Illinois Fighting Illini (NCAA 13)

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Game: NCAA Football 13
Sliders: Oraeon's
Recruiting: Heisman

O S K E E W O W - W O W

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New Illini Football Coach Named
by Buck Calhoun

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA-- Earlier today, there was a press conference in which Illinois AD Mike Thomas introduced their new head coach following the firing of Ron Zook prior to the 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Many college football analysts predicted that Toledo coach Tim Beckman would take the reigns, but Thomas proved that theory wrong. He announced the hiring of former NAIA Championship Coach Tony Irwin*. Irwin coached for the Sioux Falls Cougars football team. Under his coaching, the Cougars won the NAIA title 3 times in four years.

This move could have been suprising to some, as Irwin is just coming from NAIA to the big boys. In my opinion, however, he is more than ready for the job. He has a very intresting coaching personality, as he has been called everything from a "sparkplug" to a "maniac." He utilizes the One Back offense, and confirmed during the press conference that he will be making big changes to the offense, as well as tune up the defense how he sees fit.

We'll also be updating you on who signs on for the rest of the coaching staff.


(* = fictional name)

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Breaking Down The 2012 Fighting Illini Football Team
by Quinn Monroe

Hey everyone! Hope you are as ready as I am for college football to start back up. By now you all should know that we signed former NAIA coach Tony Irwin as our head coach. Sounds a bit sketchy, but I like his attitude and his ideas as a coach. Anyways, I thought I'd break down this year's team for you.

QB - #2 Nathan Scheelhaase (Redshirt Junior)
- Nathan is still just an average QB who will need to adjust to a new system. Coach Irwin will need to be on the lookout for young talent to replace him and backup Reily O'Toole. B-

HB - #6 Josh Ferguson (Redshirt Freshman)
- Ferguson is not confirmed to be the starter at tailback. He and sophomore Donovan Young will be competing for the top spot, and I can see them splitting carries somewhat evenly. A lot of young talent that will hopefully grow by the time they graduate. B

WR1 - #80 Spencer Harris (Junior)
- Spencer is the head of a rather weak and thin receiving corps. The top three guys are juniors, and none of them have one thing that really makes them a solid receiver. I have a feeling Irwin will be hitting recruiting hard for some big wideouts and a shiny new quarterback to get ready for Scheelhaase and the receivers graduation. C

WR2 - #15 Darius Millines (Junior)
- Like I've said above, this is a weak bunch of recievers. Him and fellow junior Ryan Lankford will be competing for the 2 and 3 spots. C

TE - #89 Evan Wilson (Junior)
- This is probably what drove Coach Irwin crazy when he first looked at the roster. A below average tight end. He is pretty big at 6'6, 250, but he lacks the receiving skill that you need to fit in with the new Illini offense. Expecting changes here. C-

O-LINE
- This is possibly the worst offensive line in the Big Ten. 3 of the 5 starters are graduating. The good news is, tackle Simon Cvijanovic is a sophomore and is a beast, and should only get better. Other than that, it might be a rough road. C-

LE - #59 Tim Kynard (Redshirt Junior)
- Kynard really is a below average end. He has only senior Justin Staples and freshman Kenny Nelson to back him up, who really aren't any better. Another big recruiting spot. D

RE - #99 Michael Buchanan (Senior)
- Now this is an impact player for the Illini defense. He's got great power moves and is a great tackler. Two freshman back him up, niether of which have much hype. Enjoy having Buchanan while it lasts. B+

DT1 - #94 Akeem Spence (Redshirt Junior)
- Another solid player on the Illini defense. A well-rounded player who is an especially good block shedder. B+

DT2 - #47 Glenn Foster (Reshirt Senior)
- Foster isn't a terrible D-Tackle, but considering that he is a senior and not great, doesn't make the future look to bright. Sophomore Austin Teitsma might have a chance to take his starting job if he shows promise in spring practice. C

LOLB - #25 Ashante Williams (Redshirt Senior)
- This OLB position is a real eyesore. Williams and fellow senior Tommy Davis are the only guys who primarily play the LOLB position, and to be honest they aren't great. They will be battling each other for the starting spot before the season. C-

MLB - #30 Houston Bates (Redshirt Sophomore)
- I have a good feeling about the middle linebacker position. Two young guys, Bates and freshman TJ Neal are on the rise and could become studs by the time they graduate. For sure, they will be intresting to watch. Bates is almost the guaranteed starter this year, though. C+

ROLB - #45 Jonathan Brown (Junior)
- This guy is the real star of this defense. He's fast, nimble, a great athlete. The kid is also a sure tackler, and excellent at recognizing the play. Hopefully he stays for his senior year, otherwise there might be a big problem. A

CB1 - #26 Justin Green (Senior)
- Justin is a solid cornerback, fast and great in coverage. This group of corners is senior-heavy, but two promising freshman are worth looking at after the season. B-

CB2 - #1 Terry Hawthorne (Redshirt Senior)
- Exact same playstyle as Green. Fast, good in coverage, but not as great an athlete as Green. Expect the two to play pretty well together. C+

FS - #4 Patrick Nixon-Youman (Senior)
- Average free safety. Freshman corner Ta'Jarvis Fuller has expressed intrest playing safety, and Coach Irwin has given him the okay to backup Nixon-Youman and prepare to perhaps start there next year, as long as there is another player at cornerback. C

SS - #5 Steve Hull (Redshirt Junior)
- Hull is a pretty good safety to have around for his last two years. Nothing overly special, but an outstanding athlete. Hull will also be doing kick/punt return duties. C

K/P - #18 Justin Duvernois (Sophomore)
- Duvernois will at least start out with both kicking and punting duties. Freshman kicker Taylor Zalewski will perhaps just go on for extra points, but as of now he doesn't have the leg strength to be the regular kicker. C+

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2012 Illinois Football Schedule

- 9/01/12 - vs Western Michigan
- 9/08/12 - at Arizona State
- 9/15/12 - vs Charleston Southern
- 9/22/12 - vs Louisiana Tech
- 9/29/12 - vs Penn State*
- 10/06/12 - at Wisconsin*
- 10/13/12 - at Michigan*
- 10/27/12 - vs Indiana#*
- 11/03/12 - at Ohio State*
- 11/10/12 - vs Minnesota*
- 11/17/12 - vs Purdue*
- 11/24/12 - at Northwestern*

* = Big Ten Conference Game
# = Homecoming Game

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Feel free to post, first preview and game should be up tomorrow!

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Matchup Preview | September 1, 2012
	@
Western Michigan Broncos (0-0, 0-0 Away)		Illinois Fighting Illini (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Offensive Stats Comparison 0.0 Points Per Game 0.0 0.0 Total Offensive Yards 0.0 0.0 Rushing Yards 0.0 0.0 Passing Yards 0.0 0.0 Points Per Game 0.0 Defensive Stats Comparison 0.0 Total Yards Allowed 0.0 0.0 Rushing Yards Allowed 0.0 0.0 Passing Yards Allowed 0.0 Injury Report Game Notes First game for new Illini coach Tony Irwin. Herbstreit predicts Illinois to win.