North Carolina 48, Illinois 23 POSTGAME

#26      

SixthandWhite

SixthandWhite
SixthandWhite
The good:

1- the crowd- first sellout in 5 years. It was plenty loud while the game was competitive. Sadly, I'm sure that familiar sinking feeling started to creep in when the game got out of hand. Don't lose hope yet Illini fans, good things are around the corner.

2- Hardy Nickerson Jr- I have no idea how our defense would function without him, he made a lot of great tackles tonight. Please stay healthy!

3- Kendrick Foster- really put together another great performance against much tougher competition. Ran hard and showed shiftiness, so glad he didn't transfer. Vaughn had a good game as well, you gotta take what the defense gives and all that (it doesn't help that things went downhill quickly in the second half). Run offense will hopefully continue to improve (get well soon Gabe).

The bad:

1- our passing game- Lunt didn't want to set his feet and stand tall in the pocket, when he did deliver the ball it was frequently dropped (I counted at least 4 drops). Our receivers couldn't get open at all, resulting in numerous dumpoffs and short drives. Malik Turner was our leading receiver (3 catches, 33 yards), Lunt really couldn't find a thyme with anyone. This has to improve if we're gonna go bowling this year.

2- punting- with one notable exception (pinning them at the 2), the punting game was just about awful. I hope Frain is able to make it back by Western Michigan.

3- The penalties and miscues- for a while I thought I was watching a Ron Zook team. Hitting the opposing player in the facemask with the ref right beside you, are you kidding me?!?! The late hits, offsides, and illegal formations are not the hallmarks of NFL caliber coaching. Also, the game really turned on Lunt fumbling that ball for no reason and gifting them 7 points and all of the momentum.

I believe these penalties and miscues will all improve soon, but that factor more than any other is why we lost by 4 scores rather than 1 or 2. Let's rebound and beat the hell out of WMU :chief:
 
#27      

MadSeason

MadSeason
MadSeason
This should hopefully clear up any confusion some Illini fans were having about our talent level. Beckman and co. were a disaster and cleaning up their mess won't be easy.

Too many penalties. Yes, some were questionable and UNC got away with a lot but we weren't disciplined.

Our receivers could not get separation. Lunt was not sharp, but most of his balls had to be pin point because their guys blanketed ours. We have started to address that with next years class. We need playmakers and help is on the way.

Yes, we have a quality Defensive Line but our D still lacks speed. Again only recruiting can fix.

Finally UNC is a tremendously talented team. With all our flaws tonight we hung around with a very good team. If we clean up the mental mistakes, we can go bowling.
 
#28      

IrishIllini

I
IrishIllini
Wasn't planning for a win, but still a bit disappointed. We came out swinging, but ultimately the Illini reminded us we're not rid of TB yet. The crowd was okay. Was very happy with the student section. Hope they continue to support the team. This team needs it. Main stands got very quiet by the half...sucked.

I still have an optimistic outlook on this season. No matter where we are now I know we're only going to get better. Wish we didn't have to wait.

Go Illini
 
#29      

IrishIllini

I
IrishIllini
Second and Chalmers said:
Here's the scary part: They aren't.
Click to expand...

They aren't top 25, but they're definitely better than (for now). Our coaching staff is superior and I believe we are in a better long term position than UNC. Don't think it's unrealistic we finish stronger than them. We should give the younger guys more playing time IMO. Next year might be ugly.

:chief:
 
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#30      

MadSeason

MadSeason
MadSeason
Second and Chalmers said:
Here's the scary part: They aren't.
Click to expand...

They were 11-3 last year.

They return 15 starters this year.

F/+ had them as 24th best team last year

Sagarin had them as 16th best

They led in the 4th quarter against the 9th rated team in country in their back yard.

Hard case to make that they aren't a talented team
 
#31      

ZeroDarkThirsty

ZeroDarkThirsty
Stay Thirsty My Friends
United States
ZeroDarkThirsty
24gvype.jpg
 
#32      

blackdog

blackdog
Champaign
blackdog
Not going to comment on the game itself but the atmosphere both before and during the game was great. Probably the consistently loudest the stadium has been in a long time. I was a freshman during the 07 Rose Bowl year and even then the fans weren't as loud throughout the entire game. When UNC had a false start penalty on the 2 yard line right before Smoot had the safety that was definitely due to crowd noise. When was the last time that has happened?

Also Grange Grove and the tailgate lots were jam packed with people and it was a fantastic time. Everything about the experience was the way a college football game should be. Lets keep that excitement and enthusiasm going.

