Illini Bury the Gophers, 26-14
Record now stands at 6-1 and the Illini are Bowl Eligible!

By Jeff Mayfield

[October 17, 2022] 

Champaign-Urbana-A few years ago as college football teams played America’s favorite past time-let’s get a new coach-I remember Western Michigan’s Head Man P. J. Fleck being the flavor of the month. Illinois wasn’t quite looking then but many bemoaned the fact that Fleck was a good one and the Illini were going to miss a golden opportunity. And he has been good for Minnesota there is no doubt about that. I believe he was 39-25 coming into today’s action.

But with all due respect to coach Fleck, what Bret Bielema has done in just one and half seasons with this Illinois football program borders on the unthinkable and something beyond belief! When Illinois won at Wisconsin it was the first win up there since 2002! When Illinois out slugged Iowa last Saturday night before a raucous crowd, it was the first win over the Hawkeyes since 2008 AND the first time that the Illini had taken down both Bucky and the Hawks in the same season since 1989! And when the Illini suffocated the Golden Gophers Saturday afternoon 26-14, beating all three of those before mentioned teams was accomplished for the first time since 1983…and that’s way back when my beautiful wife Melinda had just married me! Illinois is 3-1 in The Big Ten for the first time since 2007 and has won 4 straight West Division games since the Division was created in 2014. Illinois became the 10th team in the USA to become bowl eligible with this delicious victory.

One onlooker who is close to the Illini media was overheard saying- “Coach Bielema was the correct hire-he is the right coach for this program.” Truer words have never been spoken. What Bielema is doing and accomplishing borders on the ridiculous! Just his wins over West Division teams alone is crazy. I like to play all the games one at a time as much as the next guy-but is it really too early to start dreaming of a Big Ten Championship Game appearance and a bowl game closer to New Year’s Day or after the first of the year?

Whatever message Coach Bielema has been preaching sure seemed to take hold right after the opening kickoff! The Illini marched down the field in 8 plays and scored on a nifty wheel route completion of 40 yards From QB Tommy DeVito to all-everything back, Chase Brown.
 

I’d like to interrupt my game report with this public service announcement.

Heisman Trophy candidate-the Illini’s super star running back Chase Brown talks to Lincoln Daily News.

There may be a college player or two somewhere that are as good as Chase Brown? But I find it hard to believe that there is anyone making more of an impact for his team than Brown-IF you’ve got one, who is it and where’s the evidence? Brown had 233 all-purpose yards in this game, had his 8th straight 100-yard rushing game, actually 180 in this one against the 2nd or 3rd best defense in the country, and he leads the nation in rushing yards with 1059 [the first back in the nation to go over 1000 yards rushing]! Did I mention he’s the nation’s leading ground gainer? Did I point out that no back in this country has more yards than Brown?

IF he’s not getting major Heisman Trophy consideration, they might as well just melt the thing down! [This has been an un-paid non-political announcement to approve Chase Brown as the leading contender for the Heisman…and oh by the way, I approved this message]!

Illini senior defensive back Sydney Brown talks to LDN after the 26-14 dominance over Minnesota Saturday afternoon.

After one of three interceptions by Illinois’ vaunted defense, the Illini marched down the field and Fabrizio Pinton made one of his four field goals on the day. He went 4 for 4 on the day and for the 2nd straight week was one of our difference makers. Not bad for a back-up kicker.

And speaking of starters, what can you say about Illini QB Tommy DeVito. Banged up and busted up during the physical contest with Iowa, there were concerns about his availability and if he was able to play how much he would be limited. DeVito only went 25-32 for 252 yards and a touchdown pass, plus he ran another one in himself to account for Illinois’ other touchdown. He also led the charge that resulted in the Illini going for first downs on four 4th down plays. Don’t know if you heard but Illinois converted all four which I think is a good percentage!

But to be totally transparent and honest, I was stunned when the Gophers returned the 2nd half kick-off 92 yards and scored on their first 2nd half play to take a 14-13 lead. Illinois had dominated the game up to that point and found themselves trailing. I’ve seen this movie before, and I don’t like watching it. The show where Illinois plays well, and special teams cover well most of the time, but one breakdown leads to others-the mojo is gone-and the momentum disappears-and the team heads for another ugly, disgusting loss. But thank God there’s a new sheriff in town.

Instead of wilting and dying on the vine. Illinois marched down the field with a good mix of run and pass plays and got close on a spectacular catch by Brian Hightower all the way down to the 5 yard-line. Illinois scored on a slick QB keeper by DeVito and the Illini were up once again by 6 points [a weird number lead that always makes me nervous]!

Illinois got a couple more field goals and the defense took it home from there. All in all, a great afternoon on the campus of the state’s flagship University!

IF you need more convincing proof on Illinois’ dominance in this football game-take a look at these numbers. The Illini out-gained Minnesota 472 yards to 182 for the Gophers and possessed the ball for 40 minutes to Minny’s 20 minutes-these numbers are legitimate. Minnesota only completed 6 passes the entire game for a measly 38 yards and they threw the ball away as Illinois registered 3 interceptions.

The Illini need and will enjoy a bye week before travelling to Nebraska to battle the Huskers on Oct. 29th!

I also need to apologize to our great and faithful LDN readers. I apologize that we did not have a recap of the Illini’s wildly exciting 9-6 win over Iowa last week. We especially enjoy bringing you the thrilling victories. However, I was not able to attend nor cover the contest as I took my very deserving wife out for dinner instead of attending the game to celebrate our 39th anniversary! Maybe that decision brought Illinois some good luck, but whether it did or didn’t-we had a wonderful dinner together!

The only other thing I can say about today’s win over Minnesota is… I – L – L…

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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