Illinois Football 2011: Arizona State: The Fighting Illini's First Real Test
by BrosWubba on Sep 15, 2011 5:49 PM CDT
in Illinois Fighting Illini Football
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This week the Illini welcome in our toughest opponent to date: Arizona State. Fresh off a thrilling victory over our (thankfully) former rivals, Missouri. So what can we expect? Our wins over Arkansas State and South Dakota State didn't exactly test our team, (sorry Red Wolves and Jackrabbits) so here's what I'm expecting from our first quality opponent.
Expect a lot of Donovonn Young. It's no secret that Ron Zook loves the multiple running attack. Ford was everyone's starter going into the season, despite excitement over the freshmen. After a strong performance over SD State, let's see if Young can put up a good showing against Arizona State. Look for today's game to heavily determine carry distribution for the next couple of weeks.
6'8" Brock Osweiler is going to really test our defense, having thrown for more than 600 yards on the season already. This game will show us how much we will really miss Corey Liuget but also how much Terry Hawthorne and Justin Green are ready for the challenge. Without much of a threatening running game, our secondary will be tested often, and we know how that has worked before, (see last season against Missouri and Michigan.)
I want to see John Davis involved more. He had just his first catch this last week. Offensive Coordinator Paul Petrino is known for incorporating the Tight End and we have a stud who just needs some experience. Arizona State would have done their homework and will likely double up on A.J. Jenkins. This should open things up for Darius Millines and Davis. Let's see what they can do. This will also test Scheelhaase's ability to go through his progressions and find the open receiver when AJ's not available.
Hopefully this game will answer all the question marks we had going into the season and give us a good gauge of how we will do come conference time.
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My first game as an alum.
I can’t wait. It should be a good one and offer a decent picture as to where the Illini are this season.
I'm glad this is happening
these types of games are great for college football (and hopefully a lot of Chicago-based ASU alums come out to the game!)
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by Cory Williams on Sep 16, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
This is so much better than playing Mizzou
I was in Champaign for school for three years and the biggest game I could have attended – the 09 Michigan game – I was out of town. I wish I could get back for this one but I’m way too far away. This would be a huge win for Illinois, especially if they can look good doing it.
Of course, everyone is really high on ASU after beating Mizzou. I just don’t think Mizzou has much defense. If Illinois can stifle Osweiler it would turn some heads. Also, Millines is a beast.
R-O-O-L!!!!
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Sep 17, 2011 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Not a great looking win
But I’ll take it!
They have two liter bottles now? To think I spent all that time demanding a liter!
This was a great game.
When you battle like this and win it is a beautiful looking game. If it was against Eastern Illinois and that close then it wouldn’t be a great looking win.
Why no gamethread?
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
Before the game I was worried about the D and confident in our O
How could I have ever been so wrong. Our D won the game for us hands down, it almost seemed like we were trying to hand them the game. I am worried more so about nathans decision making ability when at times it seemed like he refused to just check down. For example when he threw into double coverage and under threw the ball. Anyone else notice that they also sat Young after the fumble? I hope they give him another chance because I am really excited about our new #5 changing the pace with Ford.
I was most inpressed with how our front 7 played! 6 sacks! And our corners played run support well and tackled pretty well also, just wished they would cover as well as they tackle. I am still worried about the secondary…….
by All Hail the Chief on Sep 18, 2011 12:00 AM CDT reply actions
That was a great game. Our defense really stepped up to the challenge. Whooo!!!!
Escalator temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience
Guess what?
We ranked, bitches!!!
http://espn.go.com/college-football/rankings?poll=1
Todd Kalas wants to murder that furry green shit
by Albertrayon on Jul 23, 2009 1:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
next week
2 wins in the coming weeks could put the illini in a really good position for the rest of the season. Can’t wait to get to Champaign for homecoming!
Scheelhaase: Heisman candidate
ESPN ran an article regarding Scheelhaase has a heisman candidate. They said his performance against Arizona will give a picture of where he is in the heisman picture… do you guys think his performance against ASU helped him or hurt him? also hats off to the defense for dismantling Arizona States offense and I can’t wait to prove the people at Bleacher Report wrong because these Illini are for Real!!!!!!
Hurt!
Sure he has a great arm and can run with the best of them but until he makes smarter choices with the ball is pressure situations I dont see him getting to his full potential, or winning a heisman based off of play vs ASU.
by All Hail the Chief on Sep 19, 2011 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Bleacher Report?
Gross.
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"
He's probably not even a top 15 candidate right now.
The ASU game didn’t do anything to help that. He just needs to keep performing and helping his team win.
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