Touchdown Times: November 21, 2013

Touchdown Times A publication of THE DAILY ILLINI Thursday, November 21, 2013

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Offense

Defense

Danny Etling 5 QB Akeem Hunt 1 RB Justin Sinz 84 TE DeAngelo Yancey 80 WR Gary Bush 6 WR Gary Bush 6 WR Kevin Pamphile 64 LT Jason King 72 LG Robert Kugler 57 C Jordan Roos 70 RG Justin Kitchens 51 RT

Bruce Gaston 90 DE Ryan Isaac 61 DT Greg Latta 91 DE Ryan Russell 99 LB Joe Gilliam 39 LB Sean Robinson 10 LB Ricardo Allen 21 CB Anthony Brown 9 S Taylor Richards 4 S Frankie Williams 24 CB Antoine Lewis 26 NICKEL

Purdue

Passing

C-A-INT

Danny Eting Rob Henry

96-189-6 81-152-6

Rushing

Carries 99 32 37

347 115 113

Receiving

Catches

Yards

Akeem Hunt Jr. Dalyn Dawkins Brandon Cottom

36 28 21

Akeem Hunt Jr. Justin Sinz DeAngelo Yancey

Defense

THE DAILY ILLINI | www.DailyIllini.com

2

Tackles

Anthony Brown Taylor Richards Will Lucas Frankie Williams Sean Robinson

58 54 53 53 39

Yards 1,042 832

Yards

343 302 421

Sacks 0 0 1 0 0

TD

Long

5 4

55 50

Avg

TD

3.5 3.6 3.1

TD

0 0 0

Long

2 3 1

44 17 55

TFL

INT

2 0.5 2.5 2 2

0 0 0 2 0

Offense

Passing

Sat., Oct. 26 vs. No. 13 Michigan State L, 42-3

Sat., Sept. 7 vs. Cincinnati W 45-17

Sat., Nov. 2 @ Penn State L, 24-17 (OT)

Illinois

C-A-INT

Yards 2,708

TD

Long

Rushing

Carries

Yards

Avg 5.2 4.1

TD

554 352

Receiving

Catches

Yards

TD

Long

Defense

Tackles

Sacks

TFL

INT

Josh Ferguson Donovonn Young

Josh Ferguson Steve Hull Spencer Harris

Jonathan Brown Earnest Thomas III Mason Monheim Zane Petty Eaton Spence

Sat., Sept. 14 vs. Washington (Soldier Field) L 34-24

Sat., Sept. 28 vs. Miami (Ohio) W 50-14

Sat., Nov. 9 @ Indiana L, 52-35

Sat., Nov. 16 vs. No. 4 Ohio State L, 60-35

!(& J( J-! J +"'$"' J"%%"'"

Tim Kynard 59 DE Austin Teitsma 44 NT Teko Powell 93 DT Houston Bates 55 LEO Jonathan Brown 45 WLB Mason Monheim 43 MLB Mike Svetina 34 STAR V’Angelo Bentley 2 CB Earnest Thomas 9 SS Zane Petty 21 FS Eaton Spence 27 CB

232-355-10

Nathan Scheelhaase

Schedule Sat., Aug. 31 vs. Southern Illinois W 42-34

Defense

Nathan Scheelhaase 2 QB Josh Ferguson 6 RB Steve Hull 9 WR Miles Osei 8 WR Spencer Harris 80 WR Jon Davis 3 TE Simon Cvijanovic 68 LT Michael Heitz 74 LG Alex Hill 52 C Ted Karras 69 RG Corey Lewis 70 RT

107 86

43 36 35

94 86 81 63 47

498 669 312

4 0 1 0 0

17

4 4 1

11.5 2 4.5 0 0

72

5 3

53 60 32

1 0 0 0 0

Games in bold are at home

Sat., Oct. 5 @ Nebraska L 39-19

Sat., Nov. 23 @ Purdue 11 a.m. | Big Ten Network

Sat., Oct. 19 vs. No. 16 Wisconsin L, 56-32

Sat., Nov. 30 vs. Northwestern 2:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

3

DARYL QUITALIG THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois’ Jonathan Brown (45) celebrates with Jaylen Dunlap (28) after Dunlap makes a deflection on a reception attempt during the game against No. 19 Washington at “Chicago Homecoming” at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 14.

