Illinois 31, Nebraska 24 OT Postgame
- Status
Or the punch to the o- line guy from neebraske defense? Zebras saw nothing?????
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Much like our current road streaks in basketball at the Kohl Center (4 in a row, only us) and Crisler Arena (4 in a row, no team has won 5 in a row), I wondered if any team has gone into Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium and won three in a row.
Well… it turns out this accomplishment isn’t anything special, history wise. Several teams have gone into Lincoln and won three in a row — even Missouri. At one point in the 1940s and 50s, Oklahoma won 16 games in a row, eight of them in Lincoln. Texas has a current five game Lincoln winning streak over the Huskers, with NU’s lone win in Lincoln coming in 1933. That one’s gotta hurt.
So, nothing special with last night’s victory… except, of course, it a special win to us.
Well… it turns out this accomplishment isn’t anything special, history wise. Several teams have gone into Lincoln and won three in a row — even Missouri. At one point in the 1940s and 50s, Oklahoma won 16 games in a row, eight of them in Lincoln. Texas has a current five game Lincoln winning streak over the Huskers, with NU’s lone win in Lincoln coming in 1933. That one’s gotta hurt.
So, nothing special with last night’s victory… except, of course, it a special win to us.
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Did James K play with a club hand again this week?
I checked the play DB and it looks like only 8 designed runs to the running back for 29 yards in the first half. I don’t mind the running, but how predictable it’s been in the past has been the biggest problem imo.
1st drive - 6 plays, 2 run, 5 yards
2nd drive - 2 plays, no runs
3rd drive - 8 plays, 3 run, 11 yards
4th drive - 9 plays, 3 run, 13 yards
Sports blogs are not the place to go to look for calm and reasoned analysis and open-minded fairness.
Losing a game for a team one cares about brings out the hurt child in us. We want 'Our Way' all the time... and that means to Win! all the time. And when we don't get that we quickly resort to pounding our fists on the high chair and crying our eyes out. And blaming Mommy and Daddy.
And that's what happened last night to Husker fans in an Illini program-defining win for The Boys From The Prairie State. They turned the legendary Nebraska Sea-Of-Red... into something Red all right -- lots of red eyes in the stands from anger and tears.
And how did our Basketball State do that? Because the Illini played with SWAGGER. Not the swagger of arrogance, but the swagger of confidence of believing in yourself and knowing you can get the job done. And that's what The Orange Helmets went out and did. Went into the Cornhusker Sanctuary and turned all those Red Faces... Blue.
The Illini are riding a high right now that feels good. There will be a stumble on the road ahead... but the landscape has changed. Our expectations have changed. National expectations of the Illini have now changed.
Can the Illini add football now to the roster of Being-Brad-Level-Style 'Elite'? The road is open and wide. The spirit is willing. Fans are ready. Winning does feel good after all. And we promise not to melt down if and when the Illini stumble because who wants to act like Michigan or Ohio State or 'Pee' State U. Or some Husker fans last night.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
So much to be grateful for today after that win last night. What I enjoyed most, however, was watching our boys go toe to toe with a ranked foe on the road in an electric atmosphere, trail nearly the entire game, and just keep getting up and responding while I was confident that they'd be in it to the end. And then absolutely breaking the Huskers' will in OT, snapping them like a dry twig.
I felt that way mildly about Zook's team in '07, and about a Turner team only in '01. Maybe '00. Before that, it was when Mackovic coached and, of course, '83. Even with Mack you'd get embarrassments like that 54-28 Nick Bell/Iowa pasting of the Illini when we were Top 5 in '90.
It has been a long time. The best thing about having BB at the helm is that he isn't White, Mack, Turner or Zook. He's stable; runs a solid program; has a long-term, patient outlook and the wisdom to understand what he is building and probably won't bolt our program; and develops and mentors players, coaches and esp the coordinators. Best of all, he's a really competent CEO. He's as complete a package, having staying power, as I've ever seen on our sideline since I became an Illini fan in '83.
