BZuppke
- Plainfield
Stop
Northwestern 45, Illinois 43 Postgame
Agreed. We hang 43 points on NW and it still translates to a loss. It was a rough year marked by a lack of discipline, mental mistakes, and stupid penalties - Illinois 749 to our Opp 573. We're what... -8 on turnovers? That's poison. We're 25 of 36 for TD's in redzone with Opp 34 of 53; we let opponents get into our redzone 53 times to our 36??? Opp out-rushed us 1802 to our 1517 yards. We improved in passing being roughly equal with opponents and leading them in total passing yards 3175 to 2737. I think it really was a case of us beating ourselves. That was just a very disappointing football season from the first to the last game. Transfer QB breathed some life into the team on the back end which was nice for a change. Damn shame we turned the ball over so much today to lose today but Northwestern was clearly the better team and that sucks.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
Well I’ve been watching since the Mike White years. Bret is the best coach we’ve had since him - and his plus 16 (18?) in points v power 5 his first three seasons shows a level of competitiveness we haven’t seen since the 1980s. We lost our last two games by a total of 4 points.
Outside tOSU/scUM and to a lesser extent PedU - what do our Big Ten rivals have on us? Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, IU, MSU et al? Nothing. Bret is building something here and it’s simply not showing up in wins and losses yet.
My two coaching criticisms are as follows:
Offense is too conservative at times. At Iowa we stopped doing what got us the lead and it lost the game for us when we couldn’t sustain a late drive. Today?? Why weren’t we more aggressive and using some of those deep crossing routes earlier that got us 218 yards by CW?
Defense - again not aggressive enough. Two sacks today? And we rarely blitz.
Finally most of you naysayers predicted 6-6 this year. We’re one game off of that. Stay the course. In Bret I believe.
Outside tOSU/scUM and to a lesser extent PedU - what do our Big Ten rivals have on us? Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, IU, MSU et al? Nothing. Bret is building something here and it’s simply not showing up in wins and losses yet.
My two coaching criticisms are as follows:
Offense is too conservative at times. At Iowa we stopped doing what got us the lead and it lost the game for us when we couldn’t sustain a late drive. Today?? Why weren’t we more aggressive and using some of those deep crossing routes earlier that got us 218 yards by CW?
Defense - again not aggressive enough. Two sacks today? And we rarely blitz.
Finally most of you naysayers predicted 6-6 this year. We’re one game off of that. Stay the course. In Bret I believe.
blackdog
- Champaign
Coming in to this game Nortwestern had 11 fumbles and recovered all but 1 of them. My friend heard a stat that around 65% of fumbles are lost. Why is that program blessed like that?
On the final 2 pt conversion, I understand defensive holding isn’t reviewable by rule and we got the short end of the stick on that one. But I actually think that play could be used to lobby for a rule change.
To me, replay is most useful for objective (ie was the guys foot in bounds or not, was the runner’s knee down before the fumble, did the ball hit the ground, etc) vs subjective (ie was there holding, dpi, etc) calls. And while DPI/defensive holding are subjective, once a ref determines enough contact has occurred to throw a flag, whether or not the ball is still in the quarterback’s hands is an objective call and should be reviewable.
And it’s not just a tipped ball scenario like we had today. If you’re on offense and defense gets flagged for holding, you should be able to challenge that the contact occurred after the ball was released and you’re entitled to 15 yards for DPI vs 10. And if you’re on defense and get flagged for DPI, you should be able to challenge that the contact occurred before the ball was released and you should only be penalized 10 yards. There are plenty of times where that 5 yards makes a big difference. And of course today cost us another shot at tying the game up which we were pretty clearly entitled to.
That said, not the reason we lost the game today. Untimely turnovers and inability to get stops in the red zone were our undoing.
To me, replay is most useful for objective (ie was the guys foot in bounds or not, was the runner’s knee down before the fumble, did the ball hit the ground, etc) vs subjective (ie was there holding, dpi, etc) calls. And while DPI/defensive holding are subjective, once a ref determines enough contact has occurred to throw a flag, whether or not the ball is still in the quarterback’s hands is an objective call and should be reviewable.