Game of the weak: Illinois, Purdue searching for a win

BY STEPHEN BOURBON STAFF WRITER

It’s a game both teams have circled on the schedule.

The only teams in the Leaders division without a conference win, Illinois and Purdue will look to break losing streaks in West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday. Illinois (3-7, 0-6 Big Ten) will be actually favored in a conference game for the first time this season — looking to break a program record 20 consecutive Big Ten losses — when the team goes on the road against Purdue (1-9, 0-6) who have lost eight straight games overall.

With a bowl game out of the picture, the Illini have focused on breaking the programlong conference losing streak and the final two teams on the schedule, Purdue and Northwestern, have combined zero Big Ten wins this season.

“You know, the opponent doesn’t really

affect the type of game we’re going to have,” senior linebacker Jonathan Brown said. “We dictate what we do. When people have big games, it’s because of things we’ve done.”

The Boilermakers are having a particularly rough season under first year head coach Darrell Hazell, who knows Illini head coach Tim Beckman as both were position coaches at Ohio State during the mid-2000s.

Purdue has yet to beat an FBS program this season, with its only victory coming against Indiana State on Sept. 7. Purdue has lost by double-digits in eight of its nine losses, as its offense hasn’t been able to keep games competitive.

The Boilers start true freshman Danny Etling at quarterback after benching incumbent senior Rob Henry earlier in the season. Etling has experienced some growing pains in the first six games of his college career, completing just 50.8 percent of his

passes with five touchdowns compared to six interceptions.

“He’s gotten better, he’s developing,” defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. “They’re very similar to us. They’re better than their record shows. They’re close.”

The Boilers will also be without one of their top wide receivers for the rest of the season. Redshirt freshman B.J. Knauf sustained a high ankle sprain in Purdue’s loss to Penn State last Saturday and won’t return in the team’s final two games. Knauf has been one of the top playmakers for Purdue on both offense and in the return game on special teams.

The Illini have better news on the injury front, as starting left tackle Simon Cvijanovic is “probable,” according to Beckman. The junior’s return will help bolster an offensive line that gave up six sacks against Ohio State.

The strength of the Purdue defense is up

front with defensive tackle Bruce Gaston and in the secondary with senior cornerback Ricardo Allen. Gaston leads the team in tackles for loss and sacks, while Allen has a team-high three interceptions and three pass breakups. Purdue shifts the four-year starting cornerback from the outside, to the slot and all over the field, something Illinois offensive coordinator Bill Cubit is aware of.

“It’s funny, we faced them two years ago and they did the same thing,” he said. While the head coach at Western Michigan, Cubit faced Purdue in the 2011 Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl, losing 37-32. “That’s what is good about our offense though. We move all our guys all around, too, so they won’t get a bead on our guys. So it’ll be a little bit of a chess match back and forth with him.”

Stephen can be reached at sbourbo2@ dailyillini.com and @steve_bourbon.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

DARYL QUITALIG THE DAILY ILLINI

4

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

5

PLAYING FOR MORE THAN PRIDE Illinois hoping to secure foundation for future in final two games

BY SEAN HAMMOND SENIOR WRITER

“I

AM VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THIS COACHING

STAFF, THIS FOOTBALL TEAM AND EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THIS PROGRAM IS FIGHTING .”

IT

was the same old story.

Illinois head football coach Tim Beckman addressed the media with those words Monday, two days after his team lost its sixth straight game — this one at the hands of No. 3-ranked Ohio State, 60-35.

Illinois opened the game in a 28-0 hole and climbed back to within 12 before submitting to the Buckeyes stranglehold.

“No, it’s not a win,” Beckman said. “But what this team did do is get back up. They’re fighting back, from trainers to managers to coaches to players.”

But when is fighting no longer going to be enough?

This weekend’s matchup with the pitiful Purdue Boilermakers might be Illinois’ best chance to fight and actually come out with something to show for it. The Illini have two games left, and 5-7 looks a heck of a lot better than 3-9.