Another big takeaway leaving the game people were disappointed with the result yes but I still heard a lot of talk about how good the team will be in a couple years. Hope. Its a beautiful thing.
 
#33      

coltjames03

C
coltjames03
While sitting at the game I was thinking why am I watching Rex Grossman type of game out here. That's what it felt like sitting there watching Lunt today. His fumble was horrible especially since not one person was close to him. He absolutely just dropped it.

Wr's they didn't help out much either they had a few drops that should of been caught but other than that not much they could do when the passes were horrible

RB's not sure how ugly this would of gotten if not for Vaughn and Foster.

McGee damn his play calling today was horrendous. At some point should of at least ran a counter or something. Every time he had one side loaded he ran to that side. With the vision of our backs and the way UNC was overplaying the strong side could of broke off a few more runs.

Defense has to have some help from the offense. They had a couple mistakes but they definitely did their job today.

Crowd man I can't remember last time I saw a crowd like that and a loud crowd as well. The stadium was full of energy that's for sure

Just now got home from the game. The drive back to the quad cities was definitely a quiet one for me oh and northwestern losing to Illinois state was great to see
 
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#34      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
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#35      

JDHalfrack

J
Springfield, IL
JDHalfrack
OKay, I don't want to keep beating a dead horse, but yeah, Lunt looked awful.

Also, why is everyone touting the defense so much? I actually didn't think they played that well.

North Carolina had 14 possessions. Of those 14, FIVE resulted in North Carolina not having an attempt to score (3 punts, 1 drive ended the 1st half, and 1 resulted in a safety), and THREE were drives that had North Carolina starting within the Illinois 40 yard line. North Carolina scored in all three of those drives (1 touchdown and 2 field goals). It's tough to stop those short field drives from scoring, and the fact we held them to two field goals is awesome.

But those other SIX drives... they were a defensive mess. and it wasn't like they were "gassed" at this point. Of the six drives, FOUR of them had a situation of 3rd and 9 OR LONGER that we allowed them to convert. Three of those drives resulted in touchdowns and one a missed field goal. Only one of those drives was in the 4th quarter when we might say they were "gassed".

By my estimates, the defense was directly responsible for 15 points that should not have been scored. And honestly, with the terrible coverage in the middle of the field (which was open all day for North Carolina), I'm inclined to say that even with Lunt's mess of a game play, the defense was more of a hindrance to our chance of winning than the offense. We stop those 3rd and long plays and maybe actually cover the whole field, I'm not sure North Carolina scores 30 points. Our offense would have had the ball longer, the late game defense wouldn't have been so tired, and maybe it's a legit game.

Lunt's grade yesterday was an F, no doubt. But let's not pretend like the defense's grade was much better...
 
#36      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
dawgville
Joel Goodson
MadSeason said:
This should hopefully clear up any confusion some Illini fans were having about our talent level. Beckman and co. were a disaster and cleaning up their mess won't be easy.

Too many penalties. Yes, some were questionable and UNC got away with a lot but we weren't disciplined.

Our receivers could not get separation. Lunt was not sharp, but most of his balls had to be pin point because their guys blanketed ours. We have started to address that with next years class. We need playmakers and help is on the way.

Yes, we have a quality Defensive Line but our D still lacks speed. Again only recruiting can fix.

Finally UNC is a tremendously talented team. With all our flaws tonight we hung around with a very good team. If we clean up the mental mistakes, we can go bowling.
Click to expand...

Good assessment. One quibble: Lunt was terrible. Looked like a deer in the headlights, first start kid. Frequently, while not under heavy duress. Very, very disappointing.

Must win game next week.

Great advertisement that early playing time is to be had for the recruits.
 
#37      

Lake Camelot

L
Lake Camelot
"Wes is our quarterback"


Three most important causes of loss to me where We Lunt, Punting, penalties.

Overall I think UNC was just better. But it was frustrating. I don't think the offense played to it's potential. We had some chances. It will take a while. I am not looking forward to our last 5 or so games of the season this year. It will be rough. There are still some positives and the team is worth watching.

PS- I am concerned we don't seem to have a new QB in the wings waiting ( I am talking about for next year)
 
#38      

MadSeason

MadSeason
MadSeason
Joel Goodson said:
Good assessment. One quibble: Lunt was terrible. Looked like a deer in the headlights, first start kid. Frequently, while not under heavy duress. Very, very disappointing.

Must win game next week.

Great advertisement that early playing time is to be had for the recruits.
Click to expand...

You are right, I was trying not to pile on too much. Lunt did have a few really good deep balls that our receivers didn't make plays on.
 
