Press Box Bundle: Illinois vs. Minnesota
Illinois running back Dre Brown (25) celebrates with wide receiver Ricky Smalling (4) after scoring a touchdown during the game against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 3.
November 7, 2018
The Daily Illini Game Day Podcast:
The Daily Illini Game Day Podcast: Illinois vs. Minnesota by DI Sports
The Daily Illini sports editor Eli Schuster, on-air sports editor Jake Hasan and football beat reporter Gavin Good bring you their thoughts and reactions live from the press box at Memorial Stadium during Illinois’ matchup against Minnesota.
Observations:
It only took one game for the Illini to flip the script on the 2018 season.
A Lovie Smith-led defense showed huge signs of improvement and the Rod Smith offense continued to flourish. For, arguably, the first time in the Lovie era, the Illini football team showed convincing signs of a bright future.
The win for Illinois couldn’t have come at a better time; three-straight losses gave off a very familiar feeling for a program that went on a 10-game losing streak to close out the 2017 season. In addition, the Lovie hot seat conversation was turned to a simmer after Illinois’ blowout loss to Maryland, but the head coach quickly turned the burner off with his team’s strong showing.
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As I made sure to tweet after Reggie Corbin’s second long touchdown run of the day, he is absurd. Corbin ran for a total of 78 yards last season and has now put himself at the third spot big ten with 952. The sheer explosiveness out of the backfield and the elusive ability to make defensive players miss in space is a deadly combination for opposing defenses.
The win over Minnesota also demonstrated that no matter the running back for the Illini, he can get the job done. Dre Brown’s story back to the football field is a remarkable one. The young man missed back-to-back seasons after coming to the University in 2015. Three years later, the junior rushed for his first touchdown in an Illini uniform on a 72-yard score.
Quarterback AJ Bush had a fight back to the limelight as well, losing the starting quarterback position earlier this season. The performance he put up against Minnesota was not only the best of the season but the best of his long collegiate career. Bush was finally looking like the quarterback on display in training camp. His arm has never been the most impressive, but Rod’s game plan to keep the passes short helped Bush put up a very productive outing through the air. The rushing display of Bush looked as expected, demonstrating his ability to keep plays alive and put points on the board with his legs.
On all cylinders, the offense was clicking.
On the defensive side of the ball, the performance was simply refreshing. Lovie demonstrated why he has been viewed as one of the best minds in the game, taking a defense that has been, for the lack of a better work, a mess into something relatively consist. Now, the following games against Nebraska and Iowa will pose new challenges as Lovie stays in the defensive play-calling position, but fans should be encouraged by the quick change he was able to make.
Also hearing that Lovie spoke with each unit of the defense to ask what the players thought could be done differently exposes a side to this team we all haven’t seen before. If anything, the inner workings of this team have appeared to be butting heads over the past three years, resulting in many transfers and several suspended players. However, the connection between Lovie and his players may have greatly expanded with the massive win and the coaches ability to give them a voice.
The season is by no means a success just yet, but doubling to win total in a blowout fashion most definitely has its perks.
Photos of the game:
Tweets of the game:
Elias Schuster on Twitter: “Who else?Second play of the game and Reggie Corbin gets a 72-yard TD run. He is fun to watch. #Illini 7 Gophers 014:21 to go in the 1st quarter / Twitter”
Who else?Second play of the game and Reggie Corbin gets a 72-yard TD run. He is fun to watch. #Illini 7 Gophers 014:21 to go in the 1st quarter
Gavin Good on Twitter: “What a moment.72-yard touchdown, DRE BROWN! Amazing to see Brown do that after the injuries he’s been through. #Illini lead 14-7 against Minnesota (8:01, Q1) / Twitter”
What a moment.72-yard touchdown, DRE BROWN! Amazing to see Brown do that after the injuries he’s been through. #Illini lead 14-7 against Minnesota (8:01, Q1)
Jake Hasan on Twitter: “#Illini defense is making stops and AJ Bush is completing throws what is happening / Twitter”
Illini defense is making stops and AJ Bush is completing throws what is happening
Elias Schuster on Twitter: “TOUCHDOWNSmalling finally makes an explosive play. The Illini look fast today. On the right side of the big plays for once. #Illini 24 #Gophers 147:48 to go in the 2nd quarter / Twitter”
TOUCHDOWNSmalling finally makes an explosive play. The Illini look fast today. On the right side of the big plays for once. #Illini 24 #Gophers 147:48 to go in the 2nd quarter
Gavin Good on Twitter: “No sir, says the #Illini defense! Another stop. Minnesota will punt from its own 34-yard line. #Illini winning the big play battle and the field position battle today / Twitter”
No sir, says the #Illini defense! Another stop. Minnesota will punt from its own 34-yard line. #Illini winning the big play battle and the field position battle today
Elias Schuster on Twitter: “Lovie Smith walking into the press conference today to talk about his defense. #Illini pic.twitter.com/danNn54MTm / Twitter”
Lovie Smith walking into the press conference today to talk about his defense. #Illini pic.twitter.com/danNn54MTm
Gavin Good on Twitter: “Been a bit since the #Illini got to sing in front of the fans after a Big Ten win. Hail to the Orange -> Mo Bamba by Sheck Wes pic.twitter.com/wkMEAg1miz / Twitter”
Been a bit since the #Illini got to sing in front of the fans after a Big Ten win. Hail to the Orange -> Mo Bamba by Sheck Wes pic.twitter.com/wkMEAg1miz
The Daily Illini Sports on Twitter: “Lovie Smith talks the Illini’s dominant 55-31 win over Minnesota. https://t.co/mrZOpCI8DC / Twitter”
Lovie Smith talks the Illini’s dominant 55-31 win over Minnesota. https://t.co/mrZOpCI8DC
@Schuster_Elias
