Couldn't take their time on substitutions unless Illinois was substituting.
Illinois 37, Michigan State 34 POSTGAME
DeGroot looked lost in the first half, also. Ran himself out of a number of plays. Somehow, they fixed it at halftime and he started being a lot more where he was suppose to be in the 2nd half.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Don’t know if it was discussed but I’m concerned about our underlying problem: We were getting beat pretty badly for a large part of this game. We gave up well over 300 yards in the first half and could have been down by more. Our offense was getting nothing done.
I’m as ecstatic as everyone else and hope that the magic of this season leads to great success in the future but how do we play a full game?
I’m as ecstatic as everyone else and hope that the magic of this season leads to great success in the future but how do we play a full game?
I can actually guarantee that they won't lose next week!
Illinir1
- Camdenton, MO
Just got around to watching these film breakdowns. I couldn't be happier with the team's turnaround and obtaining bowl eligibility, with opportunity for more wins yet this season. However...….
The linebacker's play on some of the defensive play reviews could have been accompanied with Three Stooges sound effects. Still, four turnovers to feed the big comeback. Great for the defense on that. Unfortunately, the Michigan 28-0 lead and MSU's 28-3 lead is reflective of what we are without the turnovers. Probably stating the obvious here, but we need to get better on making stops. And how did we survive 9 penalties for 94 yards (vs. MSU's 3 for 30 yards)? Another reoccurring opportunity.
Go Illini, Beat the Hawkeyes!
While I still contend that we should realize the turnovers will keep coming (when haven’t they to this point?), that film was ugly to watch. I get it: we were missing two starting LBs. Still, how is a second string LB (Tolson) that bad? He didn’t know any of the most basic reads. Also, it is apparent that without Betiku, that front 4 can’t get it done pressure wise without a blitz. Too much running straight into a full man. I have been loving the ride so far, but there are still major concerns with a very inexperienced defensive coaching staff going forward.
I know this has been asked before and I sincerely apologize for asking again, but does anyone know how to re-watch the game? I was able to watch the Wisconsion game on YouTube but cannot find the MSU game anywhere. Any help is greatly appreciated
Dan
Admin
Condensed 1-hr game on BTN today 2:00pm CT
Deleted member 654622
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It maybe the most obvious answer but the most unrealistic in our eyes considering what we have seen the last few years. Is the coaching staff making the correct halftime adjustments that is fueling us to these victories?
I've wanted to call this out since the end of the game, but the past few weeks (going back to the Michigan game) we have seen much better play in the 2nd half. For as much as we complain about this (in both basketball and football) it deserves to be recognized.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I agree that the halftime adjustments have been excellent - no doubt. But we have to get off to better starts or this thing will catch up with you. Maybe we did that versus Purdue and we hung with Wisky most of the day but Rutgers and MSU - wow what awful first halves.
Deleted member 19448
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For a program that has been down as long as this one, I'm thinking there is a lot of learning about how to win that is going on. They have made tremendous strides in learning to overcome adversity but there will obviously be growing pains to come. Also, there are still holes on the roster. Finally starting to see something that can be built on though. Refreshing change!!
Deleted member 654622
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I also need to point out that the addition of Lou could be more impactful than we thought as well. Is his system and those 100 yard sprints making this team more prepared for 2nd half football this far into the season? Luke Ford thinks so (he tweeted it)
Yes, classic PI, no question about it. Good call. Reams would have caught it with out the P I too.
This is actually a misconception. We were getting beat pretty badly for the first three of the first four MSU drives. We gave up a whopping 233 yards on those three touchdown drives (combined with a zero yard drive! yay!). Those drives ended with 12:41 left in the 2nd quarter and us down 21-3. After that we only gave up 293 yards in the last 42:19 of the game. That still isn't great, but that would average out to 415 yards over the course of a 60 minute game. I'm no expert, but it's obvious that defensively, some things were adjusted or at least played better well before halftime.. Offensively, I'm not sure what to say about any of that.
I think your overall sentiment remains true, though: "how do we play a full game?"
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Re-live the entire 4th quarter comeback here:
Deleted member 654622
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I am going to rewatch this at least 3 times a day for a week
Better talent.
Most guys at this level can make some excellent plays. But the better talent makes them more consistently.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Goosebumps, man. Goosebumps.
In the 4 games prior, yes. This last Saturday, no.
We called a crappy football game in the second half Saturday, offensively and defensively. Offensively we’re trying to attack the A in the run game against one of the best interior defensive lines in the conference, designing throws to the outside hash that Brandon has been missing since the UConn game, a number of inside QB draws that nobody bites down on. We very nearly bungled the ending. Defensively we’re blitzing into formations you would never blitz into, we’re running single man high (With Quan Martin of all players) against their best WR. It was a bit of mess. Hats off to the KIDS, they made a number of backyard plays that won this game.
The 4 games prior though, full credit to Lovie and this staff. That was a great stretch of coaching.
Deleted member 654622
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Offensively I don't think Palcho had a very good game. Our best run blocking tandem is Green and Kramer in my opinion so I am not surprised nor will I blame them for trying to run to them. And I feel like we have been throwing to the outside all year, Peters has plenty of arm strength to do it. I am not defending the play calling but I am not going to say the whole game was awful either. The goal line calls at the end of the game were not ideal. No defending that. I would not put a shotgun QB under center. I believe Jay Leman made a very good point, why not wild cat with Dre Brown. I have only seen it one time and that was after Peters long run in the Rutgers game. I would like to see that utilized a little more on short yardage. This is Rod's second year in being a full time OC. First year with a running QB and now shifting to a pocket passer, I am not shocked he has had some issues here and there. I believe he will learn and get better