We should get Randolph back for Minny and the final stretch so you never know.
Wisconsin 25, Illinois 21 Postgame
The D has been decent this season but the 3rd Down D was horrible in this game. Wisconsin was 10-17 on 3rd down conversions and most of those were on scoring drives.
First half up 14-0 and we give up a 3rd down and 10 in which they score a TD on the drive
3rd quarter they convert a 3rd and 7, 3rd and 5 and 4th and 1 which sets up a FG
4th quarter give up a 3rd and 6 and 3rd and 1 for a TD drive
4th quarter give up a 3rd and 1, 3rd and 10 and score winning TD on 3rd and Goal
I have been critical of Lunney Jr. I thought the offense was efficient, moved the chains and some new wrinkles were thrown into the mix. Same result in points scored as usual.
This didn't cost us the game but this is how the season is going. Rewind and replay the Wisconsin TD at 1:35 about 3 times. Defender is in perfect position, communicated that receiver is going to middle and is in perfect position for an INT or at at worst knock the ball down. Execution..........
First half up 14-0 and we give up a 3rd down and 10 in which they score a TD on the drive
3rd quarter they convert a 3rd and 7, 3rd and 5 and 4th and 1 which sets up a FG
4th quarter give up a 3rd and 6 and 3rd and 1 for a TD drive
4th quarter give up a 3rd and 1, 3rd and 10 and score winning TD on 3rd and Goal
I have been critical of Lunney Jr. I thought the offense was efficient, moved the chains and some new wrinkles were thrown into the mix. Same result in points scored as usual.
This didn't cost us the game but this is how the season is going. Rewind and replay the Wisconsin TD at 1:35 about 3 times. Defender is in perfect position, communicated that receiver is going to middle and is in perfect position for an INT or at at worst knock the ball down. Execution..........
Overall, I agree. But way too much reliance on QB runs IMHO. Granted, some of those were scrambles due to pressure (a recurring problem), but we can't rely on that so much going forward. Solid game for Luke, but we are one wrong footed plant away from being rudderless if he gets hurt . . .
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
A couple days removed from the game, I have to say that the energy of the crowd, the weather, and the play of the team (for 3Q at least) made for a very enjoyable afternoon. When I bought tix, it wasn’t hard for me to imagine a 40 degree rainy afternoon where we get blown out by 30+. Hell, I expected that. I want to say I couldn’t have asked for a better game but I am greedy and feel cheated out of a win.
There are so many saying “definitely targeting” and so many others saying “definitely not.” At worst, that’s a 50/50 bang bang call with zero malicious intent. For it to cost us 30 yards (not even counting the sack yardage and potential fumble recovery) plus losing our best player for the rest of this game and first half of next game for making a football play is on another level of ridiculous I can’t even fathom. It’s a short season and our best player is going to miss 3 quarters because Wisconsin could do LITERALLY NOTHING to contain him. If they called unnecessary roughness and left it at 15 yards and that was it I would probably be mad but not for days. And for those saying that we need to be able to overcome calls like that, why? We are Illinois football and need as much help as we can get. What questionable calls did the Badgers have to overcome? Ya know, since they have been head and shoulders better than us for 2+ decades and were on the road during our homecoming. Not saying any of those things should factor into us getting favorable calls but it seems to factor in for just about every other team.
We can blame the coaches and that’s fair. We can blame player execution in several plays and that’s fair too. It just felt like we we were far and away the better team on Saturday and just had about everything to wrong in the 4th (much of it our doing) and still only lost by 4 with 30 seconds to go.
In spite of that rant, what a memorable Saturday it was and I’m glad I was able to attend. Also I’m very proud of the team (players and coaches) for how they’ve responded the past two weeks after the season looked dead in the water. Yeah, wins matter, but I hope the team is taking some time to pat themselves on the back for the progress they’ve made this month. Good job, guys. Hope they can take the next step which will be consistently turning good performances into victories, and not just the moral kind.
