Sports News

Illini win opener 33-15

By Jeff Mayfield

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[September 06, 2011]  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN -- The University of Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0) opened the season with a mostly respectable 33-15 victory over the Red Wolves (0-1) of Arkansas State University. While it is fun to be in a juiced-up atmosphere at the Ed Dome in St. Louis for a marquee matchup with Missouri, this makes way more sense. At 1-0, Illinois needs only five more wins to qualify for a bowl berth... I'm not sure why so many people struggle with the math on this one. This is how you do it, IF you want to get into some nicer bowls around the holidays.

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!

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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.

Water

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.

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