Just thought I would get in here before it's too late. Some my recall this post of mine on Friday
- Just bought a single ticket in the 2nd row EB 50 yard line. I have a new 16x monoscope. My wife has work commitments. So I'm doing one of my favorite things: spending the day by myself, driving 3 hours each way, listening to music, getting tuned-up, walking around campus, talking to strangers, and watching live sports (Illini football this time). I will have fun no matter who starts at QB.
I'll came back to that, but first I wanted to comment or ask about a couple of my observations. I read this entire string, I still may have missed the discussion.
1. Did everyone notice that on the 4th and 1 conversion by Williams, Feagin was lined up at fullback (he had long been out since his injury)? They faked to him and pitched to Williams. Feagin didn't even run into the line. I watched him walk off gingerly and said to the guys sitting near me, "Feagin was clearly a decoy". I was surprised when he was back in later for that 9 yard run. That was the most creative play Lunney has run all year.
2. Indiana put absolutely no pressure on Paddock, didn't even try many times.
3. Even though there were a ridiculous number of penalties that fans really don't see, all the DPIs were actually legit.
4. I don't care what teams are playing, good or bad, this was one of the most enetertaining and fun games I have ever witnessed live. When considering the entire Paddock story, the way this season has unfolded, and the game itself, this game should be remembered for a long time.
I've been an Illini fan since 1976. I attended when I was a student, and had season tickets for many years after (until my kids Saturday commitments became the priority). I haven't attended many live Illini football or basketballs over the last 25 years. Being semi-retired now, I expect to make it to more going forward. However, I can now say that I was in attendance at the game when the most passing yards in a game at Memorial Stadium was set (fortunately by an Illini), the record 8 rushing TDs in a game (Howard Griffith), the 2005 Regional final 14 pt comeback over AZ (Ok that's BB), and (for comic relief) the 1978 0-0 tie with Northwestern. Some have called it the worst game ever played by the worst 2 teams to ever face each other. So I got that going for me too.
Back to my Friday post. If this needs to be moved to a different thread, that's fine, but here goes my Illini game day experience.
Left for my 3+ hour drive around 7AM and am parking in camputown on John St. a little after 10AM. Got my mind right and headed to Altgeld to use a bathroom. Disappointed to discover the rehab work being done that had the entire property roped off. Decided to go to the Union via past the Alma Mater. Very few people around. Coming out of the Union I see an "older" gentlemen sitting on a bench by himself with a cane and in full Illini gear. ["Older" for me is significant these days]. I said, "I don't remember it being such a long walk between these buildings". He said, "It was long then, too". My reply, "Seems longer now". As I walk around the south side of Altgeld, crossed Wright (looking both ways), and back down John St., I see this little girl walking toward me from a distance. As we get closer to passing each other I look up. I realize it's not a "little girl", she's probably a freshmen or sophomore co-ed. She's wearing very short cut-offs, an Illini seatshirt, flip-flops, carrying nothing, not backpack nor books, and not looking to well. It is about 10:15AM and 30 degrees. After we passed each other, I laughed to myself and thought, "45 years ago that could have been my wife and 15-20 years ago that could have been one of my daughters". Grabbed what I need from the car for the game; stadium seat, warmer hoodie, and the stuff to keep my mind in the proper state. I take my time walking to the stadium and get to my seat in the 2nd row, East Balcony right on about the 49 yard line. I chat a little with the guy who also just bought a ticket next to me. A couple arrives sitting to my other side, later I started discussing the game with a father and son behind me. So throughout the game there are 5 of us enjoying and suffering the events together. Early in th 3Q I realize Paddock is well past 300 yards. I get them focusing how we can get Paddock to 600 yards. We are having so much fun, even through the frustrating plays and penalties. Most of my conversation is with the gentlemen member of the couple sitting next to me. At some point he tells me he's from Peoria, I say I have friend from UI that moved to Peoria after graduation to work for a particularly large, well known equipment maufacturer, and never left. That was it. At the end of the game I joking said, "Say Hi to "Mike X". His wife said, "Did you say "Mike X"?, "I know "Mike X", " I worked with "Mike X" at "the large equipment manufacturer". She took a selfie of us and is going to post it on Facebook. I haven't seen him in about 20 years, but we stay in touch via Facebook now. This will a little fun. The father behind me consoled me with Paddock at least getting 500 yards. I told the father and son that i wasn't sure, but we might have seen a record performance.
So, did I have fun? I'm still telling everybody about my day before I decide just how much fun I had.
