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[Photos by Greg Taylor]
They will need to fix many broken
aspects of their game IF they intend to get back into the playoff
hunt. Right now I would have to label their play very disappointing
at best. Maybe the aura of the Illini is hovering over the stadium
too much at this juncture, but they sure missed an opportunity —
with a national spotlight cast on this game — to show what they
could be, and they remained as predictable as you could imagine. I’m
not paid by any NFL team to scout or analyze, but if a nut like me
can tell you what play or defensive call is coming up next, YOU are
with an NFL team that is in some serious trouble.
While the Bears do have games with
Detroit and Minnesota looming on the horizon after a bye week, a
split right now sounds better than some alternatives. However, there
IS STILL time to right the ship. IF they could get back on track and
win both, then you never know where that might take them. Getting
away from ultraconservative play-calling would be one step in the
right direction. More aggressive defense, complete with many more
blitzes, would also be something that ought to at least be tried.
It’s hard for NFL QBs to throw TD passes while lying on their backs!
I know that my many Bear-fan friends
would like to see an IMMEDIATE turnaround, and I hope that happens
for their sake… The prospects of that just don’t look all that
strong to this onlooker at this point.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
 Breaking
news...
While Illini football has faded since
opening day, Brian Cook and his cast of Illini basketball hoopsters
are going through the paces, readying themselves for action so that
they don’t repeat the football team’s showing thus far. LDN staffers
were on hand to watch some NCAA-approved 3-on-3 drills, and Cook was
right in the middle of the action, teaching newcomers Augustino,
Spears, Williams and others what it will take to get the job done in
rugged Big Ten play. It is exciting and gratifying watching him help
the younger Illini recruits! Brian has worked hard throughout his
career and deserves good things to happen for him. I hope he stays
healthy and has a banner season.
Whatever happens, Brian, thanks for the
wonderful memories you’ve given us, and thanks for representing your
family and Lincoln so well over the last three years. We are all so
proud of you! Good luck, and as always, GO ILLINI.
For you
really big fans... Midnight Madness is set for this Friday night at
Huff Hall Gym. Admission is FREE and doors open at 10 p.m.!!! [See
announcement.]
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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However, I don’t pick for a living…
obviously! I had been on such a big roll for the last two years, but
I still wasn’t thinking of quitting my day job. I just felt like the
St. Louis Cardinals needed home field advantage to be successful
this year… with the starting staff as beaten up as it is and having
to face not one, but two Cy Young candidates in the persons of Curt
Schilling and Randy Johnson.
Little did I know that Matt Morris and
Chuck Finley would do their own imitations of the dynamic duo.
Little did I know that Andy Benes would continue to pitch like he
did when he was a kid. Little did I know that our bullpen would
bring back memories of Whitey’s pen: Todd Worrell, Ken Dayley, Rick
Horton, Pat Perry, Jeff Lahti and Bill Campbell. That Fernando Vina
would just onload his many offensive weapons. That we wouldn’t have
to face Curt and Randy more than once. I was just plain out and out
wrong!
BUT, I couldn’t be happier. When I was
young I discovered the many superstitions involved in the game of
baseball, and I used many of them during my playing and coaching
days. With that being said… I’m staying with my prediction that,
whoever the Cards play, the Braves or the Giants will whip St. Louis
in four games. I sure hope I’m wrong for at least two more series!
Other
Redbirds on a roll
Led by the stellar running of halfback
Quincy Washington and the excellent receiving of Dwayne Smith and
Vito Goulson, the ISU Redbirds hammered the SMSU Bears 33-20 on
homecoming Saturday, and the game was NOT that close! Washington
romped for 167 yards on a gutsy 33 carries and he tallied two
touchdowns. Vito had his catches, but teammate Smith came down with
five receptions for 64 yards and a TD of his own. Not to be outdone,
the Redbird defense pounded the Bears time after time for big
losses, especially on third down situations. I hope the Illini
scouts are attending these games! ISU is now 3-2 on the season and
1-0 in Gateway Conference play, while the Bears slipped to 3-3 and
0-2.
My son was also impressed with
paratroopers who dropped in from a helicopter from 4,000 feet above
Hancock stadium and just happened to bring the game ball with them.
He also REALLY likes the ISU band and of course, REGGIE Redbird,
whom he got to meet just before kickoff!
ISU faces a stiff test next time out as
they try to handle a very solid Western Illinois football team.
And speaking of the Illini, did they
play football somewhere? Did you see the effort or lack thereof the
last few weeks? It is hard to watch and even harder to cover. I
think I speak for the whole platoon when I say that we’re giving
that same kind of effort here in our coverage. Enough said!
Railers REALLY good
I think some people thought we were
just being a "homer" when we said that the RAILER volleyball team
looked to have all the "makings" during the preseason. Well, that’s
our story and we’re stickin’ with it! After polishing off this
week’s victims, the Lady Railers now stand at 17-2, 2-0. IF they
stay healthy and focused, you might want to ride this bandwagon. I
see good things for this team… as well as for Hartem, Mount Pulaski
and Warrensburg. What is it about this area that we produce so many
outstanding volleyball players?
[to top of second column in this
article] |
The LCHS football guys had some tough
sledding against SHG. But with as many injuries as this team has
had, it’s hard to produce wins when you’re short-handed. I’m still
hoping for another win or two out of these guys!
Speaking
of volleyball…
LCC’s volleyball team has been
dominating their competition. They ripped through another set of
opponents this past weekend to win yet another tournament and upped
their record to 23-3 in the process. They ARE the No. 1-ranked team
in the nation according to the latest NCCAA poll! Breanne Prunty was
named the tourney’s MVP, and Christen O’Malley and Bethany Scheel
were selected to the all-tourney team.
More
wrong predictions…
After having a two-year run of luck, I
haven’t picked one baseball winner yet. I had the D’backs, the
Yankees and the A’s… I wonder IF this is why my stock portfolio is
struggling… IF you’re a broker out there, give me a call before it’s
too late!!!
Carroll
baseball
The Carroll Catholic junior high
baseball team lost a heartbreaking 2-1 thriller versus Princeville
this past weekend. It was the only loss the Crusaders suffered
the entire season. Congratulations on a fine year!
"FANdamonium"
LIVE from Champaign-Urbana tonight…
So, that will probably make it nigh to
impossible for you to call in tonight with your question, comment or
answer to our wacky trivia questions! Anyway, we hope to bring you
the sights, the sounds, the smells (well, maybe NOT all the smells)
and the stuff to make your pre-"Monday Night Football" routine more
exciting than ever! We will be coming to you live on the LDN webcast,
WFIX-96.3 FM and CITV Channel 5 here on the local cable affiliate.
We will be broadcasting from the Christian Campus House on the
corner of Oregon and Lincoln Avenue in Urbana. SO, if you get to the
game early, come on by and help us host the show! We hope this is
one of the funnest events of the year!
Have a great
week, everybody!!!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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By Jeff
Mayfield