Update: Chicago Bears nickelback Kelvin Hayden has been ruled out for the season with a torn hamstring, the team announced Wednesday.
Follow paulmbanksIllini football game at Soldier Field this fall (Update)
April 3, 2013 By 12 Comments
It is believed that Illini football invented the homecoming tradition in college athletics. Other schools make similar claims, but the University of Illinois has as much of a claim as any, and this is a Chicago based website run by a University of Illinois alum (did the colors give it away? The Chicago Bears actually got their colors from UI, and my high school also was orange and blue too). In addition to its traditional on-campus homecoming Oct. 26 vs. Michigan State, Illini football will host a “Chicago Homecoming” this fall for the thousands of UI alumni in Chicago when the Fighting Illini face the Washington Huskies at Soldier Field on Sept. 14.
Follow paulmbanksIllini announce new OC, 10 members of incoming class enrolling early
January 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Illinois football announced Bill Cubit as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following an eight-year stint as head coach at Western Michigan. Cubit led WMU to a 51-47 overall record and three bowls during his tenure with the Broncos.
With the hiring, Billy Gonzales will be re-assigned as wide receivers coach after serving as co-offensive coordinator in 2012. The other co-offensive coordinator was fired; thank goodness. You remember how atrocious the Illini were on offense in 2012, ranking 12th (dead last) in the Big Ten in most major categories and close to the bottom nationally.
Follow paulmbanksIllini coach taken out by referee (video)
November 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It’s been that kind of year for the Illinois Fighting Illini and their hopeless coach Tim Beckman. At 2-10, winless in conference and blown out in more than half their losses, it’s been pure phantasmagoria.
Today’s blowout loss to Northwestern brought more pain. On the field, and the sideline.
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Ranking ’12 Illini football AWFULNESS among other TERRIBLE Illinois teams
November 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The state of Illinois football has long been declared a disaster area. FEMA will be sending aid soon to clean up the wreckage created my Superstorm Tim Beckman. Actually, the true creator of this mess is Athletic Director Mike Thomas, but that’s another column for another time. Clearly, Beckman is in way over his head, and Thomas had no clue what he was doing when he hired him.
I’ve seen NFL mock drafts with four Illini defenders being taken in the first three rounds. And what has Beckman been able to do with that talent on defense? 31.5 ppg against. second to last in the Big Ten.
Follow paulmbanksIllini offensive line among worst ever
October 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Tim Beckman isn’t the only reason the Illinois Fighting Illini are completely atrocious this season. Sure, he’s the main reason; as he’s clearly over-matched every week and in over his head.
However, the main driving force behind the Illini being awful is the complete ineptitude of the offensive line. More than halfway through the season, the Illini are dead last in the Big Ten (and a very weak Big Ten at that) in rushing yards per game and also dead last in sacks allowed. They can’t open holes nor can they protect the quarterback.
Follow paulmbanksIllini QB Nathan Scheelhaase tries to hi five referee, fails (video)
October 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Early in the Illini Badgers game Saturday, Illinois had a lead. It didn’t last long as the Illini lost 31-14. But after scoring, Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase tries to actually hi five the referee. The zebra knows better than to do something showing allegiance like that, and Scheelhaase stumbles as the ref leaves him hanging.
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Illini coach Tim Beckman caught chewing on sidelines; NCAA violation
October 7, 2012 By 1 Comment
Here’s a multi-media gaffe for you. Getting caught by television cameras with chewing tobacco when you’re a college football coach. And chew at practices and games is a NCAA violation for players and coaches.
That’s what happened with Illini coach Tim Beckman, who apologized for it after his team got destroyed by the Wisconsin Badgers 31-14 Saturday.
Follow paulmbanksWhy is Illinois so bad at football?
September 30, 2012 By 2 Comments
The Illinois Fighting Illini are 2-3, but those two wins came courtesy of a MAC and FCS team. They’ve been absolutely destroyed by every FBS team they’ve faced this season, even getting routed at home by a non power conference team in Louisiana Tech. In their three losses, the Illini have surrendered an average of 44 ppg.
Yesterday, Illinois, not Penn State looked like the team on sanctions with nothing to play for. The Nittany Lions didn’t gain many more yards than Illinois, but they didn’t make all the mistakes that the Illini did. PSU can’t go to a bowl, but looked like a bowl team. Illinois looks like 3-9, 4-8 at best. Considering that Illinois still has talent on the roster how did this happen?
Follow paulmbanksIllini win Tim Beckman’s debut convincingly
September 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
One thing is for sure- this Illinois Fighting Illini team can play some defense.
With starting quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase injured, safety Ashante Williams returned an interception 60 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to help Illinois and new coach Tim Beckman hang on for a 24-7 win Saturday over Western Michigan in the season opener for both teams.
The Illini opened up a 17-0 lead but their offense stalled when Scheelhaase left the game with an ankle injury late in the third quarter.
Follow paulmbanksIllini Football Media Day highlights
August 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
New Illinois football head coach Tim Beckman takes over for the fired Ron Zook. The rookie head coach (on a Big Ten level) from Toledo addressed the media yesterday (Here is the link to the 25 minute video) after a week at Camp Rantoul; the Illini train on the former Chanute air force base.
Here are some of the highlights of what he had to say
Follow paulmbanksIllini vs. Washington at Soldier Field in 2013
August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
University of Illinois Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced that the Fighting Illini will play the Washington Huskies at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 14, 2013. It will mark Illinois’ second game at the historic home of the Chicago Bears.
“This is a great opportunity for our football team to play in one of the most historic football venues in the nation,” Thomas said. “Soldier Field is in an incredible location that will allow our fans in the Chicagoland area and from around the state an opportunity to watch the Fighting Illini take on an outstanding Pac-12 opponent in Washington.”
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