Neither Illinois nor Minnesota scored and it was 29 minutes 55 seconds. There isn’t even a field goal (Goals missed a goal at the end of the first half).
Tony Petersen has tightened Irini’s attack considerably with a two-score lead, which Irini’s defense could maintain. The last Minnesota drive accounted for a significant portion of the third quarter. It ended with Illinois stopping in 4th and 6th place. It’s not just a normal stop. Owen Kearney fired Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan and rowed a boat.
Let’s see what will come in the next 15 minutes.
*** ***
Minnesota fans kicked the team off the field at the end of the first half. The deficit of two touchdowns to Illinois does that.
Irini didn’t do much in the first and second quarters to gain incredible momentum. There is basically nothing. Illinois isn’t running very effectively, dropping to 4.6 yards per carry, but essentially abandoning pass games in the second quarter.
Therefore, today’s game has basically evolved into an Australian Panther battle between Breakhaze, Illinois and Mark Crawford, Minnesota. The Gophers had an edge in the field position as Crawford won the battle, but they couldn’t take advantage of it.
*** ***
If you have 9 blockers in the field, you can throw them. Illinois has finished its second offensive ownership of the game with a 15-yard play action pass for a touchdown between Brandon Peters and Tip Rayman.
Of course, Irini averaged 6.2 yards per carry in the run game, so the play action went well. This is an interesting combination of the traditional set, barge, and even Wild One look and Isaiah Williams running read options.
The result was arguably the two best drives of the season for Illinois. Obviously with recent biases, Irini has never been so aggressive and productive early in the game this season.
*** ***
Illinois played nine games in a row to start the season without recording a first-quarter touchdown. One successful drive following Minnesota’s turnover, and Ilini more than doubled their first-quarter scoring efforts in the tenth game of the season. It wasn’t difficult when the points in the first quarter to Isaiah Williams’ two-yard touchdown run were Kirby Joseph’s safety and James McCourt’s field goal.
However, Irini basically had to score on this drive. Otherwise, it would have been a pretty big chance after Tarick Burns intercepted Tanner Morgan in the midfield. It’s not that Illinois isn’t taking advantage of similar opportunities. However, in order to win the battle against Minnesota, the leader of the Big Ten West, you need to turn takeout into points as much as possible.
*** ***
There was no real surprise in Illinois’ travel roster, except for the fact that wide receiver Brian Hightower did not travel to Minneapolis. This is another chapter in the High Tower Saga this season, where we saw one of last year’s top receivers deal with a shoulder injury and start this year, suffering another soft tissue injury when the shoulder is cleared. I did.
Even if Hightower travels, it is not a guarantee that he would have played. The top three recipients in Illinois are Isaiah Williams, Casey Washington, and Donina Baro, followed by Depth Charts by Depthspan, Carlos Sandy, and Pat Bryant. Some Miles Scott snaps conclude what was a rotation.
Other notable points …
-Illinois has traveled three quarterbacks: Brandon Peters, Rian Johnson, and Matt Robinson. That should be enough, but if for some reason Williams and Span can fill the pinch.
-True freshmen to travel include Bryant and Scott, Josh McRae’s running back, defensive back DD Snyder II, Prince Green and Tyler Strain, fullback Kenena Oderga, and aggressive lineman Josh. -Includes Croots and Zachary Barref.
*** ***
Illinois basically has to keep Minnesota away from the Red Zone. Given how efficient the Gophers attack was from 20 yards this season, the alternative is not ideal.
Minnesota has converted 92.9% of Red Zone opportunities this season. This puts Gophers in 11th place nationwide, connecting with Alabama. Washington is a national leader who has transformed 100% (all 24) of Red Zone’s chances.
On the contrary, Irini is ranked 67th in the Red Zone Defense, allowing his opponent to convert 83.3% of his scoring chances within 20. Of course, Georgia is leading the country and its opponents can only have a red zone conversion rate of 57.1%. ..
The Minnesota Red Zone opportunity breakdown includes 26 scores with 28 chances, including 16 rush touchdowns, 4 pass touchdowns and 6 field goals.
Ryan Walters, Irini’s Defense Coordinator, breaks down the Gophers attack as follows: Quarterbacks (Tanner Morgan) are very accurate and make great decisions on time. The receiver always follows a clear route on the same page. They catch the ball very well.