There are so many saying “definitely targeting” and so many others saying “definitely not.” At worst, that’s a 50/50 bang bang call with zero malicious intent. For it to cost us 30 yards (not even counting the sack yardage and potential fumble recovery) plus losing our best player for the rest of this game and first half of next game for making a football play is on another level of ridiculous I can’t even fathom. It’s a short season and our best player is going to miss 3 quarters because Wisconsin could do LITERALLY NOTHING to contain him. If they called unnecessary roughness and left it at 15 yards and that was it I would probably be mad but not for days. And for those saying that we need to be able to overcome calls like that, why? We are Illinois football and need as much help as we can get. What questionable calls did the Badgers have to overcome? Ya know, since they have been head and shoulders better than us for 2+ decades and were on the road during our homecoming. Not saying any of those things should factor into us getting favorable calls but it seems to factor in for just about every other team.
We can blame the coaches and that’s fair. We can blame player execution in several plays and that’s fair too. It just felt like we we were far and away the better team on Saturday and just had about everything to wrong in the 4th (much of it our doing) and still only lost by 4 with 30 seconds to go.
In spite of that rant, what a memorable Saturday it was and I’m glad I was able to attend. Also I’m very proud of the team (players and coaches) for how they’ve responded the past two weeks after the season looked dead in the water. Yeah, wins matter, but I hope the team is taking some time to pat themselves on the back for the progress they’ve made this month. Good job, guys. Hope they can take the next step which will be consistently turning good performances into victories, and not just the moral kind.
No doubt. I have been very critical of Lunney Jr and still am. Problem is if you take the scrambles away than we have an average Big Ten QB. Wind played into gameplan as he was efficient scrambling and short passing game.
Former OC Petersen was horrible and Lunney Jr is better than him. I am not sold on Lunney Jr being the guy either.
Big Ten games only under Petersen and Lunney Jr (offensive points only)
Petersen 4-5 with 18.3 points/game
Lunney Jr 6-8 with 20.4 points/game
First 5 Big Ten games with Lunney Jr.....Illinois 4-1 and offense 23.0 points/game
Last 9 Big Ten games with Lunney Jr......Illinois 2-7 and offense 18.9 points/game
Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana and Northwestern left. Time for something to change....either more points or a move
I like this idea a lot. Like flagrant fouls in basketball, so that someone doesn't have to miss a whole game for a play like Newton's. It could get hairy with some of the judgement calls that could be made, but this has to be better than what we have now.
Great post overall, describing a wonderful afternoon.
Where I’d quibble (maybe?) is the idea of unnecessary roughness or even roughing the passer. When the QB is standing there holding the ball, hoping to find a receiver to unload it, can’t you try to smother him and strip the ball? If not targeting (and we’ve seen arguments pro/con), then wasn’t it simple a very strong play on the ball and the player holding it insecurely? I mean that as a question —- I’m no rules expert.
I think Newton was channeling Butkus on that play.
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
I don’t think it deserved an unnecessary roughness or RTP through my very biased lens. I was just trying to say that maybe we could’ve overcome a questionable 15 yard penalty called against us in that moment. But a questionable 30 yard penalty that gets our best player tossed with a quarter to go is tough for any team to overcome, let alone a team that historically is in the cellar more often than the T25.
Also, thanks for sharing your photos from the game earlier in the thread. There’s a lot of negativity going on in this thread (for good reason) but it was great to see others enjoyed the day as much as I did.
Obviously Newton should have chosen a different tackle technique - just tomahawk down on the ball, wrap him up stripping the ball, anything but hitting him high or low and he would have been fine and likely still gotten the ball out given the QB didn't see him coming at all. But he also just has a split second to decide these things
You can still have roughing the passer in college if there is contact to the head or neck area that doesn't qualify for targeting - which frankly this tackle likely fit that definition. Newton was making a football play, the QB still had the ball and he pushed him down, there was helmet to head/neck contact so that could warrant a roughing call, no need for the ejection given it wasn't egregious and it was pretty clear there wasn't intent to use the helmet. The fact that they didn't even have to take the QB out of the game for concussion protocols almost in itself suggests it wasn't targeting - if there wasn't enough contact to warrant checking him why call targeting in that situation? Replays always make it look worse than it was
Was it Jack Lambert who said QB's should wear dresses? If what Newton did was wrong, they should just have the QB's wear a different colored jersey and not allow them to be touched
cubsanddonuts
- Louisville, KY
In fairness, Wisky was 5-12 on 3rd downs before Newton’s ejection. That isn’t great from the defensive side, but certainly not terrible. They were 5-5 after, so the stat is a bit skewed.
