Illini Pull Away from Rutgers, 38-10
Illinois Now Just One Win Away from Bowl
Eligibility
By Jeff Mayfield
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[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.
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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.
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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.
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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]
Respond to the writer at
jeffqmay@gmail.com.
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