- Just bought a single ticket in the 2nd row EB 50 yard line. I have a new 16x monoscope. My wife has work commitments. So I'm doing one of my favorite things: spending the day by myself, driving 3 hours each way, listening to music, getting tuned-up, walking around campus, talking to strangers, and watching live sports (Illini football this time). I will have fun no matter who starts at QB.
I'll came back to that, but first I wanted to comment or ask about a couple of my observations. I read this entire string, I still may have missed the discussion.
1. Did everyone notice that on the 4th and 1 conversion by Williams, Feagin was lined up at fullback (he had long been out since his injury)? They faked to him and pitched to Williams. Feagin didn't even run into the line. I watched him walk off gingerly and said to the guys sitting near me, "Feagin was clearly a decoy". I was surprised when he was back in later for that 9 yard run. That was the most creative play Lunney has run all year.
2. Indiana put absolutely no pressure on Paddock, didn't even try many times.
3. Even though there were a ridiculous number of penalties that fans really don't see, all the DPIs were actually legit.
4. I don't care what teams are playing, good or bad, this was one of the most enetertaining and fun games I have ever witnessed live. When considering the entire Paddock story, the way this season has unfolded, and the game itself, this game should be remembered for a long time.
I've been an Illini fan since 1976. I attended when I was a student, and had season tickets for many years after (until my kids Saturday commitments became the priority). I haven't attended many live Illini football or basketballs over the last 25 years. Being semi-retired now, I expect to make it to more going forward. However, I can now say that I was in attendance at the game when the most passing yards in a game at Memorial Stadium was set (fortunately by an Illini), the record 8 rushing TDs in a game (Howard Griffith), the 2005 Regional final 14 pt comeback over AZ (Ok that's BB), and (for comic relief) the 1978 0-0 tie with Northwestern. Some have called it the worst game ever played by the worst 2 teams to ever face each other. So I got that going for me too.
Back to my Friday post. If this needs to be moved to a different thread, that's fine, but here goes my Illini game day experience.
Left for my 3+ hour drive around 7AM and am parking in camputown on John St. a little after 10AM. Got my mind right and headed to Altgeld to use a bathroom. Disappointed to discover the rehab work being done that had the entire property roped off. Decided to go to the Union via past the Alma Mater. Very few people around. Coming out of the Union I see an "older" gentlemen sitting on a bench by himself with a cane and in full Illini gear. ["Older" for me is significant these days]. I said, "I don't remember it being such a long walk between these buildings". He said, "It was long then, too". My reply, "Seems longer now". As I walk around the south side of Altgeld, crossed Wright (looking both ways), and back down John St., I see this little girl walking toward me from a distance. As we get closer to passing each other I look up. I realize it's not a "little girl", she's probably a freshmen or sophomore co-ed. She's wearing very short cut-offs, an Illini seatshirt, flip-flops, carrying nothing, not backpack nor books, and not looking to well. It is about 10:15AM and 30 degrees. After we passed each other, I laughed to myself and thought, "45 years ago that could have been my wife and 15-20 years ago that could have been one of my daughters". Grabbed what I need from the car for the game; stadium seat, warmer hoodie, and the stuff to keep my mind in the proper state. I take my time walking to the stadium and get to my seat in the 2nd row, East Balcony right on about the 49 yard line. I chat a little with the guy who also just bought a ticket next to me. A couple arrives sitting to my other side, later I started discussing the game with a father and son behind me. So throughout the game there are 5 of us enjoying and suffering the events together. Early in th 3Q I realize Paddock is well past 300 yards. I get them focusing how we can get Paddock to 600 yards. We are having so much fun, even through the frustrating plays and penalties. Most of my conversation is with the gentlemen member of the couple sitting next to me. At some point he tells me he's from Peoria, I say I have friend from UI that moved to Peoria after graduation to work for a particularly large, well known equipment maufacturer, and never left. That was it. At the end of the game I joking said, "Say Hi to "Mike X". His wife said, "Did you say "Mike X"?, "I know "Mike X", " I worked with "Mike X" at "the large equipment manufacturer". She took a selfie of us and is going to post it on Facebook. I haven't seen him in about 20 years, but we stay in touch via Facebook now. This will a little fun. The father behind me consoled me with Paddock at least getting 500 yards. I told the father and son that i wasn't sure, but we might have seen a record performance.
So, did I have fun? I'm still telling everybody about my day before I decide just how much fun I had.