“Obviously, their running back has dealt with some adversity in terms of injury, but they have many talented guys. To be honest, how well they are playing in advance. Given, it doesn’t really matter who you put the challenge for us is obviously on the line of scrimmage. To give you a chance, set the edges, contain the ball and look at the ball. You have to do a good job of keeping in front. Take a better down and distance in the third and get off the field. “
*** ***
Illinois is pretty healthy for today’s game, beyond the players excluded during the season. Of course, that’s not the case this season. Both end-of-season and protracted types of injuries have consistently appeared throughout the season.
This is a new experience for Illinois coach Brett Burma.
“Okay, it’s a big ten play, but I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced it in 13 years because the head coach has caused such a big change in the offensive and defensive starters,” Burma said. .. “Not only are we losing the most of the season, but there are also weekly guys coming in and out of the lineup based on injuries. It’s frustrating, but it’s no excuse. That’s one of your reasons. It’s just a department. We have to overcome it and come up with the best plan to give us the opportunity to succeed. “
The line-up discrepancy only created more difficulty for the Illinois attack, which struggled to score throughout the season. That is why Irini has tried so many different personnel groups.
“We started with more than 11 people earlier this year, but then 12 people and now we have 21 people,” said Bielema. As a review, 11 people have 3 wide receivers, 1 tight end and 1 run, 12 people have 2 tight ends, and 21 people have 2 backlooks.
“Several larger groups have succeeded,” continued Irini’s coach. “I’m trying to maximize (difficult) by deciding who your best 11 players are. As a head coach, I’m always pushing for better players. And I think I’ve tried to put myself in a position to succeed. “”
*** ***
Here’s how similar Illinois and Minnesota are when it comes to running a game scheme. Gophers started a match against Northwestern last week with six aggressive linemen. It’s not the appearance of Irini’s “barge”, but it’s pretty close. And when you think of tackles, Daniel Faarele is 6′-9 and 380 lbs, well, that’s almost one-seventh in advance.
Brett Burma noticed.
“The way they were able to run football is fairly consistent, especially in the last three games,” said an Illinois coach. “I appreciate the offensive thinking. It doesn’t matter who is back there. Their offensive line is the big physical guy who covers you and drives football. They are tight. Using the end. They are a 12-jumbo package. This is actually only one person away from the barge type concept.
“Their quarterbacks really go well with what they did in the run game. He understands it and sees it, he’s a very accurate passerby. They’re actually another quarterback. Have a wildcat job and see why the team wins, one of the important things that jumps at me is the only power 5 team in the top 15 of rush offense and rush defense That’s a common feature. It’s pretty good. “
*** ***
Good morning from Minneapolis. Beatwriter Scott Ritchie (that’s me) is all set up at Huntington Bank Stadium, with just a two-hour kick-off between Illinois and Minnesota.
It’s a beautiful day in Minnesota, with temperatures expected to be 54 degrees Celsius on sunny days and kick-offs, and in the low 60s in the afternoon.
It should be decided if it turns out to be a good day for Illinois. Ilini couldn’t take advantage of the momentum of the last Roadwin and will play in today’s game following Rutgers’ disappointed Homeros. Irini is also a weak man with 14 1/2 points on Game Day and is probably fair. Minnesota, the leader in Big Ten West, may have won four games in a row, but Gophers isn’t exactly overwhelming their opponents (except last week at Northwestern University).
Minnesota simply does two things and does them well. Gophers’ rugged attack line only punctures the next 100-yard rusher, so three injuries at the end of the season with a running back are not a problem. Minnesota had two of them last week. The season starts from the back, which started from 4th and 5th on the depth chart.
Gophers also stops running. It’s almost the same as Wisconsin. If you remember last month’s homecoming game in Champaign, it’s not necessarily a good omen for Illinois. Unless Brandon Peters can build his best game in almost a calendar year. It’s basically a necessity.
Minneapolis can be a tough day for Irini. Of course, that’s pretty much what everyone outside the Smith Center thought two weeks ago before Illinois won the Happy Valley.
Is the road disruption repeatable? You’ll know in a few hours.
Gameday Central | Illinois 14, Minnesota 0; End of Q3 | Sports
Source link Gameday Central | Illinois 14, Minnesota 0; End of Q3 | Sports
The post Gameday Central | Illinois 14, Minnesota 0; End of Q3 | Sports appeared first on Illinois News Today.
No comments:
Post a Comment