Arch Rival preview
After attending Fan Appreciation Day at Memorial Stadium last Saturday, I will state this of our Fighting Illini football players: there is more enthusiasm and emotion among them than I have seen in a long time.
As a former coach, I am concerned about the tough schedule they face this season.
As a former player, I am optimistic that this challenging schedule presents a lot of great opportunities. As I have said before, no opponent has seen their new offense or defense and that is something to get excited about. These players do not care what happened last season against Missouri — or the previous four years for that matter.
All they know is their season starts September 4. I believe Missouri should be prepared to get a taste of their own medicine. The coaches, I am sure, can live with physical mistakes as long as we remain positive and limit our mental mistakes. This is an exhilarating time to be an Illini fan!
What a difference a year makes. Last year as we approached the Arch Rival game against Missouri, we had an experienced offense as senior Juice Williams led a talented receiving core into the Edward Jones dome in St Louis. For the first time in four years, the Illini were favored to win the game. That was before sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert took the field-throwing 313 yards and three touchdowns then running in a fourth. No one could have foreseen this stellar starting debut which led the rebuilding Tigers to a 37–9 victory over Illinois, their fifth win in a row in the neutral-site series.
This year freshman Nathan Scheelhaase will make his starting debut in this same Arch Rival showcase. Currently, Illinois is a 13 point underdog in the sixth and final game of the series. How ironic would it be if underdog Illini with a new offense and defense pulled off the upset? Upsets will need to be the theme for this group of Fighting Illini football players, with the odds-makers predicting us underdogs in nine of our twelve games. Ouch!
In Missouri's first major scrimmage of fall camp several big plays highlighted the simulated game. Two long pass plays for scores, an interception for a score, and a 57-yard field goal were all key features. In their second scrimmage, QB Blaine Gabbert led his first string offense to a productive day. Gabbert finished the day 16 for 21, passing for 208 yards to score three times — to WR T.J. Moe (9 yards), TB Derrick Washington (31 yards), and TE Michael Egnew (23 yards).
Injury Update: When Missouri meets Illinois on Sept 4, 2010, they will play without #29 WR Jerrell Jackson, the team's leading returning receiver who suffered a broken wrist in practice. Jackson is expected to miss at least four weeks. Illinois will be without #7 SS Supo Sanni who tore his Achilles tendon and is out for the season. Also, #41 TE/FB Zach Becker and #1 CB Terry Hawthorne will miss at least three games both with stress fractures of the foot.
Missouri will also be without #24 Derrick Washington who has been charged with one count of felony sexual assault, and has been dismissed from the team. Also long snapper #86 Beau Brinkley and reserve LB #32 Will Ebner both awaiting hearings for suspicion of DWI.
Illinois opens its 121st season of varsity football Saturday against Missouri. It's time to put the FIGHT back in Fighting Illini. I believe this football squad can do this, and I predict an Illini victory in a squeaker.
Prep Picks week #2: SP Wildcats, GCMS Falcons, VG Blue Devils, STM Sabers, Unity Rockets, SJO Spartans, MS Bulldogs, Central Maroons, Centennial Chargers.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.