The worst no call by the refs in the MSU game was when Isiah was mugged before a critical throw. Way worse PI than anything called on Illinois this year. I don’t even know what the rule is anymore. No touching? No impeding without going for the ball? Tackling OK?… look at that IW no call against MSU, it was sickening.
Michigan 19, Illinois 17 Postgame
There is no one on this sight who doesn't support this team. There is no difference between you criticizing the refs than someone criticizing a coaches calls. No one is calling for Lunney's head they just have the right to question hisccalls.
Fair point on this site . . . . but the cesspool of social media certainly has numerous mental midgets calling for Lunney’s head.
There is no replay booth. It is the game ref on the sidelines with what appears to be a 4 inch screen.
Would like to think so but after having ridiculous losses to Indiana, Michigan State and Purdue (2 of them at home), not seeing too much silver lining. Close game today but when you wind up on the losing side it really doesn’t matter if it was 2 points or 40 points. Great teams find ways to win. We seemingly find ways to lose games that we should be winning. Zero quality wins. Three losses in a row is nothing to be optimistic about.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Zero quality wins? Minny, Iowa, and Wiscy are all bowl teams and we beat all of them. Two of them quite convincingly. 8-4 would still be far better than basically anyone predicted before this season. Not sure how anyone can't see we are on the rise.
Are any of those teams ranked or were they when we played them??? NO. The only good win was the Wiscy win but was still not a “quality” win. Iowa was 9-6 and we were fortunate that the refs overturned the fumble recovery for a TD or that was another loss. Play calling in these last three games has been very underwhelming….we have been majorly outcoached in all 3 games. We were looking at a New Year (1/2) game but now we will get a consolation “ugh” bowl game. Go Illini BB!!!
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
We literally just got jobbed or we beat the #3 team in the country and this is your take? Wow. Talk about impossible to please.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Anyone who drove back after the game on I-94 will understand: I was thrilled to get to the other side of the snow storm after such a treacherous and scary drive, but was simultaneously devastated that after 4 hours I was still an hour away from Illinois.
I am thrilled we put forward such a valiant effort against one of the best teams in college football, and am simultaneously devastated that we let an all time win slip away like that.
I am confident in the direction of this program. But you just can’t let opportunities like that go. Ugh….
I am thrilled we put forward such a valiant effort against one of the best teams in college football, and am simultaneously devastated that we let an all time win slip away like that.
I am confident in the direction of this program. But you just can’t let opportunities like that go. Ugh….
Don't even respond to post like this. Shows a lack of understanding of the game, never played before, and hasn't given sweat, busted body to the game!
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
This entire post is filled with craziness.
1) How could we have quality wins by your logic if this was the first ranked team we have played? Beat who is on your schedule. 2 disappointing losses for sure, but we were in each and every game down to the last snap
2) How can we be fortunate a call was overturned when it was the correct call? And it was great out Iowaing Iowa
3) I can agree slightly with play calling, but we do not have the pieces to sling the ball around like many on this board want. Execution failed at times the last 3 weeks, but by no means were we majorly outcoached. In fact, I thought we were coached better today, especially with better halftime adjustments than Michigan
4) Unless the bowl is in Detroit, no bowl for a developing team like Illini is an "ugh" bowl. We will have a pretty good bowl match up that might be more winnable
5) If you are this negative about playing toe to toe with a top 3 team at their house, then you should probably stay on the basketball side of this site
What was your expectation/prediction for wins before the season started???
My prediction has already been surpassed. This program is headed in the right direction.
Nothing "fortunate" about it. It wasn't a fumble,,,
Our Coach defends the Illini with his soul. His momma passed and he went out and did what she would have wanted. Coach a game and coach with passion. We are not a deep team, yet! It has hurt us the past 3 weeks. Our team played with conviction and heart representing Illini Nation. After spring game I was excited about our 1's and that was it. I felt 4-8, maybe 6-6. 8-4 beyond my wildest expectations. You have Td's being called incomplete in Indiana. You have a Michigan st. team faking injuries all game because of our tempo, phantom PI calls against Purdue and 4 key defensive players missing.
We throat stomped Wisconsin in front of 80k, Nebraska in front of 80k, Our 2's and 3' are developing.
I love this team, staff, and our leader. The future is bright. NOW HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE TO PLAY AGAINST THESE SHI"""Y Big10 referee's.
I L L I N I
We throat stomped Wisconsin in front of 80k, Nebraska in front of 80k, Our 2's and 3' are developing.
I love this team, staff, and our leader. The future is bright. NOW HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE TO PLAY AGAINST THESE SHI"""Y Big10 referee's.
I L L I N I
the national
- the Front Range
I will end the night with a bold prediction and due to NIL.. Not only does almost our entire stud Offensive line return next year. So do both Brown brothers. Chase and Sydney! Goodnight and see you in Chicago next Saturday. Now go beat Virginia tomorrow!!!!!
It does matter. It matters a lot. Losing by 40 sucks! Losing by 2 sucks less! Grow up!!
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
Yes, the score does matter - along with level of play - in measuring progress. Despite taking a loss, I’m proud of how the guys responded to two disappointing outings.
Under BB‘s leadership, they have staged a program turnaround much faster than probably any of us expected, and they showed extraordinary heart and fight today. To deny them credit for all that and not be optimistic about the direction we’re headed is a sad existence as a “fan.”
You seriously don’t feel better about a 2-point road loss to the 3rd ranked team than you did a few years ago?
I down vote this comment with extreme prejudice. Illinois is considered a basketball school by Illinois basketball fans. Illinois has a storied football history which includes 5 national championships. I appreciate Illini basketball and its fans but when you discount Illini football, dem's fightin' words.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
The Illinois Fighting Illini were on the verge of a massive upset in the Big House against No. 3 Michigan, forcing the Wolverines to convert a 4th and 3 with a minute to go, by far their most important play of the season.
The Wolverines' College Football Playoff hopes were riding on the play. They got the first down, but it can certainly be argued they ran an illegal pick play.
Illinois was called for a defensive pass interference a play later to set up Michigan's game-winning 35-yard field goal.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema criticized the officials after the game.
"I'm extremely pissed off. Very angry. Very upset," Bielema told reporters, via CBS Sports. "I think our kids did a lot to win the football game and to continually just have things go against us, very frustrated. You've got to stand up for your people that you believe in. I believe in our locker room big time, and I know that they'll rise up to the challenge once again."
Bielema also took to Twitter to throw shade at the refs.
"We will work all week in practice to defend this play especially on 4th down," he said in a tweet in which the controversial fourth down conversion is shared.
Honestly I think he has to say something or he looses his locker room. Even if it's not the best look he has to show his team he will do what he Caan for them. Part of the FAMILLY culture now, I would guess.