Jim Leonhard was 2023. That said, I’d want Brenda to call him today and see if he’s available after February.
Washington 42, Illinois 25 Postgame
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I think the transfer portal crap makes it hard for most teams to have depth. 2nd string guys don't stick around to develop, they transfer to a new school. That means you have either inexperienced or under-talented guys in your backup roles, and if you get to 3rd string, woof. We have been to 3rd string in our secondary.
I also think Henry has done a poor job. If you know your secondary is a liability, you've got to get some pressure on the QB, and we don't do that either. I don't think we have the horses this year, which greatly adds to the struggles, but getting players is part of the job in college.
I also think Henry has done a poor job. If you know your secondary is a liability, you've got to get some pressure on the QB, and we don't do that either. I don't think we have the horses this year, which greatly adds to the struggles, but getting players is part of the job in college.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
This is the point that needs to be made. There simply will not be many Indiana like stories. It’s a freak of college football. That being said, the counter point carries a lot of weight: This new era of NIL and the portal change everything.
I just don't know what gives Jacas the opportunity to be impactful with our defense. Our scheme is designed to have zero pressure on the QB. I know it's because they want to contain the QB run, but that's the reality. You essentially take your best player out of the game.
Firing Henry now could really give this fanbase and the locker room a boost. Show us how serious you really are. Talk is cheap
I think it is easier now than ever to make historic turnarounds. Cignetti is obviously an elite coach. However, in the past Indiana just wouldn't have been capable of getting the talent needed to win like they have. Now with the transfer portal you can get 4 star guys that aren't playing because they're behind 5 star guys, and you can buy talent you wouldn't have been able to get before.
I think in this new world, there is a premium on coaches that excel at the Xs and Os, because talent is easier to get than ever before, if you have a big enough checkbook.
This is what I don't understand. Especially when you're already down, you have this guy whose whole thing is making big, gamechanging plays on defense and you just continue to let him get double, triple teamed. The "keep the QB in the pocket" thing wasn't working anyway and we were down multiple scores. Just throw a couple extra guys at their pass protection so they have to take Jacas on 1-v-1 and at least give him a chance to make a play.
I think Bret is a good coach, but I'm not sure he'll get it right. I thought he should have found a better DC last year. I'm not sure he'll let Henry go. I definitely hope you're right and I'm wrong.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
The issue is when you don’t have a really talented defense overall, you have to find a way to maximize your best player and take your chances. The current scheme totally neuters him and forces the worst part of the defense to make a lot of plays. It’s just a bad way to run a defense.
This and “drop coverage” in basketball make my head spin.
Sustained competence. You hit the nail on the head. I am old enough to have watched Illinois defeat Washington in the Rose Bowl on NBC color TV on January 1, of 1964. And sustained competence is something that has rarely occurred in the Illinois football program in the ensuing 61 years.
I'm sorry I can't let this play go. It's honestly beyond comprehension what is going on here.
Illinois had just closed to within 10, 35-25. Many jokingly said after the score "meh, just onsides kick" Sure enough the 2 plays after the kickoff are a 20 yard pass and a 15 yard penalty and boom, Washington at our 40. Anyhoo, UW has 3rd and 6 at our 35, 9:27 to go
Pre-snap 3 WRs up top to start originally, #12 shifts to behind the TE, #1 on Illini followed as well and is in those blue arrows. #7 then goes in motion, Illini DB follows him
Just after snap. 3 guys "rushing" the passer. 3 guys in the red area now covering #7 the WR in motion. 3 guys in blue that I can only assume are spying Williams, but legit they are just standing there, not making any moves whatsoever. In Yellow we have man coverage on #81. Also a deep safety not in the camera shot. that's the guy that eventually tackles #12, I assume he's providing help on #81 in yellow. But, does anyone cover #12? Lol. No.
Just to sum up, this is basically a 2 man route. 81 starts up top and does a post/corner towards the right. 12 crosses underneath from right to left. It wasn't like two defenders got caught up in the crossers, there was literally no one that paid any attention at all to 12. #7 went in motion to bottom but basically stops.
Williams throws. 3 man rush doesn't do anything whatsoever. Still man coverage in yellow, UW receiver has a step and probably open, but safety not in screen probably helping on that route. #7 stopped at the bottom, doesn't make any moves upfield at all. But, we got 3 guys on him. And 3 guys spying Williams. And #12 completely, utterly wide open such that I could throw the worst floating duck of all time and still get it to him for an easy 15-20 yard gain.
