill Horse (google it if you're not familiar), all create a sense of wanting to be at the game. We need a creative smart-guy (doesn't have to be a genius) to create a good game time experience. Maybe its happening to some extent, but via tv its not evident.

Click to expand...

BRucks said:

Can't tell you how many times the band was playing, there was canned music playing on the P.A. system and the announcer was trying to speak - all at the same time.

Click to expand...

chiefini said:

So I just witnessed a group of gusty Fighting Illini win today, starting my 34th straight year of season football tickets. I read the entire game thread. I’m not sure how many of you ever attend games, but I’m astonished at many of your in-game posts. I predicted at halftime that we’d comeback and win. Oh, ye, of little faith. The bi*#@ing and moaning was beyond obnoxious. How about instead of being such negative “fans,” you put your money where your mouth is, go to a game, and cheer on these kids and coaches who are busting their butts. Stop your darn booing. The Mikey Dudek’s, Nick Allegretti’s, Austin Robert’s, Dre Brown’s on this team, who have faced adversity, who have fought back through numerous injuries, who are juniors or seniors, who have remained loyal, and who have been through three different head coaches and staffs, deserve better. Give this team, Lovie, and his coaches a chance. I’m calling you all out, IL. Buy a ticket, go to an effing game, and cheer our kids on. There, I said it. Ban me if you must, Dan.

Click to expand...

SKane said:

I don't recall booing the team or the coaches way back in the post-slush fund years, And we had some pretty awful teams back then.

Click to expand...