Just a couple of comments on the bolded text. We were penalized 15 yards on the play, not 30. Also, even if Newton hadn't been flagged, we were called for holding on the play so the sack yardage and fumble recovery are inconsequential
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Fantastic photos; thanks. I was unable to see the game and was only able to listen to the final three minutes. Am happy to see the EB largely filled and that it was a large crowd overall. Tough, frustrating loss. I hope that the boys rebound and use the week off to regroup and focus. I remain optimistic about their growth the rest of the way.The game took a disappointing turn, but the crowd, atmosphere, weather, and overall experience were superb, with over 54,000 in attendance. We were in the game to the end and most fans hung in there too. After returning home from a wonderful day, I started reading here, not always enhancing or encouraging.Zoom in closely enough and we'll find problems, but the program’s long-term trend is still positive. I intend to enjoy my game days knowing everybody is giving their best.
View attachment 28596 View attachment 28597
The student section hung in there too and were especially loud with a strong wind at their backs. Overall it was the best atmosphere I’ve seen in many years. Lots of smiles all around.
No doubt the DL was thin before the ejection. Not being able able to make in game adjustments and a make a stop without him is absurd. I get it if we are playing an offensive juggernaut, but playing at home against a first time starting QB where they played conservative majority of the game blows my mind.
3rd and goal TD play the defense wasn't within 10 yards of the receiver.
3rd and 10 Wisconsin trying to land 1st down with 2 downs. Caught Illinois off guard with 11 yard run for 1st down
Might be skewed but D wasn't prepared for either play with him on/off the field
The 30 yard difference is the yards Wisc would have lost in the sack and what they gained from the penalty. That’s the 30 yard swing. And that drive likely stops there.
The holding penalty was against Wisconsin. If roughing the passer is called, there are offsetting penalties. Play gets redone. We keep our brute on the field. I’d settle for that.
Was there a fumble recovery? I’ve lost that on the discussion of the targeting call. If there was, the call is HUGE. That’s the game right there.
Nope if his face mask would have hit his head it would been targeting. See exhibit A from this weekend. In Newton’s case the arms lead. He needed to go lower. Problem is you don’t want players going after knees. It is like the commercial can’t hit high can’t hit low
Bear Alexander picks up costly targeting penalty late against Utah
USC star defensive lineman Bear Alexander picks up a costly targeting penalty late against Utah, as the Utes stun the Trojans
The East stands looked like a lot showed up Saturday. I couldn’t go. Sick. My son took his fiancé to her very first Univ Illinois football game. She had a blast. Sad we lost.
When was the last time we had two td’s by tight ends in one game?
When was the last time we had two td’s by tight ends in one game?
i liked what i saw out of the offense in the first half.
with newton out and the D already missing randolph (and bailey for that matter), the offense needed to give us something, anything in that fourth quarter. they held on for dear life and reverted to things that barely worked last year with chase brown breaking three backfield tackles every snap. tight ends disappeared. nobody was ever open. i don't know what more luke could have done, he was placed in difficult situations time and time again. i found myself praising his decision making when he took sacks instead of throwing on the run to covered receivers after escaping a quickly-collapsed pocket. it was bleak.
with newton out and the D already missing randolph (and bailey for that matter), the offense needed to give us something, anything in that fourth quarter. they held on for dear life and reverted to things that barely worked last year with chase brown breaking three backfield tackles every snap. tight ends disappeared. nobody was ever open. i don't know what more luke could have done, he was placed in difficult situations time and time again. i found myself praising his decision making when he took sacks instead of throwing on the run to covered receivers after escaping a quickly-collapsed pocket. it was bleak.
sacraig
- The desert
Whoa, whoa, whoa... this thread is no place for positivity!
Last edited:
don't worry, it's cancelled out by how mad i am that we went away from a lot of what was working early
i'm as committed as any of you to a dour outlook
don't worry, it's cancelled out by how mad i am that we went away from a lot of what was working early
i'm as committed as any of you to a dour outlook
Thank you for your dedication. 