And it’s not just a tipped ball scenario like we had today. If you’re on offense and defense gets flagged for holding, you should be able to challenge that the contact occurred after the ball was released and you’re entitled to 15 yards for DPI vs 10. And if you’re on defense and get flagged for DPI, you should be able to challenge that the contact occurred before the ball was released and you should only be penalized 10 yards. There are plenty of times where that 5 yards makes a big difference. And of course today cost us another shot at tying the game up which we were pretty clearly entitled to.
That said, not the reason we lost the game today. Untimely turnovers and inability to get stops in the red zone were our undoing.
My fear is that a few of our better players are going to enter the portal and Bielma won't be able to get players as good or better to replace them. And I think the overall quality of the total recruiting class for this year won't be any better than last year's. I don't think Bielma is going to get the job done. I'm not impressed with his skill set of hiring assistants.
Off topic, I'm really impressed with the job Dink has done at Mizzou. I'm surprised his name isn't being mentioned for other jobs. I guess AD's want to see him put 2 good years back to back.
Off topic, I'm really impressed with the job Dink has done at Mizzou. I'm surprised his name isn't being mentioned for other jobs. I guess AD's want to see him put 2 good years back to back.
Yeah that was brutal. Can’t recall the TV officiating expert so matter of factor saying such a call was a mistake like that he did on that one.
But like you said, so much blame to go around today (and this season actually) I guess that isn’t my focus.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
I am sad. In a vacuum, this was bad. But the road that lies ahead, I’m not sure how we can expect to be making bowl games. We squandered away our best opportunities.
We are not a serious program if Aaron Henry is the D coordinator next season. BB's coordinator hires have been horrendous, and he should only be given one more shot. Probably too late at this point anyway. If we haven't passed up Purdue, NW, and NE by now, probably will not happen and we are relegated to the basement of the B10. Sad but true. Just a disaster of a season losing to those three programs this year.
This game was lost when you take momentum with a TD, kick off into the end zone, then proceed to let them march down the field in 1 minute to not only score, but to score a TD before the half. Inexcusable defensively, I don't care who you throw out on the field.
This game was lost when you take momentum with a TD, kick off into the end zone, then proceed to let them march down the field in 1 minute to not only score, but to score a TD before the half. Inexcusable defensively, I don't care who you throw out on the field.
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If this team doesn't have major internal offensive and defensive changes in the off season, to coaching staff don't expect things to be better. The teams coming in will run over this Illinois Football team. I will suffer with them!!!!
When you think about it, losing this game was really for the best. This way, NONE of our players will get hurt during the bowl game. 🫤
Feel bad? I love all of our guys, but a couple of those players leaving made plays that were directly to poor outcomes. The coaches absolutely deserve criticism, but the players play the game. Today alone, we can point to more than a couple of absolutely demoralizing plays that had nothing to do with coaching.
Sick of hearing BB excuses and saying "We'll evaluate things and clean it all up". And "I have to do a better job to put the players in a position to win." Some of these players make mistakes like dropped passes, fumbles, fumbled fair catches, defensive backfield missed assignments, penalties, etc, etc, etc. BB and the coaches aren't fumbling the ball, but they aren't coaching up the players doing it either. Too many dumb mistakes by Illini special teams and Offense that NW alertly took advantage of.
The defensive backfield is a total mess. They either hold, interfere, or are not in any position to deny the catch. They seem to be in the wrong defense at the most inopportune times, so Aaron Henry has to go. The OL got some better as the season went along, but really got manhandled too often. The bright spot of the whole season was John Paddock so why didn't the coaches "discover" him sooner? And the BIG officials are abysmal. The 2 point non-holding flag pick up was ridiculous. The NW D back was holding before the ball was tipped so there was no justification for picking up that flag. They held the whole game but the refs looked the other way.
The defensive backfield is a total mess. They either hold, interfere, or are not in any position to deny the catch. They seem to be in the wrong defense at the most inopportune times, so Aaron Henry has to go. The OL got some better as the season went along, but really got manhandled too often. The bright spot of the whole season was John Paddock so why didn't the coaches "discover" him sooner? And the BIG officials are abysmal. The 2 point non-holding flag pick up was ridiculous. The NW D back was holding before the ball was tipped so there was no justification for picking up that flag. They held the whole game but the refs looked the other way.
This was definitely an entertaining season. Kept me watching and in the stands. I hated how we lost so many games, but how close were we to having 8 to 9 wins this year? So close, yet so far.
