Illini Clunker May Have Derailed Dreams

By Jeff Mayfield

[November 14, 2022] 

The Illinois Fighting Illini may have seen their best post-season dreams go up in smoke as they lost an underwhelming contest versus Purdue 31-24 in very disappointing fashion. Neither team seemed to play that well in a game that was marred by penalties, confusion on several calls and video reviews, and just lots of both physical and mental mistakes. This reporter was so despondent after the game that it was a quick drive home and a rush to get working on fall household projects trying to get the discouraging loss out of mind.

The Illini were out-gained, had more penalties, and were out-scored 17-10 in the second half. It’s a struggle to find any positives to write about here other than even with two wasted opportunities in back to back weeks, Illinois’ overall record still stands at 7-3. Had you told us that the Illini would be 7-3 at this juncture in the season, we would’ve had you committed first, then we would’ve taken it to the bank or mailed it in. So, there’s that.

But given the golden opportunity to get to 8 or 9 wins with two home games left at Memorial Field…well, we were thinking that we’d at least get one of them. That’s what makes these losses so devastating.

Anyway, the Illini will try again for win number 8 as they hit the road to tackle Michigan Saturday at 11 and then will conclude the regular season the following week with a road contest at Northwestern. Hopefully, the fortunes will change for the better in the days ahead.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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