The Illini traveled to Columbus, Ohio last Saturday to play Ohio State. The Illini put up 170 offensive yards and scored 0 points. OSU put up 318 offensive yards and scored 30 points. The Ohio State game was another disappointing showing by the Illini.
News-Gazette reporter Loren Tate said it best in a recent article:
What were they thinking?
When the game settled down in the early rain-soaked stages, Ohio State attacked Illinois at its strength, the defensive line, and took control.
So give the Buckeyes credit. They dominated in the trenches and deserved to win.
That said, the Illini seemed disengaged. They contributed to their own downfall. Maybe “dumb” is too strong a word. Let’s just say the Illini didn’t use their heads … repeatedly … when the game was still in the formative stage. Count the ways:
– When a flubbed Ohio State punt put Illinois in early position at midfield, the Illini punched out two first downs and reached the 24 where a penalty was assessed for 12 men in the huddle. What were they thinking?. After being set back, Williams threw directly to linebacker Brian Rolle who returned 39 yards.
– After Aaron Pettrey boomed a 50-yard field goal, Illini A.J. Jenkins caught the kickoff in the end zone, started to run, stopped and then made a fateful step over the line. He was swarmed at the 10. What was he thinking?
– Unable to capitalize as Williams’ passes went awry (he was 6 of 15 for 30 yards at the half), the Illini nevertheless had the Buckeyes back on their 20 early in the second quarter. Pryor was trapped near the sideline when Clay Nurse unnecessarily grabbed his facemask. Fifteen yards! Then Pryor ran to the other sideline and Illini Supo Sanni hit him much too late. Another 15 yards! What were they thinking? Ohio State, without so much as a completed pass in the half, marched in for a 13-0 lead.
– The next time Ohio State punted, Jarred Fayson stood under the high boot around the 20, and stepped away from an obvious fair catch, allowing the ball to bounce to the 6-yard line. Again, what was he thinking?
– The Buckeyes made an uncharacteristic turnover just before halftime, a fumbled punt giving the Illini the ball at the Ohio State 45. Three penalties and a Fayson drop found Illinois punting from the 50. Three penalties!
What were they thinking?
The Illini battle Penn State this Saturday at 2:30pm at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois vs. Penn State // Oct. 3 // 2:30 PM
Live Audio | GameTracker | TV: ABCSeptember 30th, 2009 by DougTags: Football, Juice Williams, loren tate, ncaa, ohio state, Ron Zook, ui sports