Just think, WHAT IF:
1. Our running Backs were healthy this year?
2. Paddock was able to beat out Altmyer in Fall Camp?
3. Our O line could get us 1 yard in 2 downs?
4. Our secondary stayed healthy?
5. We held on to the ball just a wee bit better?
6. The refs didn't suck so bad so often?
Change 1 or 2 of these and I think we have a very different outcome.
Just think, WHAT IF:
1. Our running Backs were healthy this year?
2. Paddock was able to beat out Altmyer in Fall Camp?
3. Our O line could get us 1 yard in 2 downs?
4. Our secondary stayed healthy?
5. We held on to the ball just a wee bit better?
6. The refs didn't suck so bad so often?
Change 1 or 2 of these and I think we have a very different outcome.
I thought Paddock was the story of the year. It was such a joy to watch. With the ground game nonexistent, the season could have been really ugly. I hope Altmyer can get close to what we saw this year from Paddock.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Illinois falls to Northwestern in football season finale
A couple muffed kicks and defensive miscues kept Illinois from bowl eligibility while it ended the year with a loss to Northwestern.
We will not have a more talented and experienced front 7 than we did this year for years and years and we couldn't get enough pressure on the QB - problem was scheme and play calling.
Our secondary was young and inexperienced but looked as lost in game 12 as game 1 - problem was coaching/ teaching (and /or lack of intelligence/talent of players)
When problems are caused by coaching/teaching and scheme/play calling we need changes in defensive coaches.
Illinois just couldn't get out of their own way. Fumbles, interceptions, dropped wide open passes, Personal fouls-running their mouths, couldn't emotions, gave up long yardage situations on 3rd down. Everything that could go wrong this year did! Looking forward all these issues must be addressed each and everyday, when you make mistakes like this you are not going to win. Offensive line wasn't good, defense was worse. Just glad they didn't go to a bowl and further embarrass the University!
I'm pissed at myself for falling for the preseason hype once again.
I really agree with this. Yea I would like to win, but we have been very competitive all year long.! it has been since White and Macovic since that was the case.I’m gonna conclude my football season with this:
Last year was obviously exciting for how well the team did.
This year, while from 10000 feet above was a disappointment, was possibly the most entertaining football season I’ve ever watched as an Illini fan. Would I had preferred to win every game by 40? Yea. But good lord… every game this season (well most) was must see TV from kickoff to final whistle. Not Zook, Not Beckman, and Not Lovie ever provided the consistently entertaining product the way bielema has the past two years. I wish there wasn’t so much riding on winning because the entertainment value alone is worth the admission.
The season was a moderate failure (maybe even huge failure), but there were absolutely bright spots. And, I still feel positive about the future of the program. There’s just going to still be pains along the way.
I trust Bret… 97% of the time. I love listening to him talk about football, Illinois, and honestly anything. He seems way more knowledgeable than the last three coaches put together.
Now, hit the recruiting trail, hit the portal, and bring us some pieces.
Until next year (or as soon as the sting goes away), I’m signing out.
If I don’t check in before next July-ish, my family will get our season tickets again next year… for the 20th year in a row. We’ll see you at memorial stadium!
I-L-L!
illini80
- Forgottonia
Honestly I never expected to win this game. I knew we had a chance, but NW is decent and our wins have mostly taken some good fortune to happen. Our losses took bad fortune too, but we caused a good part of that. However, to score 43 points and still find a way to lose was more than I could take. I’m still down today and we are decorating for Christmas for crying out loud! Priorities man. Life will go on. I hope we can address our weaknesses and be a much tougher team mentally next year. Thank you to all the seniors who have given so much to the program and best of luck to them in their futures whatever it holds. I still believe in Bret and know he will work hard to get better. Go Illini.
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Almost 400 yards offense by NU......Illinois used to pride ourselves on First Class D......hoping for some major shuffling on Coach B's staff. Henry got to be gone....
IlliniFanHere
- New York
Miscues, and 4th Quarter fall apart....seems the way the season went. Cant see this defensive staff in place for another year of undisciplined play and sloppy tackles. Backs seem to play zone and give up the middle, switch to man and a little juke move and out guys are left in the dust. I'm afrain to look at the 2024 schedule if this staff stays.