Change is on the horizon no matter what happens these last two weeks. But a pair of losses could make the changes drastic.

Whether Illinois wins or loses, familiar faces such as Nathan Scheelhaase, Jonathan Brown, Ryan Lankford, Corey Lewis, Miles Osei and Steve Hull — along with the rest of the Illini seniors — will all be gone. And the coaching staff is bound to see change in the offseason. It almost always does.

Coaches leave for positions that might be better or closer to home. But a pair of losses to end the season could mean major changes. Last season Beckman fired his co-offensive coordinators Billy Gonzales and Chris Beatty after a dreadful offensive campaign. Losses to the two teams that are currently last in the Legends and Leaders divisions — and a combined 0-12 in conference — could mean similar change near the top.

It was fair to assess Illinois as the underdog in every Big Ten game its played this season. Beck-

man knew his team was overmatched against Ohio State.

“We knew we had to play a perfect football game this last week,” Beckman said. “There’s a reason that they’ve won so many in a row. But we have to do that all the time, regardless of who we’re playing.”

For once, Illinois is favored in a Big Ten game.

At 1-9, Purdue is the conference doormat as Illinois was last year and as Indiana was the year before.

No matter the Illini’s opponent this season, they haven’t changed the way they prepared. Even with a bowl game out of reach and the Big Ten Championship game a distant mirage, they aren’t going to do things any differently these last two weeks.

“Nothing’s really changed,” Brown said.

Not yet.

“I want to build a foundation. I want to be part of the reason the losing streak snapped.”

JONATHAN BROWN LINEBACKER

A year from now, Brown could possibly be wearing an NFL uniform on Sundays. Everyone else’s future is more of a question mark. Lankford and Lewis could fi nd themselves on rosters or practice squads. Scheelhaase is more of a long shot.

Either way, these guys have two more games together in orange and blue.

“Knowing it’s the last two, we’re just really going to enjoy it a little bit more,” Brown said.

“Take everything in, soak it up and take it for what it is.”

Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit has a simple message for his seniors.

“He tells us not to have any regrets after this season,” said Osei, a senior wide receiver and former quarterback behind Scheelhaase.

Two losses to end the season would mean the seniors go out with the monkey still on their back.

“I want to build a foundation,” Brown said. “I want to be part of the reason the losing streak snapped.”

He’s not talking about the current six-game losing skid. He’s talking about the 20-game conference losing streak that dates back to 2011. Roughly half the undergraduate population has never seen the Illini win a Big Ten game since enrolling.

For the players who aren’t seniors, it’s about sending off the seniors on a high note.

“The goal is to fi nish 2-0,” sophomore cornerback V’Angelo Bentley said. “Build a stepping stone for next season and going into the spring.”

The Illini will look drastically different in 2014, especially on offense, where the key pieces of Cubit’s resuscitated passing attack will be gone.

The defense doesn’t lose a lot, but among the missing pieces will be its centerpiece: Brown.

So 2014 will not be the same old story. Beckman may say the same old thing, but it won’t be the same story. There’s no way for it to be. It will be a new story with new characters and new storylines.

There’s not a lot to play for anymore: two wins, the Purdue Cannon and the Land of Lincoln Trophy. There’s no silver lining.

“It’s surreal, I’ve had a lot of great moments playing in front of Illini nation and playing in front of my teammates,” Brown said. “It’s kind of sad, kind of bittersweet, but I’m going to enjoy it.”

Sean can be reached at sphammo2@ dailyillini.com and @sean_hammond.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

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6

Matchups to watch Illinois football has a fighting chance in weekend game against Purdue

BY ERIK PRADO ON-AIR REPORTER

Illinois offense vs.

Purdue Defense

FOLAKE OSIBODU THE DAILY ILLINI

Bill Cubit and Nathan Scheelhaase have to be extremely happy facing a Purdue defense that allows an average of 38 points per game. The Illini offense is in the middle of the pack, averaging 30.2 points per game. Steve Hull has had a coming-out party these past two weeks and now leads the team with 669 yards. Sophomore Josh Ferguson continues to excel as a pass catcher as the team desperately wants to end the Big Ten losing streak. The offense continues to carry the team on its back and this game will be no different.

