Illini Pull Away from Rutgers, 38-10
Illinois Now Just One Win Away from Bowl Eligibility
By Jeff Mayfield

[November 04, 2019]  The University of Illinois Staff has always been just a little too good to the LDN and our wonderful LDN staff. However, I do think Illini Coach Smith has been blocking my contact attempts for quite some time. I say that only to tell you that I had a better idea on how to handle Saturday’s game than the way it actually played out.

My idea was to come out from the opening kickoff and just overwhelm and dominate the Scarlet Knights and be up by four or five touchdowns at halftime. My game plan never made it to the coaching office complex! Instead Illinois took an early 10-0 lead that Rutgers easily caught and instead of my plan, it was 10-10 at halftime. I know it was Halloween week but that was still way too scary for my comfort.

We don’t usually get to speak to any coaches before, during, or after halftime. So, I can’t tell you what was said or what happened in that Illinois locker room during intermission. But I can tell you this, the Illini exploded onto the field after that halftime experience whatever it was. In the first half the Illini defense had been giving up huge hunks of yardage. But on the first play of the third quarter the entire Illini defensive line bum rushed the Rutgers O-line and tackled both quarterback Johnny Langan and the running back Aaron Young for a 4-yard loss. That play as much as anything turned the game around.

Oh sure, I could take the easy route and tell you what a great 2nd half Illini QB Brandon Peters had. He made a long 54-yard QB option sweep that set-up yet another Dre Brown 2-yard touchdown. OR I could point out the feathery touch he displayed on several passes, but none prettier than the 52-yard hook-up to Josh Imatorbhebhe that gave Illinois a 24-10 lead. OR, I could relate to you the great day Illinois’ O-line had as a bevy of Illini running backs kept attacking Rutgers and eventually wore them down.

OR, I could tell you about the way that Illinois’ defense continues to get takeaways and big plays that are taking so much pressure off the offense and helping to create a vastly improved football team. I could even tell you about the Illini special teams though I wouldn’t know whether to call it the McCourt (James) and Hayes (Blake) Show, OR the Hayes & McCourt Show. Those two guys have been instrumental in a lot of Illinois’ success this year.

All and all, a great couple of days on the Illinois campus. With the victory Illinois is now just one win away from claiming bowl eligibility. And if you are one of the skeptics that says it’s only a lesser bowl, you won’t get an audience here. This program had fallen to disappointing depths. Many of us wondered if the program could even be resurrected again. And not only has that happened but there are literally 3 chances to get that 6th win and even more. That is something to celebrate.

Next up is a trip to East Lansing, Michigan for Saturday’s contest with Michigan State.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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