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ASU not only came into the contest ranked in the Top 25 in the
polls, but came in heavily hyped as well. And for good reason. They
have one of the country's best defensive players in No. 7 Vontaze Burfict (bonus points for having such a great name) and a host of
others who have attained top honors in the Pac-12 Conference. They
were also sporting one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the
nation, No. 17 6-foot-8 Brock Osweiler (and by the way, I really
like this kid). Both players were every bit the stalwarts they were
reported to be. But the Illini had a plan. They wanted to bedevil
the Sun Devils. Vic Koenning's defensive unit crafted an attack that
was predicted to bring pressure. The Illini pressured Osweiler, not
just on obvious passing downs, but they brought the heat virtually
all night long.
ASU coach Dennis Erickson, himself a two-time national champion,
didn't seem to want to give Illinois too much credit, by saying they
knew we were coming and they've seen it all before. He knows way
more about it than we do, but I've got a little bit of news I'd like
to share with him: It could've been worse.
During most of the fourth quarter I got to view the trench
warfare from the sidelines. I know you will wonder if this borders
on being a homer, but from my very limited understanding of the rule
on holding, it appeared that ASU linemen were pushing the limits
with it on almost every play. From my vantage point, it looked like
some Illini defensive linemen could have been used as ASU tailbacks
because they were getting in there so quick.
Yes, many commentators have noted that ASU outgained the Illini
by a wide margin. But can I counter by saying, isn't that what
happens to a team that is trailing most of the game? I'm guessing
that when teams scout Illinois, they know our defense is a bend,
don't break operation. And if you're not patient, you will struggle.
Illinois has now recorded eight takeaways in just these first three
games.
ASU came into this game averaging 42.5 points per game. All
Illinois' defense did was hold them to two scores… 14 points --
that's it! You can say the Sun Devils racked up lots of yards and
lots of first downs, but going 1 for 3 down in the red zone is not
going to get it done. The Orange Crush unit shut out the Devils in
the second and third quarters. Credit the Illini for outstanding
tackling, pursuit of the football and making game-changing plays
when they had to.
No defender epitomized that more than sophomore Jonathan Brown.
To say he was ubiquitous and everywhere at the same time would
summon the words of Yogi Berra. But the reality is that Brown was
bedeviling the Sun Devils by himself a lot of the time! So dominant
was his performance that the buzz in the crowd after the game --
from the reporters in the booth, to those down on the field, to the
folks tailgating in the parking lots -- was people wondering when
they last saw such a physical, intimidating show. Brown finished the
game with seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an
interception, and he may have been conducting stadium tours on the
side for all we know. While the middle linebacker from ASU is pretty
good, Brown made a name for himself on Saturday night.
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Other defensive stars on the night were Terry Hawthorne with eight
tackles, Tavon Wilson also with eight, Steve Hull with seven (while
fighting leg cramps), Justin Greene and Ian Thomas with six tackles
each, Trulon Henry and Whitney Mercilus five each, and Glenn Foster
with one interception. All in all, a great night for the defense.
Hopefully they come up with as good a plan for Western Michigan
next Saturday. I like to see opposing quarterbacks running for their
lives and spending lots of time on their backs.
One last comment on the defense. Credit freshmen punter Justin
DuVernois with a coming-out party. He punted the ball five times for
almost 42 yards per kick. In a tight squeaker of a game like this, a
shanked punt might have killed us. He came through and kept us in
good field position for much of the time.
On the offensive side of the ball, Illinois was solid if not
spectacular. Illini quarterback Nathan Sheelhaase bedeviled the Sun
Devils with more runs than they were expecting. He also fought off
an injury that might have sidelined a lesser player. He brought his
leadership to the line of scrimmage play after play and helped will
the Illini to victory. Though he was only 11 of 15 for 135 yards and
one scoring strike, he also didn't cough up the football (though
there was one interception on perhaps an ill-advised toss) and is
growing and maturing right before our eyes. I always feel like we're
competitive and have a chance to win with him at the helm. He was
also Illinois' top rusher on the day, going for 67 yards on 18
carries.
Jason Ford had 58 yards on 21 carries and was a battering ram
late in the game when we were playing the possession game and trying
to run out the clock.
And you can't say enough about the night A.J. Jenkins turned in.
He hauled down six catches for 103 yards, ending with a beautiful
play where he bedeviled ASU superstar defenseman Vontaze Burfict and
tiptoed down the sidelines and through the tulips for the winning
touchdown.
With the victory, Illinois moves to 3-0 for the first time since
the 2001 Sugar Bowl season. Up next for the Illini is a home contest
with Western Michigan, who beat the Illini and cost them a bowl game
not too long ago. If my records are complete and correct, should the
Illini come away with a win, their ensuing 4-0 record would be their
best start since the '50s.
[By JEFF MAYFIELD]
Respond to the writer at
jmayfield@ctitech.com.
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