Northwestern 21, Illinois 16: A quick read
For Saturday's box score, click here
STAR OF THE GAME
Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka, who would probably be the perfect quarterback for the Illinois system because of his strong arm and ability to scramble. He didn't have use of his legs much Saturday because of a hamstring injury. But his arm was plenty strong in a 305-yard performance. He threw one touchdown pass and set up two short touchdown runs with passes to the 1.
NUMBERS GAME
0
That's how many passing yards Illinois had in the third quarter of Saturday's game, when Northwestern bumped its lead to 14-3. Of course, it's hard to gain passing yards when you don't throw the ball. The Illini had one attempt in the third quarter, by backup Eddie McGee. The Illini had 111 passing yards in the fourth quarter.
WHAT IT MEANS
Illinois won't be playing in a bowl game for the second consecutive year and for the seventh time in eight seasons. Only the 2007 trip to the Rose Bowl breaks up the string. Seniors Jon Asamoah, Dere Hicks, Doug Pilcher, etc., who were hoping for three consecutive postseasons, now can look fondly back at only their sophomore year.
WHAT'S NEXT
A week off, then a critical game (as far as the BCS is concerned) at Cincinnati. The Bearcats beat West Virginia 24-21 on Friday to improve to 10-0 and will be in the top five of this week's BCS standings, with a chance to move into the national title picture with some upsets ahead of them. Time for the Friday game will be announced on Monday.
all i know is we need to throw the ball more and the 4th qt shows why!!! Yes we need to be able to run the ball but that is supposed to open up the throwing game for a throwing qb like charest! just don't make sense. Yes our schedule dont help us either! penn st has cup cakes for non conference games for a reason!
Hideous. Defensive backs look like they have no clue, Benn's talent has been totally wasted, and Northwestern's one annd two star recruits have proven that the Illinois staff has a talent evaluation paroblem in a big way. I hope there's a mercy rule in place for the Cincy game.
Hey Bob . .how's the bowl picture shaping up now for the Illini?
Now let's have some real stories from you the rest of the year as to how wretched the coaching on this team is. The "let's not try to score any points" offensive philosophy and the "let's not cover any receivers" defensive mantra has got to go. If Guenther allows Zook to bring back Schultz and continue the co-defensive coordinator mess, than I guess he loves the fact that his football team is and will continue to be the laughingstock of the Big Ten.
It should be obvious to everyone by now that it is time for both Ron's to go.Does any AD micro-manage their football team and coach to the extent that RG does?Has any BCS AD had less success?He was a D3 Coach 35 years ago.He is not a coach!As for Zook he is in way over his head.And RG should not be allowed to pick the next coach 72-124-2 as AD-case.....closed!
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