Me too. He was one of the player's I will never forget. Believe you me that's getting harder every year! Exceptional athelete. RIP,,,LPVery sad to hear. I was there, back in the stone age with Bob Blackman and "Perrin Power"
Remember watching the Bob Blackman show and him describing the play.RIP. Anyone remember Perrin's cross-field lateral on a kickoff to my username namesake George Uremovich in 1972. It took Uremovich about 5 minutes to run 96 yards for the score.
https://www.news-gazette.com/sports...cle_faf8f752-056b-58b4-8036-53d0344d23d4.html
I don't recall that particular play (on radio or TV), but George was my first-ever favorite football player for the Illini. (BTW, GU also dated an Illini cheerleader from my Illinois hometown.)RIP. Anyone remember Perrin's cross-field lateral on a kickoff to my username namesake George Uremovich in 1972. It took Uremovich about 5 minutes to run 96 yards for the score.
https://www.news-gazette.com/sports...cle_faf8f752-056b-58b4-8036-53d0344d23d4.html
And the stands were full back in those days. I guess there were expectations.I don't recall that particular play (on radio or TV), but George was my first-ever favorite football player for the Illini. (BTW, GU also dated an Illini cheerleader from my Illinois hometown.)
Blackman: Hard to believe we fired an Illini football coach with a winning Big Ten conference record, while both Woody and Bo were in the league.
RIP Lonnie.
Someone called in to Monday Morning Quarterbacks and recalled that the next game they faked the same play and Lonnie nearly ran for a touchdown. Just before my time, but maybe some of you remember.Lonnie was an outstanding player, gave us some hope and someone fun to watch in those days. Uremovich, Chubby Phillips, Scott Studwell were others.
RIP Lonnie, thank you for your success and effort for the beloved O&B. You were one of the greats of the 70's. I too will never forget the 'long cross-field lateral on the kickoff' play. Very exciting..
the next game he faked the cross field lateral, then pitched to a WR going up the sideline. didn't score but thrilling no less!Someone called in to Monday Morning Quarterbacks and recalled that the next game they faked the same play and Lonnie nearly ran for a touchdown. Just before my time, but maybe some of you remember.
I did get to play in the Intramural basketball semi-finals against Chubby Phillips and the Alpha Phi Alpha squad. I think he scored 20-25 pts in their win.Lonnie was an outstanding player, gave us some hope and someone fun to watch in those days. Uremovich, Chubby Phillips, Scott Studwell were others.
RIP Lonnie, thank you for your success and effort for the beloved O&B. You were one of the greats of the 70's. I too will never forget the 'long cross-field lateral on the kickoff' play. Very exciting..
I saw the play in person. Yes, I'm old.RIP. Anyone remember Perrin's cross-field lateral on a kickoff to my username namesake George Uremovich in 1972. It took Uremovich about 5 minutes to run 96 yards for the score.
https://www.news-gazette.com/sports...cle_faf8f752-056b-58b4-8036-53d0344d23d4.html
I was there, too. And I even remember it!I saw the play in person. Yes, I'm old.
Bob Blackman was a creative coach.
Looking back at it, it was incredible that he was fired. But we expected him to occasionally beat Woody and Bo. We'd hold our own for 3 quarters but always come up short. At least there were no 63-0 blow-outs.I don't recall that particular play (on radio or TV), but George was my first-ever favorite football player for the Illini. (BTW, GU also dated an Illini cheerleader from my Illinois hometown.)
Blackman: Hard to believe we fired an Illini football coach with a winning Big Ten conference record, while both Woody and Bo were in the league.
RIP Lonnie.
I remember that play as well. In retrospect, Blackman was a good coach who could never quite get over the hump. Given today's schedule he would have gone bowling every year. Cecil Coleman was a moron, 10X worse than Mike Thomas ever wasLooking back at it, it was incredible that he was fired. But we expected him to occasionally beat Woody and Bo. We'd hold our own for 3 quarters but always come up short. At least there were no 63-0 blow-outs.