How the Illini handled Minnesota

Saturday was supposed to be a new beginning for No. 24 Illinois, but Minnesota and coach P.J. Fleck weren’t given the playbook. Before the Illini (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) head into Week 11 and their home matchup against Michigan State, let’s take a look at their progress and identify some areas for improvement.

Running back Josh McCray (72 yards on seven carries vs. Minnesota) is currently the only Illini ball carrier who can make something out of nothing. Too often, that is exactly what he is left to do. The Illini continue to produce decent results, but almost in spite of themselves rather than because of dedication or execution. Based on this team’s design, Illinois is relying on consistent, reliable play. Just maybe don’t hold your breath.

Pat Bryant was probably out of his mind. Zachary Franklin was hit. Minnesota uncharacteristically increased its blitz packages, and while Illinois’ pass defense was fantastic at times, it made quarterback Luke Altmaier nervous in games when it wasn’t. But these are not excuses that good teams make for themselves. Too little consistency and too many missed opportunities.

There are some bright spots – Bryant, for example, is a beast at this stage – but they are mostly random and inconsequential unless put together on a consistent basis. Saying that the Illini need to put helmets on helmets sounds too simplistic to get more and better lift off the ground on first and second downs to help their efforts to keep Altmaier upright, but in reality it sounds too simplistic. is so simple. Illinois loses ahead too often.

Make a couple of big plays for Minnesota and Illinois did a great job on Saturday. Unfortunately, big plays like Gophers running back Darius Taylor’s 29-yard touchdown still count. The Illini D will always be better against the run if he has leverage (especially fresh legs and advantage), but you can’t always get what you want.

All things considered, this zone was a highlight for Illinois in Week 10. Guard Xavier Scott was injured in the second half, but the Illini secondary (barely) didn’t miss a beat while he recovered — and they did it without much help. I’m in a hurry from the pass. I wonder what the results would look like if defensive coordinator Aaron Henry applied extra pressure more often, especially since the Illinois offense struggles to create enough big plays of its own.

The Illini continue to have success here, especially whenever forward David Olano takes the field. This is no knock on Ethan Mochulski, who gave him an old college try with a 55-yard field goal (which hit the leg but missed the goal) late in the first half. It also doesn’t have to do with punter Hugh Robertson, whose carry time has been down lately but who sealed Minnesota’s drive at its own 2-yard line with a 53-yard punt and stuck another inside the 20-yard line. The cover teams were, as usual, impeccable. .

Hard? May be. But take it as a compliment that Champaign raised the bar. Bielema and his team had several bright spots on Saturday, including when the head coach successfully argued against a timeout that was wrongly called for Illinois at a key moment, as well as a well-executed effort to end both halves that tied together scoring chicken moments. scratch. But the Illini necessary this game to bounce back from their loss at Oregon and ultimately get where they think they are going. But neither the idea nor the execution was up to par. Everyone on the home line had at least a slightly shorter performance on Saturday.

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