 That being said, don't underestimate the South Dakota team coming
into town next week, and I'm quite sure that the Illini will have
their collective hands full when the Arizona Sun Devils come to town
soon after that (they can have a Sun Devil and Illinois can't have
the Chief? -- I must be having a bad nightmare). But, let's don't
get ahead of ourselves, and let's celebrate the wins as they come.
First the win over the Arkansas State Indians... check that, the Red
Wolves (IF we keep this up, we could be on track to remove ALL
references to Indians and tribal nations, etc. within five years...
I sure hope the vocal minority will be happy then!). The Illini
seemed to be out of sync for a big portion of the first half,
failing to convert when they had to on both sides of the ball. The
one thing that was working was the running of Jason Ford, who
tallied 67 yards in the first quarter! Since Ford finished the game
with 86 yards on only 22 carries (that's good for almost four yards
per carry), give props to Arkansas State for both their in-game
adjustments and for the changes they made at half.
Speaking of props, let's give some kudos to the continuing steady
and consistent play of quarterback Nathan Sheelhaasse. He converted
16 of 23 passes for 267 yards and had no picks. He also carried the
pigskin (maybe we'll soon not be allowed to call the football such
offensive names... surely there's a minority out there offended by
that) 12 times for 46 yards, though he did suffer a 22-yard loss on
one play, which affected his net total.
This reporter on the scene likes his heady decision-making and
the leadership he exudes even as he gets his team to the line of
scrimmage. His emotions seem to stir our players, and he wills us
into good situations. I love his energy and the fact that he appears
to be a good teammate. Those chemistry intangibles can make up for
some talent deficiencies that this team may face later in the
season. Sheelhaasse seems to put the ball in places where Illini
receivers can get it and go. In fact, I‘d love to see this team air
it out a lot more, but I'm a passing offensive aficionado. The
coaching staff has made the right call to establish the run.
A.J. Jenkins and Darius Millines also had outstanding contests
for the victorious Illini. Jenkins caught 11 passes for 148 yards
and a touchdown. Millines hauled in five catches for 119 yards and a
TD. They also were running wild on other pass routes and stretching
the defense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Illinois did limit the Red
Wolves to 15 points, but ASU could have scored 10-14 more points
than they ended up with. Illinois benefited from some ASU miscues
but also get credit for hurrying the Wolves from time to time. The
Illini won the turnover battle 3-1 and were not penalized during the
contest. Amazingly there were only two flags thrown all day... You
will not see another game this season with that few hankies, or
Greg's buying the Culver's!
[to top of second column]
 |
What I'd like to see
It's very hard to nitpick after an opening day win, but we all
have to improve, don't we? I'd like to see Sheelhaasse have a little
bit better pocket awareness. When he starts to learn how to step up
in the pocket just a little bit more, I think he will become even
more dangerous. I believe if they could implement some rollouts,
sprint-outs and bootlegs, they could create more win-win situations
for him and the team. When he gets to the edge, he creates lots of
matchup and read problems for any defense.
I really like Jason Ford in the backfield. However, when other
teams adjust, we need to be ready with our counter-adjustments. I
know it is only the first game and we don't want to show the other
Big Ten teams what we're going to do, but I'd just like to see us
play with that a little bit.
As good as Jenkins, Millines and Lankford are, I would really
like to see more pass catchers used, especially tight ends. The more
worries we can give future defenses, the more that will open things
up for Ford, Pollard and a host of our stalwarts. It will also give
Scheelhaasse more protection, more time and more opportunity.
On defense, I'd like to see our cover men closer to the line of
scrimmage and not giving much of a buffer or cushion. I know they
want to play with some latitude there; I just never like as much as
we give. I think more pressure and more blitzes are the ticket when
we play good quarterbacks like Ryan Aplin from ASU. Again, I know we
don't want to show our entire arsenal, but a few different looks and
packages are always fun. When Aplin was on the run, he didn't have
the same confidence he did when he could sit in the pocket and wait
for what he wanted.
For my broken-record speech, I'd like to see us improve the
punting game. There have to be some boomers all over the country
just waiting for scholarship offers.
Lastly, don't take South Dakota State lightly. I watched them
play last year -- I think it was against Minnesota (and yes, the
Gophers will not always remind you of the Monsters of the Midway,
but still...) -- and they were a very good football team. They were
very well-disciplined. They had an exciting, multifaceted offense
that I think will challenge us. Anyway, I hope we'll have them
well-scouted and ride the advantage of the home field.
I know I'm just one voice, but I love being 1-0 rather than
looking up from that 0-1 start! Let's keep it going!
[By JEFF MAYFIELD]
Respond to the writer at
jmayfield@ctitech.com.
|
