Illinois 52, Western Illinois 3 Postgame
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mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
(1) Jacas is an animal. His performance is only going to make it easier for the rest of the line because of the attention he'll receive.
(2) The o-line's pass protection was awesome. The sacks fall on Luke's shoulder (more on that later) and he had sooo much time on many snaps. The run blocking was....eh. Also, and this might be a hot take, but Kreutz might be taking a leap and get a shot as a all-B1G performer.
(3) Valentine's speed just bursts off the screen. He just gets to top speed so quickly. I'm interested to see how his blocking grades are this year because he is going to be special if he can block.
(4) Beatty is the best Illinois returner of my lifetime and it might not be close
(5) Tomiwa Durojaiye might be a great find. It's just one game, and the reputation is that he's inconsistent, but that was a great first appearance.
(6) Special teams also had some really bad moments. That punt wasn't meaningful, but boy was it awful. A blocked FG from less than 35 yards is inexcusable.
(7) It's just one game, and Rusk is just getting back on the field, and it was a bad opponent, and lots of things, but this game sure feels like the TE usage in the passing game is going to be about the same as previous years of 2-3 catches/game and heavy use in run blocking.
(8) So grateful that Priestly's injury was not serious. Would have been a big blow just a few plays into the season. Phew.
(9) I'm a staunch Altmyer defender, even when it wasn't popular when Paddock became terminator for a month, so it hurts to say this: his pocket awareness is not good. He runs into trouble too often. There are times the pocket is well-established and no threats but he mistakenly bails out as if he needs to create more time. He doesn't have great feel for backside pressure and that has caused fumble issues. This isn't just from WIU, but was a theme last year as well. Was disappointing to see a repeat of these habits continuing to start the year.
(10) Loved the run defense last night. Felt like they had complete control at the line of scrimmage and many guys were responsible for TFLs and lack of space. If that continues, it's going to let Illinois lean on a very talented secondary to create turnovers.
(11) Not much to say that others haven't: Patterson was not good. Mensah is an excellent QB and I'm sure Duke is going to target him.
(2) The o-line's pass protection was awesome. The sacks fall on Luke's shoulder (more on that later) and he had sooo much time on many snaps. The run blocking was....eh. Also, and this might be a hot take, but Kreutz might be taking a leap and get a shot as a all-B1G performer.
(3) Valentine's speed just bursts off the screen. He just gets to top speed so quickly. I'm interested to see how his blocking grades are this year because he is going to be special if he can block.
(4) Beatty is the best Illinois returner of my lifetime and it might not be close
(5) Tomiwa Durojaiye might be a great find. It's just one game, and the reputation is that he's inconsistent, but that was a great first appearance.
(6) Special teams also had some really bad moments. That punt wasn't meaningful, but boy was it awful. A blocked FG from less than 35 yards is inexcusable.
(7) It's just one game, and Rusk is just getting back on the field, and it was a bad opponent, and lots of things, but this game sure feels like the TE usage in the passing game is going to be about the same as previous years of 2-3 catches/game and heavy use in run blocking.
(8) So grateful that Priestly's injury was not serious. Would have been a big blow just a few plays into the season. Phew.
(9) I'm a staunch Altmyer defender, even when it wasn't popular when Paddock became terminator for a month, so it hurts to say this: his pocket awareness is not good. He runs into trouble too often. There are times the pocket is well-established and no threats but he mistakenly bails out as if he needs to create more time. He doesn't have great feel for backside pressure and that has caused fumble issues. This isn't just from WIU, but was a theme last year as well. Was disappointing to see a repeat of these habits continuing to start the year.
(10) Loved the run defense last night. Felt like they had complete control at the line of scrimmage and many guys were responsible for TFLs and lack of space. If that continues, it's going to let Illinois lean on a very talented secondary to create turnovers.
(11) Not much to say that others haven't: Patterson was not good. Mensah is an excellent QB and I'm sure Duke is going to target him.
Same here. So convenient to have everything in once place. Parking, tickets, and concession discount are always with you.
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
I definitely heard it but can’t say who initiated it.
The one to Clement in the end zone
Hamstring coach said he will probably be ready for Western Michigan
We have a hamstring coach?
We went in the SW entrance about 5:45 and it wasn’t too bad. I agree the bag checks slowed things down. When we got close they were directing people with bags to another line which bottlenecked things even more. I’m sure it will get better once they get the kinks worked out.
Did anybody have trouble with parking? Lot 45 was a clusterf***!l about 5:30. They had a guy frantically pacing around pointing where he wanted you to park. He told me to park in a spot between two cars and said it will be a tight squeeze. If tight squeeze means knocking off four mirrors he was right. I just drove on and found a spot, he seemed a little upset with me. But there was cars parked haphazardly in different directions, all over the place. Big gaps between cars but not big enough to park and get your doors open. I hope it gets better.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Maybe it wasn’t a perfect game, but it damn sure was a perfect night!
Weather! Bowling alley pizza!
We somehow fell into the very front of the rail at the corner at Grange Grove to watch the walk, and then the ‘05 team pulled up. The bus behind Engine 77 with coaches and family stopped literally right in my face. Bruce pops out and I dapped him up nicely!
After they walked into the stadium, Josh stuck behind to chat with some folks, so I walked up to him after as he finished, shook his hand and demanded ‘05 throwback uniforms for the bball team this year
He laughed and said “that’s a great idea, I’ll have to mention that!”
As for the game, any hand wringing after that is silly. We were just a few better plays from 72-0ing that team.
And first string absolutely needed all of those reps.
Weather! Bowling alley pizza!
We somehow fell into the very front of the rail at the corner at Grange Grove to watch the walk, and then the ‘05 team pulled up. The bus behind Engine 77 with coaches and family stopped literally right in my face. Bruce pops out and I dapped him up nicely!
After they walked into the stadium, Josh stuck behind to chat with some folks, so I walked up to him after as he finished, shook his hand and demanded ‘05 throwback uniforms for the bball team this year
He laughed and said “that’s a great idea, I’ll have to mention that!”
As for the game, any hand wringing after that is silly. We were just a few better plays from 72-0ing that team.
And first string absolutely needed all of those reps.
Any update on Melvin Priestly?
Played the entire game... nothing to worry about.
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blackdog
- Champaign
He came right back in the game after a couple plays. BB said in the presser he was fine.
Yeah, wasn't the best throw but it also didn't look like the best route either. Overall, I thought Luke was good for the most part, though he's still working on building timing and chemistry with the new WRs. I loved what I saw out of Beatty, Bowick, and Dixon, especially Bowick in the red zone and Dixon's blocking. Elzy looked fine. Clement though I thought struggled out there- his routes didn't look clean and he looked a bit lost at times. 1st game of the season and working with a new QB and playbook, so not worried yet, but it's something to watch in the Duke game as we're going to need more out of him in that one
MAC crew.
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Whats the deal about opening your Beer immediately after purchase. Got a beer , could not exit without opening it in front of heavy handed employee....didn't want to spill on way to my seat? What gives?
I think it has something to do with liquor laws and selling for consumption on-premises. No bar will give you an unopened beer either
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Thanks.....I thought maybe she was going to say I had to chug it all before I left.....
blackdog
- Champaign
It's also for safety so people can't throw a full unopened can at the field
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
Get used to him, because he's your started next season, IMO.
That was a beautiful throw. I immediately took notice. That's something Luke doesn't excel at.
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