Optimistic,

I think it's clear he has better touch. He didn't show that all the time on Saturday, but I believe it's there. And you do have to give Missouri some credit for its defensive work in the second half. The Tigers picked up the pace.

Mark,

I think that's a concern for all college coaches. Blaine Gabbert, who is a really big guy, had a couple of passes batted too. I think that might have been a first-game deal for both guys. No matter how much you practice, you need to get the feel for the game. If Nathan gets four or five passes batted against Southern Illinois, then it becomes a concern for the coaches. But for now, those are teaching points. And you don't know what happened to the offensive line on those plays either.

John R.,

That was the general consensus. Nathan said nobody is hanging their head after the loss, but they are disappointed. That's about what you would think. They felt like they had a chance to win the game and let it slip away. But Missouri was dominant in the second half on both sides of the ball.
The players and coaches want to win. Period. A 10-point loss is meaningless to them. And it should be meaningless.

Robert,

He had to. He was only up seven. If his team gives the ball back, it can still be tied. I didn't have a problem with that. What I don't like is when a team is up 14 or so and scores a late touchdown against a lesser team. But that wasn't the case here. I think he did the right thing.

Scott,

I'll go with Steve Hull. A week ago, he was a receiver. Saturday, he had seven tackles as a safety. And he's going to get better. Ron Zook called him "magnificent."

Galloping,

I think you start the credit with Koenning, who gets after his guys when they don't make the plays in practice. But I think you have to credit the players, too. They put themselves out there and, as you wrote, had a decent day.
If you had told me before the game that Missouri scored 23 points, I would have told you Illinois won. Or was close. And that was the case.

Tim,

At that point, it was about trying to keep recruiting in place. If you plan to keep your coach, and at that point Guenther certainly did, then you like to have the contract be out four to five years. There was no raise and I think Guenther has made it clear that the length of the contract isn't as important as the performance on the field.

Zeke,

First, give Missouri some credit. You have to think the Tigers heard an earful from their coaches.
There were breakdowns on both sides in the second half. The coaches admitted it. In some cases, the better player won the battle. And they pointed to their guys for not making the plays.
To me, the biggest series was the start of the third quarter. If Illinois scores on the opening drive, the pressure really goes on the Tigers. Instead, it was a three and out that set up the Missouri comeback.

Bill,

Glad you got to see it. Ian Thomas had a very good game. Martez Wilson didn't play his best game. Ron Zook said Missouri's offense isn't best suited to Martez's strengths.

Charley,

Not a bit. I thought Illinois would lose to Missouri and it did. I think the offense isn't as good as I thought it might be early and the defense might be better. So, it's a wash.

Dave,

A bit harsh, but I like you to share your opinions. My goal in covering Ron Zook and all coaches is to be fair. I don't think we've been at all shy about writing the facts about the team. Ron Zook needs to win this year to keep his job. I think that's a fair statement. Has he been everything Illinois hoped for, of course not. I think he would admit to that.

Jim,

I wish I had watched him more during the game (I'll see the TV copy when I get home). But he hasn't shown that negative body language at practice or during interview sessions. He's uptight the closer the games get, but that's his normal state.
I don't believe Ron Zook will give up or go down without trying everything he can think of. Will it work? Too early to tell. But he should win the next two games.

JOhn R,

I think a lot of people will agree with you. Some will see only the loss and not care about the way the team got to that point.
Illinois played better than I thought it would going into the game. I really thought it could be a 40-point Missouri win given all of the trouble for the Illinois secondary. Instead, Illinois had a good half and could have won the game.

Todd,

The coach is an easy target in every program. Heck, there are people mad at Jim Tressel. That's insane to me, but again you have to have your right to an opinion. It's what makes our country so cool.
Nathan Scheelhaase faced a difficult opponent and played about like I thought he would. He will cut the turnovers and play better the next game. He's that kind of kid (plus, the opponent isn't as good). I want to see how he reacts against Ohio State. And I want to see how the defense plays against the Buckeyes. That will tell you a lot about the current team.

JK,

Thanks for the pointer on the video. Obviously, I've got a face for newspapers. But I appreciate the critique and will try to slow down next week.

All good points.

GHD,

It is Nathan Scheelhaase's offense to run until the coaches think there is no other option. I'm not sure who would have been the second quarterback in the game. Chandler is tied with Miles Osei on the depth chart.
Getting one quarterback ready to play is hard enough. I don't see the backups getting into the game unless there is an injury or a blowout.
On the connection with the receivers, we don't know who was at fault.

Stating,

He had a big game. The best thing about him is that he gets 3 or 4 yards after contact. I kept telling Marcus Jackson that he gained 2 yards on plays where he could have lost 3. And Missouri is good against the run.
Here's a case where I think Scheelhaase's running helps Leshoure. And vice versa.

Missouri Jim,

I wasn't impressed in the first half, but was extremely impressed in the second. Maybe this version of the Tigers will be like that. But it also could be the first game troubles.
I want to see what Missouri does the next time it plays a reasonable team. And that will be Colorado on Oct. 9. I think Missouri is definitely a bowl team and could be more.

Bill,

I assume you are talking about Eddie McGee. I think the coaches considered it, but decided Nathan was the better option. Based on what I've seen on the field and in practice, I agree.

Skeptical,

He had a nice play when he caused the fumble, but I'd agree he struggled the rest of the day. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the next month. He's got talent. Nobody ever questions that.

Floridaillini,

There were a couple of times where I thought he might stay down, but he popped back up. He might be one of those guys who can take a pounding and avoid major injuries. He is very, very tough and smart enough most times to get out of bounds. That might be a saving combination.

Tristen,

I'm not blaming the fans. Of course, you have the right to get upset with the coach, the players, the AD. I'd like you to take it easy on me, but I'll take the critiques too.

One thing I've believed since I moved to Illinois is that the football program can be consistently good. It hasn't happened yet.

Kevin,

Nothing of note. Jason Ford had a sore thumb, which was why he didn't carry the ball much in the second half. But that was it.