Illini grade: A
Give us your grade here
Star of the game: Clay Nurse.
The cricket player turned defensive end showed he can be a royal pain for opposing quarterbacks, recording four sacks in what ought to be a Big Ten Player of the Week performance. He had 1.5 sacks going into Saturday's game and now leads the team.
Offense
Illinois B+
Minnesota D
The Gophers had an F until the second-half comeback. Hey, offensive linemen, it's OK to knock the defense. They won't flag you. Juice Williams was on his way to a huge game before getting hurt. Jacob Charest did more than manage the offense.
Defense
Illinois A
Minnesota C-minus
Give Dan Disch, Curt Mallory and the staff all sorts of credit for having their guys ready. They challenged the Gophers to run the ball and came after Adam Weber from all angles. Oh, and Terry Hawthorne scored a touchdown on an interception return. He'll get more.
Special teams
Illinois D
Minnesota B
A blocked punt per week is not the kind of streak a school wants to build. Saturday's could have been a disaster for Illinois. Anthony Santella was solid on the punts he got off. The Gophers would have had an A except for the kicks going O.B. Looked like our Uncle Lou on the golf course.
Overall
Illinois A
Minnesota C-minus
Illinois went on the road and won a Big Ten football game. For the first time Oct. 4, 2008. The way the game ended, with the Gophers getting close, will give the Illinois coaches something to harp on during practice. The Tim Brewster Era is not bringing back memories of Bernie Bierman.
Defense grade should not be an A. I would give a B. Although they played well, they continue to give up too many 1st downs on 3rd and long. Today Minnym I belive, converted a 3rd and 19 which Minny followed with a TD and a 3rd and 24. I'm not sure if there is an official stat but I would be willing to bet the Illini D would be in the bottom 10 in the country on 3rd and more than 10 yards for the last 10 years.
Defense cannot get a "A" when it almost blows a 28-to-7 lead . . and gives up two touchdowns by allowing a team to convert a 3rd and 19 on one series and a third and 24 on another series by failing to defend THE SAME EXACT PLAY!!
B is a good overall grade for this game . .based upon the aforesaid defensive lapses, Juice's fumble, the penalties, a missed field goal, a blocked punt, and Jeff Cumberland's inability to catch that oblong thing they call a football . . .
Martin09 said:
"Bob stop the silly grading. And please please stop the bowl forecast segment. Both are boring and always wrong. Just stick to recruiting and game stories."
Hey Martin, guess what? Nobody's forcing you to read stuff you don't like. If you don't like something, don't read it.
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