Ohio State hiring Urban Meyer this was not. Utah hiring Urban Meyer this could possibly be. Even though it's not official yet, conventional wisdom, the status quo and 4 out of 5 dentists agree: Toledo Rockets head Coach Tim Beckman will soon become the successor to Ron Zook at Illinois. This Illini head coaching hire has far less pizazz and excitement than any hire … [Read more...] about Illini Hire Tim Beckman From Toledo: Very Underwhelming on Paper
illinois football
Illini Defensive End Whitney Mercilus Wins Top National DE Award
Illinois junior Whitney Mercilus has won the 2011 Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. Mercilus led the nation in sacks, sacks per game and forced fumbles while ranking sixth nationally in tackles for loss per game. He becomes the first Illini national award winner since Dana Howard (1994) and Kevin Hardy (1995) won the Butkus Award (best linebacker in college football) … [Read more...] about Illini Defensive End Whitney Mercilus Wins Top National DE Award
Next Illini Head Coach: Houston’s Kevin Sumlin?
Word is Illini Athletic Director Mike Thomas could introduce the new Illinois Head football coach any day now. He said he would move fast; and he seems to be doing it. Most of what we've being hearing in the media involves guys saying they haven't been contacted by the University of Illinois. That includes Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who seems very … [Read more...] about Next Illini Head Coach: Houston’s Kevin Sumlin?
So Where Does Ron Zook, a True Nice Guy, Go From Here?
A funny thing happened on the way to Illinois cleansing and ridding itself of the Ron Zook era. Honestly, as someone who has written numerous pieces for The Sports Bank about how much Zook needed to be fired over the years, I just didn't see it coming. I felt bad. I really did. (guest post from Paul Schmidt) There's a fundamental problem with dancing on the grave … [Read more...] about So Where Does Ron Zook, a True Nice Guy, Go From Here?
Top Immediate Priorities for New Illini Football Coach
Ron Zook is gone. However, he was only one part of a larger college football problem in Champaign-Urbana. Zook "made history," by becoming the first coach in FBS history to "accomplish" this feat- starting 6-0, finishing 6-6. But Zook wasn't that much worse than Lou Tepper or Ron Zook, they all won only about a 1/3 of their Big Ten games. So this needs to be a revolutionary … [Read more...] about Top Immediate Priorities for New Illini Football Coach
Michigan Has Emerging Star at Tailback in Fitzgerald Toussaint
No matter what team you root for in college football, you have to admit it's cool that the Michigan Wolverines have both Fitzgerald and Hemingway playing the offensive skill positions for them. We've profiled wide receiver Junior Hemingway, who's had "A Movable Feast" of receiving yards this season. Now we profile Fitzgerald Toussaint who ran for a career-high high 192 yards … [Read more...] about Michigan Has Emerging Star at Tailback in Fitzgerald Toussaint
Your Denard Robinson Wrist Injury Update
For the Michigan Wolverines offense, tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint was the bellcow, finishing the 31-14 win over the Illini with 192 yards rushing on 27 carries; two touchdowns. Single threat quarterback Denard Robinson had two rushing touchdowns to go with 42 yards on the ground, on 11 attempts. He threw 6-11 for 91 yards and two picks, although one was an end of half … [Read more...] about Your Denard Robinson Wrist Injury Update
Michigan Wolverines Shut Down Illini; Win Low-Scoring Big 10 Affair
67-65 in multiple overtimes this was not. This meeting between the Illini and Wolverines was much less "college basketball on AstroPlay" than last year. Michigan still won; this time with a different style. Out of the gates Michigan dominated. They held a 172-13 yardage advantage after one quarter of play; 249-30 at the half. UM tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint had 121 yards … [Read more...] about Michigan Wolverines Shut Down Illini; Win Low-Scoring Big 10 Affair
Penn State Gets Gift Win From Pathetic Illinois’ Special Teams, Offense
It was one of the ugliest college football games of all time. Certainly one of the ugliest Big Ten games. Not a good showcase of the conference on ABC's national game. (The national media are going to have a field day ripping the conference after this one). Call it the football equivalent of the infamous 38-33 college basketball game played by these two schools in Champaign … [Read more...] about Penn State Gets Gift Win From Pathetic Illinois’ Special Teams, Offense
Ohio St. Buckeyes Give Illini 1st Loss of Season in Boring Game
It was ugly, and anything but exciting. Still, Ohio State gave the Illini their first loss of the 2011 season. Buckyes QB Braxton Miller didn't even complete a pass until 13:06 left in the fourth quarter, when he found TE Jake Stoneburner in the middle of the south end zone to put OSU up 16-0. They held on to win 17-7. Prior to that play, Miller was just 0-3 passing on the … [Read more...] about Ohio St. Buckeyes Give Illini 1st Loss of Season in Boring Game