No one spying Williams on 3rd and 18, but now 3 guys spying him. Rushing 3 again which had not worked all day. 3 guys in red tracking a single WR.
Make it make sense. What in the world is this?
Illinois had just closed to within 10, 35-25. Many jokingly said after the score "meh, just onsides kick" Sure enough the 2 plays after the kickoff are a 20 yard pass and a 15 yard penalty and boom, Washington at our 40. Anyhoo, UW has 3rd and 6 at our 35, 9:27 to go
Pre-snap 3 WRs up top to start originally, #12 shifts to behind the TE, #1 on Illini followed as well and is in those blue arrows. #7 then goes in motion, Illini DB follows him
Just after snap. 3 guys "rushing" the passer. 3 guys in the red area now covering #7 the WR in motion. 3 guys in blue that I can only assume are spying Williams, but legit they are just standing there, not making any moves whatsoever. In Yellow we have man coverage on #81. Also a deep safety not in the camera shot. that's the guy that eventually tackles #12, I assume he's providing help on #81 in yellow. But, does anyone cover #12? Lol. No.
Just to sum up, this is basically a 2 man route. 81 starts up top and does a post/corner towards the right. 12 crosses underneath from right to left. It wasn't like two defenders got caught up in the crossers, there was literally no one that paid any attention at all to 12. #7 went in motion to bottom but basically stops.
Williams throws. 3 man rush doesn't do anything whatsoever. Still man coverage in yellow, UW receiver has a step and probably open, but safety not in screen probably helping on that route. #7 stopped at the bottom, doesn't make any moves upfield at all. But, we got 3 guys on him. And 3 guys spying Williams. And #12 completely, utterly wide open such that I could throw the worst floating duck of all time and still get it to him for an easy 15-20 yard gain.
No one spying Williams on 3rd and 18, but now 3 guys spying him. Rushing 3 again which had not worked all day. 3 guys in red tracking a single WR.
Make it make sense. What in the world is this?
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to be fair... i'm okay with being the worst 10-3 team in college football LMAO
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
yikes. Is that a coaching or execution issue?
That's your standard Ahen 3-3-3 cluster zone. 3 (non) rushers, 3 slow, unagressive linebackers, and 3 non-participant observers. Super innovative.
Seriously, this is the play BB specifically referenced in his press conference if I'm not mistaken. It made quite an impression on him. And hopefully that leads to some tangible actions to make things better.
There were only two Huskies beyond the line of scrimmage and 8ish Illini...
That's amazing.
Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Bret slow on dumping AH.....I think maybe it's a emotional thing...BUT.....his performance is way way poor.. llinois is surrendering 39.6 points per game in conference play, good for dead last in the Big Ten. Last in the Big Ten No. 111 in the nation in passing defense. Time to make a move at DC.....
The first pick in the second half was a killer. We had no problem moving the ball against WU… and again we were driving… that is a 10-14 point turn around pick.
I hear what you're saying but without him, this game would have been ugly. Under duress all day but made some amazing throws to keep the chains moving. He was the leading rusher. The interception on the pass to Beatty was as good a throw as you can make...just couldn't come down with it. Without a run-game, and knowing we had to score 50 pts to win, I don't know what else he could have done.
Speak for yourself lol the thought of us, Illinois football, actually living up to expectations this year was low when you really think about it
MustangWally
- Mayfield
As I have already stated, I mistakenly said "we", as I had no expectations that this team was playoff caliber. I was referring to many of the Illini faithful who posted about going 10-2, 11-1, or even 12-0. I was not among them. Sorry for the confusion. I hope you didn't hurt yourself with your loud laughter. I've been a fan since 1969. We lost every game that year. I saw us get pummeled by UCLA in the 1984 Rose Bowl. I know what to expect from Illinois football.
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It always comes back to coaching
SKane
- Tennessee
Post of the day.
Hmmm reminds me of 2023... when we should have fired Henry the first time.
Fun times reminiscing. Nothing like going into 2025 and wasting our only CFP QBs opportunity to shine by employing a DC who is quite literally the worst in P4.
Hope once we get to bowl season he is relieved of his duties to just rip the bandaid.
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