#39      

breadman

B
Herndon, VA
breadman
Joel Goodson said:
Good assessment. One quibble: Lunt was terrible. Looked like a deer in the headlights, first start kid. Frequently, while not under heavy duress. Very, very disappointing.

Must win game next week.

Great advertisement that early playing time is to be had for the recruits.
Click to expand...

Oh, and by the way, we did have a ton of recruits attending the game. Hope they got this message!
 
#41      

breadman

B
Herndon, VA
breadman
So,first game score equals last year's first game score.
Second game points given up equals last year's second game points given up, on the road no less.
So, new coaching staff impact?
You tell me.
 
#43      

beckfaux

B
beckfaux
Joel Goodson said:
Good assessment. One quibble: Lunt was terrible. Looked like a deer in the headlights, first start kid. Frequently, while not under heavy duress. Very, very disappointing.

Must win game next week.

Great advertisement that early playing time is to be had for the recruits.
Click to expand...

I think that misses the best part of the recruiting sell though. Not only do you get immediate playing time, but listen to the crowd in the first quarter. That was a crowd getting behind a team that hasnt done anything yet. Now imagine you come in and get a team that goes 8-4, 10-2, 12-0 ... Imagine what that crowd will be like when you come here and get us a win.

Thats a picture we havent been able to sell since at least 2011.
 
#44      

gibb52

G
gibb52
Lunt was bad. It should be clear by now he's not a program changing talent. The receivers didn't help with several dropped passes but goodness sakes a bunch of Lunt's throws were just awful.

Horrible lack of execution. Had we simply avoided many of the penalties this game would have been much more competitive.

Defense was spotty, played well in bursts but gave up a lot of big plays. That's what happens when they have more good athletes than you do.

I had this penciled in as a loss anyway. I'm mildly dissapointed with the way they played but let's move on to WMU.
 
#47      

BigStan97

B
Cincinnati OH
BigStan97
Heck the offsides penalties and the illegal formation/illegal shift formation penalties alone was more then enough. Those are all pre snap penalities that a team cannot have in any game.

Take those out/ fix that, we are already in s much better situation in this game.

McGee is not the problem. Wide recievers not getting open and Lunt forced to look at his 3rd and 4th target in his progression and check downs is what was painful to watch.
 
#48      

Sal Iacuzzo

S
Yonkers, NY
Sal Iacuzzo
SixthandWhite said:
The good:

1- the crowd- first sellout in 5 years. It was plenty loud while the game was competitive. Sadly, I'm sure that familiar sinking feeling started to creep in when the game got out of hand. Don't lose hope yet Illini fans, good things are around the corner.

2- Hardy Nickerson Jr- I have no idea how our defense would function without him, he made a lot of great tackles tonight. Please stay healthy!

3- Kendrick Foster- really put together another great performance against much tougher competition. Ran hard and showed shiftiness, so glad he didn't transfer. Vaughn had a good game as well, you gotta take what the defense gives and all that (it doesn't help that things went downhill quickly in the second half). Run offense will hopefully continue to improve (get well soon Gabe).

The bad:

1- our passing game- Lunt didn't want to set his feet and stand tall in the pocket, when he did deliver the ball it was frequently dropped (I counted at least 4 drops). Our receivers couldn't get open at all, resulting in numerous dumpoffs and short drives. Malik Turner was our leading receiver (3 catches, 33 yards), Lunt really couldn't find a thyme with anyone. This has to improve if we're gonna go bowling this year.

2- punting- with one notable exception (pinning them at the 2), the punting game was just about awful. I hope Frain is able to make it back by Western Michigan.

3- The penalties and miscues- for a while I thought I was watching a Ron Zook team. Hitting the opposing player in the facemask with the ref right beside you, are you kidding me?!?! The late hits, offsides, and illegal formations are not the hallmarks of NFL caliber coaching. Also, the game really turned on Lunt fumbling that ball for no reason and gifting them 7 points and all of the momentum.

I believe these penalties and miscues will all improve soon, but that factor more than any other is why we lost by 4 scores rather than 1 or 2. Let's rebound and beat the hell out of WMU :chief:
Click to expand...

I don't think the punting was a problem. Remember we were trying to keep the ball away from one of the greatest punt returners in NCAA history.
 
#50      

Sybok

S
Sybok
chief2007 said:
No problems with the refs - Illinois deserved all the penalties - coaching needs to clean up the play calling and discipline of the team.
Click to expand...
Officiating comments likely have little to do with what was called on Illinois, and more to do with what they didn't call on UNC. They were terrible. It wouldn't change the outcome of the game. UNC had superior speed.