Illinois at Indiana Game Blog

Indiana started this game smart. Nothing the Hoosiers did was risky, but it was effective. The Illini were not able to get pressure on quarterback Ben Chappell, and it hurt us. There was a pass that was dropped, and it really skidded the momentum, but Indiana was moving the ball.

Juice to start at QB. The first pass was a quick 5 yard screen play followed by a quick shot up the middle by Leshoure.

Illinois is looking to get something going consistantly, but so far each play has gotten exactly what it was designed to get or nothing. This tells me that we are excecuting out gameplan but not dominating physically yet.

Illinois forced to punt, and Santella's improvement continues. Almost downed right outside the goalline, the punt travels 50 yards for a touchback.

Indiana's front is really winning the battle in the trench. So far our defensive line is not pressuring IU, and it shows. Chappell has time to go through his progressions and find the open man... If there is no one open, Chappell has been able to get 3 or 4 yards running every time.

After a big play, Illinois will play D in the red zone for the first time today, and a second down false start will help. Dere Hicks just made a nice play, and now it is third down for the Hoosiers.

That was the first time today Illinois has gotten pressure on the Hoosier Quarterback, and the result was a big time third down hurry. In the end, their inability to get anything on that third down was the difference between a made and missed field goal... It remains 0-0.

Illinois has been killed this year with the time of posession. You can't expect a defense to stay rested when they are on the field 11:30 of the first 15 minutes.

A.J. Jenkins just did what Illinois can't do. After a great play where we got what we have been missing all year (a pass that leads the WR), and ruined it by shooshing the crowd for a 15 yarder.

The Illini offense showed life which is encouraging, but there was still no play to play continuity.

As this game has gone on (10:26 left in 2nd quarter), Illinois is doing a much better job of disrupting the Hoosier pocket.

Donsay Hardeman just left the game for the Illini on a strether. His facemask was removed with his helmet still on his head. Donsay had a previous neck injury, so they are taking every precaution.

Indiana finally breaks the drought with a field goal on their third attempt. This game hasn't been all that sloppy, but neither team really seems to have that extra gear that it takes to drive the whole field. Field position has played a big part of this game, and so far neither team has gotten to start in a great spot.

A.J. Jenkins with a nice catch. I love these big plays, but they are only here and there... Let's get a run game going.

And there it is. Illinois three times in a row has gone up the middle and gotten good yards. This is exactly what the offense has missed all year. Illinois opens up the run game and what follows? A deep ball placed perfectly into the end zone... 7-3 Illinois.

Turnover! Illinois has been looking for special teams to be special all year and while they were good enough to cause the turnover, they weren't good enough to put up 3 points on a 37 yard field goal. The other thing about that drive was that it once again took barely anytime. Most teams would look to hold the ball until the other team has to change its gameplan specifically to play the clock.

The IU two minute drill has looked good. Illinois is taking away the sidelines, but so far the Hoosiers are dumping the ball over the middle and moving upfield 8 to 10 yards at a time.

Illinois had Indiana stuck at 3rd and eight but could not stop the Hoosier offense. The play was going to either go for 3 yards and nothing else, or there was going to be a broken tackle and a big big gain. Those plays are designed to isolate a defender and force him to tackle well.

With the second half about to start, Illinois prepares to receive the kick off. Just a quick update on the injured Donsay Hardeman... They are running tests now, but the good news is that he is moving his limbs.

26 yard kick return by Rejus Benn.

The Illini offense was moving decently, but once again there was no continuity. One good play here, a bad play or two, another good one... We are really struggling to put anything together that will keep defenses on their toes.

Indiana is forcing Illinois to guess, and that's giving them time to make plays happen when it looks like there is nothing there. Getting to the quarterback is such a big key for this Illini team.

When nothing seems to be going your way, things often get worse. After Illinois records their first sack of the game, a botched pooch punt by IU drops very short, hitting an Illini player in the leg and giving the football back to the Hoosiers.

Wow. Indiana gets to about the 10 yard line and faces a fourth and 1. The play by IU sets up perfectly and looked to be a sure firstdown if not touchdown... but the Hoosier slips before he can turn the corner, and the ball goes to the Illini.

Illinois and Indiana are in a battle for who wants it less. I keep watching these two teams get themselves in position to make things happen only for everything to fall apart because of a dumb penalty, a dropped pass...

Juice Williams hit Rejus Benn over the middle for a huge gain. Illinois has to prove themselves inside the redzone... wait... as I write this, Juice fumbles and gives the ball to IU.

End of the third quarter, and this game just isn't getting any prettier. Illinois has been carless with the football while playing with sense of urgency. At this point there is still time to turn it around, but that's simply due to the fact that Indiana isn't doing anything special.