Often cited as a “basketball and golf” school, Illini fans routinely have positive thoughts about these men’s sports.
Conversely, you…me…most of us are guilty of this when a major soccer showdown comes around. We are mired in history. As a result, even die-hard fans had doubts about whether Bret Bielema’s “FAMILLY” could upset No. 14 South Carolina in last Tuesday’s Citrus Bowl.
Bielema sensed this dismal community attitude and said in a press conference that the big hurdle in football for the burgeoning program was “the past.”
That’s true. Memorial Stadium is surrounded by soccer pessimists, doomsayers, and for obvious reasons. For years, disappointment was always lurking around the corner. Last week we asked ourselves: How can Illinois run the ball against the Gamecocks’ strong line, and how many ground yards can huge quarterback Lanoris Sellers gain? Is it?
Remarkably, in the 21-17 win, Illinois held Sellers to 19 yards on 11 carries and Josh McCray & Co. had 183 yards rushing. Illinois won in the trenches. No one on either side expected that.
history lesson
But is it time to celebrate? Just two years ago, the Illini got off to a 7-1 start, with attendees exchanging high-fives and celebrating, only for the team to lose 11 of its next 17 games through 2023. .
Even in this 9-3 regular season upset, the University of Illinois fell behind by nine points last Tuesday and has never beaten an SEC opponent in its last 22 postseason games since the mid-1960s. He failed in 17 of those games.
In fact, although many of us probably don’t realize it, the people of South Carolina had similar feelings. Most of the gamefowl were mediocre. Even in their banner campaigns, other SEC powers tended to put them in their place. The conference record for the 10 years ending in 2023 is 31 wins and 51 losses.
It’s no wonder, then, that Scott Davis, a veteran hometown clerk, tumbles from the height of hyperbole:
“Despite being given a chance to reward South Carolina’s long-suffering fan base with a program-defining bowl win, the universe instead turned to poor gamesmanship, rule violations, officiating incompetence, and self-righteousness.” The fairy tale season ended with the heroes in retreat and the villains triumphant.”
second look
A rogue? evil? Well, that’s a perverse way of looking at it. Bielema was certainly a “step above” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer. He looked like he was going wild early on when he went ballistic in the Illinois huddle by claiming that the umpire missed the 12th man (who the hell was that scoundrel?).
As we know, 100 years of close defeats can all be blamed on zebras.
By the way, if you don’t want the University of Illinois to make a substitution defensively, don’t make a substitution offensively.
For the record, Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry has been moving players in and out all season.
This is a common practice that everyone uses. If the offense completes the sub, the defense is allowed to counter with the sub.
Players should enter and exit with a brisk jog. Actual times are subjective, a fact that rule makers should revisit this offseason.
Illini reserves appeared a little slow on some exchanges, but despite Beamer’s outrage, officials saw nothing improper.
The real blowout came after Beamer attempted a ruse on a fake kickoff return. Bielema then appeared on the field to check on injured player Jaheim Clark, copying the kickoff returner’s confusing (possibly legal, but also illegal) signal with open arms.
Bielema told the Shamcock sideline that he knew what they were trying to do and had to restrain the enraged Beamer.
Is the glass half full? perhaps
The fireworks fade, and like a mythical phoenix, Illinois State bubbles and percolates as the most important since Dick Butkus, Jim Grabowski, and Illinois State won the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1964. Completed their comeback from the ashes with a bowl victory. .
What a wonderful season 2024 is! The weather also cooperated. 2 impressive overtime wins. Memorial Stadium’s 100th anniversary celebration ended with a loss to the University of Michigan. Last-minute win against Rutgers (4 seconds left).
Last Tuesday’s latest fourth-quarter win provides momentum for the 2025 season, which opens in late August, with increased advance ticket sales, increased name, image, and likeness donations, and more acceptance on the portal. This should mean easier negotiations with Illinois returnees.
Or should we be cautious? It was the 10th time in 102 seasons that an Illini team rose from a mediocre team to win at least eight games, but it couldn’t be repeated…although John Makovich’s 1989 club was 10-2. We advanced with a loss, and after that it was split 4-way. Won the Big Ten title in 1990 with an 8-4 team.
Back in 1923, the Illini went 8-0 and won the national championship, but even though the Red Grange made history that season by defeating the University of Michigan, 39-14, in 1924 They fell to 6 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, which was disappointing at the time.
When expectations were high after strong performances in 1999, 2001, 2007 and 2022, four teams followed up those successes with 20 wins and 23 losses.
Today, the arrow is pointing up again. Bielema’s additions are already looking up, making headlines by acquiring three defensive stars from Wisconsin through the transfer portal. The combination of smart offensive play-caller Barry Ranney Jr., third-year quarterback Luke Altmaier, and veteran veterans on the offensive line and backfield brings promise.
And Bielema has a lot of forward-thinking people.
Lauren Tate writes for The News-Gazette. Contact him at ltate@news-gazette.com.
