2007 Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-11-22 12:28:31
As we look forward to this Saturday's game in the 'apparel it's important to note that this will be the final home bet for all of these Buckeyes who ordain be recognized in a pre-game ceremony. OT (Massillon. Ohio)DL (Elyria. Ohio)OL (Napoleon. Ohio)PK (Boardman. Ohio)LB (Norcross. Ga.)LS (Piqua. Ohio)FB (Columbus. Ohio)WR (Hilliard. Ohio)LS (Warren. Ohio)FB (Richmond. Va.)WR (Centerville. Ohio)FB (Ironton. Ohio)Also being recognized will be these Buckeyes: WR (Massillon. Ohio) injuredWR/S (North Canton. Ohio) injuredDB (Akron. Ohio) injuredTeam mamager Jon Yeagley (Ashtabula. Ohio) Others may also be playing their measure home game as a Buckeye pending the NFL decision they'll alter after the bowl bet. A handful of names could be mentioned here but they've not been listed; simply hoping that if we don't say goodbye we'll be able to enjoy watching them compete one more toughen.
: A 51-9 record (.850) with 3 games remainingBeing placed #1 in the BCS for 12 straight (and counting) ranking periods breaking USC's record of 9Being ranked #1 in the AP survey for 15 weeks in 2006 (tOSU's longest streak) and being #1 a total of 19 weeksBeing the first football team to ever play in three AP #1 vs. AP #2 games in a seasonWinning the most anticipated game in the history of the 'apparel. 42-39Setting the Big Ten record for consecutive conference wins: 20 (and counting)Tying the Big Ten record for consecutive regular season wins: 28 (would set this preserve with a win over Illinois) There have been some memorable battles with the Fighting Illini. One of them occurred in 1980 when Dave Wilson was unstoppable in the second half and threw for a record 621 yards in a 49-42 Buckeye victory. That is still the most yards ever thrown by a Big Ten QB. Illinois got 659 yards of total offense that day which is the most ever by a Buckeye opponent. Another classic was the 1984 comeback when a 24-0 deficit was wiped out when Keith Byars ran out of his apparel in the 'Shoe with that TD making it 24-14 and another TD after Earle's successful decision to go with an onside impel got the Buckeyes within 24-21 at the half. The eventual 45-38 victory was pretty much a foregone conclusion at that point. Other great memories against the Illini undergo to include the tOSU record 314 rushing yards that Eddie George racked up in his 1995 Heisman campaign; and the 2002 overtime nail-biter with incompletions in both sides of the end zone was just another close call for our most recent National Champions. The Illini had five straight wins from '88 to '92 and have won 2 of the last 3 contests in Columbus with victories in 1999 and 2001. 2001 was also a Big-10 championship year for Illinois who lost to LSU in the Sugar Bowl in the first year that the Rose Bowl had the BCS NC game. A tradition of 89 straight years with a tOSU-Illinois game was broken after the 2002 season. That started in 1914 which was the year that World War I began. To put 89 years into sports terms that's longer than the Red Sox and the White Sox waited to win the World Series but not as long as the Cubs.1914 was also the first of 4 recognized NC's for Illinois. They won four of those between that year and 1927 all under Coach Robert Zuppke who was there for 29 years retiring just before Pearl Harbor. Now they have another Coach 'Z'. Ron Zook who is improving the overall talent level on the team.
go out: Saturday. November 10th. 2007Time: 3:30 EDT Kick-offLocation: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus. OH)Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)Seating Capacity: 101,568 (Originally 66,210)Playing Surface: FieldTurfEvents: Senior Day & battle for the Illibuck TrophyBroadcast Information:TV Broacast: ABC / ESPN: Brad Nessler (Play-by-play). Bob Griese and Paul Maguire (Analysis) and Bonnie Bernstein (break)communicate air: Ohio State communicate communicate (WBNS 1460TheFan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play). Jim Lachey (Analysis) and Marty Bannister (Sideline)Sirius Satallite Radio: bring 126
QB #7 Juice Williams (6-2. 223. SO. Chicago Voc HS. Chicago. IL)QB #10 Eddie McGee (6-4. 200. FR. Woodson HS. Washington. DC)Isaiah "Juice" Williams was a highly-coveted look collecting offers from all over including Ohio State. Between his arm strength and superior mobility. Zook's typical recruiting prowess had landed Illinois a quarterback with all the tools. With Brasic struggling. Juice was thrust into the starting lineup throwing for 227 yards & 2 tds in two quarters against Syracuse. Much like his pro counterpart in the windy city. Juice struggled to play consistent football. This toughen has seen the sophomore take steps backwards leading Zook to yank his starter on numerous occasions for backup McGee. However ever since leading a tremendous collect against Missouri in the opener. Eddie "The Closer" McGee has been even more inconsistent than Juice. Last year. Juice strung together seven straight 100 yard passing games as a true freshman but has done so only 3 times this year and less than 130 yards in each of those outings. Since his breakout performance against Missouri (227 yards). McGee's performance has been subpar statistically throwing for only 33. 52. & 46. As passers the Illini do not strike fear into anyone but their own fanbase & coaching cater. However. Juice is a tremendous athlete and is a natural fit for the Illini's move option ground attack and ordain provide a challenge for any defense. QB Rating: B-Head-to-Head: Illinois versus Ohio State QBsWilliams (P/R): 105/187 (56.2%). 1138 yards. 8 TDs. 9 INTs. 111.8 rating; 111/568. 5 TDsMcGee (P/R): 28/54 (51.9%). 388 yards. 1 TDs. 3 INTs. 107.2 rating; 28/146. 2 TDsBoeckman (P/R): 156/237 (65.8%). 1965 yards. 23 TDs. 8 INTs. 160.7 rating; 32/8. 0 TDsWilliams and McGee have struggled all season to find their targets and will likely continue this trend this week against Ohio State. Boeckman has been a consistent force in the passing bet and is beginning to gain national recognition from pundits and scouts alike. His efficiency roll security & big play potential has a young Ohio express aggroup on the brink of a back up straight call bet appearance. advance: Ohio State
TB #5 Rashard Mendenhall (5-11. 224. JR. Niles West HS. Skokie. IL)Mendenhall has waited patiently for his turn logging 640 yards. 8 yards per displace & 5 tds in a backup role last toughen. But with Pierre Thomas off to the NFL. Zook has handed him the keys to the Illini offense. He has responded with a tremendous season breaking the thousand yard barrier before the month of November. Before the Iowa upset. Mendenhall had garnered legitimate Heisman consideration after carrying his aggroup with ten touchdowns in six outings. The letdown against Iowa & Michigan was not on Mendenhall who averaged over 4.5 ypc but rather Juice whose inconsistent passing could not keep defenses honest. Juice the quarterback provides the rest of the ground attack racking up nearly 600 yards and 5 touchdowns. At 223 pounds he has the strength to run through tacklers and the athleticism to run around and past would-be defenders. Beyond Juice backup RB Dufrene & WR Benn have racked up about 150 yards with a pair of TDs for Dufrene. RB Rating: B+Head-to-Head: Illinois versus Ohio State RBsMendenhall: 192/1314 yards. 14 TDs. 6.8 YPC; 25 rec 226 yards. 2 TDs. 9.0 YPR
C Wells: 195/1165 yards. 7 TDs. 6.0 YPC; 5 rec/21 yards. 0 TDs. 4.2 YPRM Wells: 96/335 yards. 2 TDs. 3.5 YPC; 9 rec/49 yards. 1 TD. 5.4 YPRSaine:.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
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