Illinois’ Josh Ferguson breaks a tackle during the game against No. 3 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Illini lost 60-35.

ABBY DREY MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE

Frankie Williams of Purdue pulls down Allen Robinson of Penn State on a pass reception. The Nittany Lions defeated the Boilermakers, 45-21, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Saturday.

Illinois secondary vs. any semblance of a Purdue offense

BRENTON TSE THE DAILY ILLINI

Purdue does not have much of an offense. They rank 122nd among FBS teams in scoring, at 12.7 points per game. They average 65.4 yards rushing and 194.2 yards through the air. After getting manhandled in Big Ten play, this game represents a great opportunity for the Illini defense — notably the young secondary — to make plays and feel good about themselves. Do not underestimate a game like this. A good defensive outing, on the road, can be a vital building block for this young defense heading into next year.

Illinois’ Zane Petty tackles Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde during the game against No. 3 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Illini lost 60-35.

ABBY DREY MCCLATCHY TRIBUNE

Quarterback Danny Etling of Purdue looks to hand off the ball. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Purdue Boilermakers, 45-21, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Saturday.

Illinois football vs. the Big Ten losing streak Twenty games. Illinois football now owns the nation’s longest conference-losing streak. This is the giant monkey on the back for this program and the seniors are claiming for a chance to end on a positive note. The Purdue Boilermakers are an excellent candidate to have their names in the record book as Tim Beckman’s first Big Ten victory. Who knows, maybe a win this weekend will be the start of good things to come for the program.

FOLAKE OSIBODU THE DAILY ILLINI

Illinois’ Nathan Scheelhaase runs the ball during the game against No. 3 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Illini lost 60-35.

THE DAILY ILLINI FILE PHOTO

Illini fans attempt to complete a mosaic of colored cards during the game against No. 3 Ohio State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Illini lost 60-35.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

7

OURPICKS Eliot Sill Sports editor

(40-15)

Sean Hammond Stephen Bourbon Senior writer Staff writer

(39-16)

Torrence Sorrell Assistant sports editor

Erik Prado On-air reporter

Michael Wonsover Videographer

(40-15)

(42-13)

(35-20)

(40-15)

STREAM US ONLINE

AT WPGU.COM

Illinois at Purdue 37-16

49-2

11-6

28-14

40-17

35-32

44-21

56-49

49-44

45-38

42-37

45-42

Baylor at Oklahoma State

Texas A&M at LSU

THE DAILY ILLINI 33-24

45-42

28-24

37-30

31-27

41-38

your

number

Missouri at Ole Miss 35-17

38-25

39-20

38-20

24-21

40-31

31-

28-10

35-21

35-21

45-17

Wisconsin at Minnesota 35-27

Standings

Saturday, Nov. 23 Michigan @ Iowa

LEGENDS

CONF

OVR

LEADERS

CONF

OVR

MICHIGAN STATE

6-0

9-1

OHIO STATE

6-0

10-0

MINNESOTA

4-2

8-2

WISCONSIN

5-1

8-2

NEBRASKA

4-2

7-3

PENN STATE

3-3

6-4

IOWA

3-3

6-4

INDIANA

2-4

4-6

MICHIGAN

3-3

7-3

ILLINOIS

0-6

3-7

NORTHWESTERN

0-6

4-6

PURDUE

0-6

1-9

11 a.m. | Big Ten Network

One

SOURCE for

ARTS &

ENTERTAINMENT

Illinois @ Purdue 11 a.m. | Big Ten Network

No. 13 Michigan State @ Northwestern 11 a.m. | ESPN

Nebraska @ Penn State 2:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network

No. 19 Wisconsin @ No. 25 Minnesota 2:30 p.m. | ESPN

Indiana @ No. 3 Ohio State 2:30 p.m. | ABC

Every Friday

Thursday, November 14, 21, 2013

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8

The Illinois football drinking game ELIOT SILL Sports editor

T

he Illini hit the road this Saturday, which means you have no obligation to go to Memorial Stadium and sit in a vacant arena deprived of arguably the only thing that makes Illinois football watchable — alcohol.