Last night was wonderful because our offense was balanced and creative and our defense tenacious and creative. My brother @Retro62 and I both noted that AHen has scaled the learning curve and appears to be coming into his own. Those blitz calls late were filthy and bold and we've got the talent to pull them off. And Barry called what seems to me to be the most complete game since he has been here. Perhaps that's because, with the WR talent we enjoy, and Luke having the time and protection to become comfortable and confident, we're able to open things up, incorporating the TEs and the run.
The best part of last night: it was fun the entire way, and I never feared a collapse or boneheaded miscues. I've been in that place only briefly and rarely over 40+ years. Am going to enjoy that feeling next Saturday and the rest of the way. Just last month I found myself unable to get up for football season for the first time since BB arrived, and wondering whether we could reach 0.500. Was thinking about that last night, too.
And then we won. On national TV on the road against a 19-year-old Patrick Mahomes. Bonus.
I felt that way mildly about Zook's team in '07, and about a Turner team only in '01. Maybe '00. Before that, it was when Mackovic coached and, of course, '83. Even with Mack you'd get embarrassments like that 54-28 Nick Bell/Iowa pasting of the Illini when we were Top 5 in '90.
It has been a long time. The best thing about having BB at the helm is that he isn't White, Mack, Turner or Zook. He's stable; runs a solid program; has a long-term, patient outlook and the wisdom to understand what he is building and probably won't bolt our program; and develops and mentors players, coaches and esp the coordinators. Best of all, he's a really competent CEO. He's as complete a package, having staying power, as I've ever seen on our sideline since I became an Illini fan in '83.
Last night was wonderful because our offense was balanced and creative and our defense tenacious and creative. My brother @Retro62 and I both noted that AHen has scaled the learning curve and appears to be coming into his own. Those blitz calls late were filthy and bold and we've got the talent to pull them off. And Barry called what seems to me to be the most complete game since he has been here. Perhaps that's because, with the WR talent we enjoy, and Luke having the time and protection to become comfortable and confident, we're able to open things up, incorporating the TEs and the run.
The best part of last night: it was fun the entire way, and I never feared a collapse or boneheaded miscues. I've been in that place only briefly and rarely over 40+ years. Am going to enjoy that feeling next Saturday and the rest of the way. Just last month I found myself unable to get up for football season for the first time since BB arrived, and wondering whether we could reach 0.500. Was thinking about that last night, too.
And then we won. On national TV on the road against a 19-year-old Patrick Mahomes. Bonus.
I too was interested in this. Seemed like most still think we suck and saw a few comments that UNLV was the better team they lost to. Admittedly we played much better in this game and they are preparing themselves for a West Virginia loss.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Does anyone have a link to the SC Top 10 that featured our guys? I haven't watched ESPN in years, but I would like to see the clips they pulled from our game.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
Thank you!
Their offensive had about as many tackles as defensive line did.
They have every right to be upset with the way he managed that game. The decision to kick on 4th and 3 with an untested backup kicker, the throwing away of a time out on an awful challenge., his clock management, and his failure to adjust to our running game didn't reflect well. As I said earlier, I hope that they fall in love with his congenial personality and give him a lifetime contract.
agree
he seems like a nice guy who can recruit well, but is Zook like in game management .
there is a reason he loses all the time to ranked teams and it’s not bad luck
Illinivek23
- Gurnee
Not defending his record, as I agree with everyone's take on last night's game from a coaching perspective, but isn't his poor record partly a function of taking on rebuilds?
He wasn't at Baylor long at all and is just getting rolling at UNL. Temple wouldn't be expected to do well against Top 25 teams
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Disagree strongly with the bolded. If they don't convert on that conceptual 4th down, all would be coming out with pitchforks. Not like the kicker did not have the leg, the placement of the ball was slightly off. The kick was inside 40 yards...
- Status