While you’re sitting on your couch back home, soaking it all up, here’s the best gift I could think of to keep you occupied — the Illinois football drinking game.

Now of course, there’s a reason no alcohol is allowed in Memorial Stadium — Illinois football is a family activity and takes place in a family atmosphere. But we can’t deny our school’s, er, festive culture.

You can try this with soda, too.

Here are the rules: 1. Don’t play if you’re not of legal drinking age. If you’re getting too drunk, stop.

This game is for fun, not for children.

I’ve obviously never played this before, so I can’t gauge how sauced these rules will actually get you. Never binge drink, make good choices, basically all that stuff your parents tell you.

2. Take a shot after every Illinois touchdown.

First thing’s first. You’re wearing orange, aren’t you? Showing school spirit

and what not? You’re here to support, so this one’s obvious. This constitutes the happy-drinking portion of the game. Plus, Illinois is playing Purdue — a beatable opponent, and you’re watching, so if you wanna stick it through the whole thing, you need to believe by the end that this game means everything.

3. Every commercial break, take a drink.

This is the last of the pace-setting rules. It’s Illinois vs. Purdue we’re talking here, so when you think about it, if you’re watching commercials for this game, and maintaining your anticipation for the game to return from break, just what does that say about you?

It says you could use a drink, is what I’m getting at.

4. Every time Aaron Bailey comes in, take four drinks. If he runs the ball on a designed run, take four more. If he does so on a third-and-short or fourth-and-short situation and fails to get the first down, take five more.

5. If Steve Hull catches a pass, stand up, raise both your arms and shout “Steve Hull!” High five anyone in the room who gets the reference. Take one drink per each high five doled out.

6. Take two drinks for each Josh Ferguson high step or spin move.

Assuming Ferguson gets a lot of touches, this one could do you in.

7. Every time Ryan Lankford is shown or mentioned, pour some out for one’s homies.

8. Every time Bill Cubit tries a trick play, take four drinks. If it backfires on Illinois, take six more.

Cubit’s trick plays have gone down in usage lately, but I imagine we’ll get an increased dosage of them against a generally hapless Purdue squad. No reason not to empty the playbook anymore anyway.

This is the last of the offensive rules.

9. Every time a Justin DuVernois punt goes awry, take three drinks.

Every time DuVernois boots an outstanding punt, take two drinks. If Beckman should have just gone for it, take another drink.

10. Take a shot for every opposing touchdown of 40 yards or more.

I’m sorry.

11. Take a drink for every Illinois tackle-for-loss. Two drinks for every Illinois sack.

It’d just feel really weird not drinking when this happened. It’d be like seeing a shooting star and not making a wish.

12. Take a drink every time defensive coordinator Tim Banks is shown on television looking like he’s trying not to think

If Illinois wins, take a shot.

If Illinois loses, take a shot.

about job security.

Banks’ job may be totally secure, for all we know. But the way his defense has performed, in this cruel and crazy market for coaches, it certainly wouldn’t be insane to think these may be his last two games on the Illinois sideline — his final game if Purdue bullies the Illinois defense.

If I were Mike Thomas, I’d give him another year. But I’m not Mike Thomas.

13. Take two drinks every time an opposing player catches a ball with five or more yards of space around him.

Illinois has tightened the screws somewhat on its coverage in recent weeks, but it seems the tighter coverage was cancelled out by the increased allowance of big plays (see rule 9).

14. Every time an opposing runner gets into the secondary untouched, take two drinks.

There’s a reason Illinois’ defensive backs frequently get so many tackles. It’s not because Banks has a hyperaggressive scheme. It’s because they’re the last line of defense, which makes them a frequent customer for taking the hits of opposing backs.

15. If Illinois wins, take a shot. If Illinois loses, take a shot.

You’ve put in a lot of work by this point.

Reward yourself and enjoy the rest of your Saturday.

Eliot is a senior in Media. He can be reached at sill2@dailyillini.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotTweet.

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