The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)



Columbus Catastrophe

#13 Ohio State 49 (10-1) (7-0), Illinois 27 (8-3) (4-3)

COLUMBUS, OH- Not often does a team that leads by 6 points going into the 4th quarter end up losing by 22, but the Illini did just that. Turnovers, botched plays, and lack of a defense killed the Illini's hopes of beating rival Ohio State. Coach Mario Black was really mad because his career is based off getting as many trophies as possible. He lost out on the Illinibuck trophy today.

Beanie Wells ripped through the Illini D, but got injured in the 2nd quarter. However, the Illini's run game was stifled throughout the game. Mendenhall was a non factor throughout the 2nd half.

Five interceptions were thrown by Garza, most of them late in the game. He struggled all day with accuracy. He also got injured for a few plays where he was replaced by WR DaJuan Warren. Warren had 2 throws, a TD pass and an INT. The Illini didn't want to remove the redshirt from third stringer Eddie McGee.

Next week the Illini close out the regular season with a home game against Northwestern.


ILL 10-7-10-0 27
OHI 0-14-7-28 49

Team Stats
Illinois
First Downs 12
Total Offense 374
Passing Yards 323
Rushing Yards 51
Turnovers 11 Seriously, no.
TOP 13:49

Ohio State
First Downs 21
Total Offense 449
Passing Yards 258
Rushing Yards 191
Turnovers 7 lol
TOP 18:15

Key Illini Individual Player Performances
B. Garza 17/32 258 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT
R. Mendenhall 16 carries, 64 yards; 3 catches, 71 yards, TD
D. Warren 1/2, 65 yards, TD, INT; 9 catches, 141 yards, TD
B. Miller 14 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, FR
K. Mitchell 13 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 FF
J. Sanders 10 tackles, TFL
J. Leman 10 tackles, 2 TFL, FR

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Big 10 Scores aka Please Iowa lose
Michigan State 56, Purdue 28
Iowa 40, Minnesota 7
Indiana 45, Northwestern 38
#6 Michigan 27, #19 Wisconsin 16 (sets up Ohio State/Michigan for the Big 10 title)
Penn State 49, Temple 7

Top 25 Losses
#6 Michigan 27, #19 Wisconsin 16
#2 Texas 63, #22 Texas Tech 17
#4 Florida State 31, #24 Virginia Tech 7
#5 Louisville 28, #8 West Virginia 24
#25 South Carolina 31, #7 Florida 14
Maryland 37, #12 Boston College 10
BYU 37, #23 TCU 28


BCS Top 25
1 USC (10-0)
2 Texas (11-0)
3 UCLA (10-0) <--- Barely won in OT over A-State
4 Florida State (10-0)
5 Louisville (10-0)
6 Michigan (10-1)
7 Tennessee (10-1)
8 Nebraska (9-2)
9 Auburn (9-2)
10 Ohio State (10-1)
11 West Virginia (7-2)
12 Hawaii (9-0)
13 Florida (8-2)
14 Texas A&M (10-1)
15 South Florida (9-1)
16 Mississippi State (8-2) <--- Movin' back up!
17 Miami (8-2)
18 Boise State (9-1)
19 Cincinnati (7-3)
20 South Carolina (8-3)
21 Boston College (8-2)
22 New Mexico (8-2) <--- What?
23 Wisconsin (7-4)
24 Central Michigan (9-1) <--- What?!?
25 Notre Dame (6-4) <--- WHAT?!?!?!?


Big 10 Standings
1 Ohio State (10-1) (7-0)
2 Michigan (10-1) (6-1)3 Iowa (8-3) (5-3)
4 Illinois (8-3) (4-3)
5 Penn State (7-4) (4-3)
6 Wisconsin (7-4) (3-4)
7 Indiana (5-6) (2-5)
8 Michigan State (4-7) (2-5)
9 Purdue (3-8) (2-5)
10 Northwestern (6-5) (2-5)
11 Minnesota (5-6) (2-5)

Injury Report
C. Devalt, probable, bruised shoulder (just list him healthy, he's already played a few games)
A. Gully, questionable, torn pectoral
J. Williams, 4 weeks, abdominal tear

Up Next
vs Northwestern

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)



Purple Crush

Northwestern 41 (7-5) (3-5), Illinois 35 (8-4) (4-4)

CHAMPAIGN, IL- 1 second left on the clock. Ball on the 11 yard line. Illinois needs a TD to win. And Garza throws a pick. Such a heartbreaking end to the season for the Illini as they get upset by Northwestern at home. They lose 2 straight rivalry games now, and have to wait to see what bowl game they qualify for.

Illinois held an early lead, but in the second half Northwestern took over. With 2 TDs in the 3rd quarter they managed to break out to a 7 point lead. Then in the 4th quarter they open up with a field goal. Illinois and Northwestern traded TDs before Illinois pulled within 3. Northwestern was able to bleed most of the clock off and get a FG leaving Illinois the ball and 20 seconds. On a huge 2nd down play, Garza hit Rashard Mendenhall for a huge gain down to the 11. He had tons of space, but the safeties came over forcing Mendenhall to play it safe and give them one more play. Then with one second, the Wildcats defense busted through the line and forced Garza to throw a bad pass to end the game.

Illinois has 2 bye weeks before going to a bowl game.


NWU 7-7-14-13 41
ILL 7-14-0-14 35

Team Stats
Northwestern
First Downs 24
Total Offense 527
Passing Yards 346
Rushing Yards 181
Turnovers 3
TOP 19:09

Illinois
First Downs 16
Total Offense 392
Passing Yards 302
Rushing Yards 90
Turnovers 3
TOP 12:57

Key Illini Individual Player Performances
B. Garza 18/30 302 yards, TD, 4 INT
R. Mendenhall 23 carries, 107 yards, 3 TD; 5 catches, 59 yards
D. Warren 3 catches, 98 yards, TD
J. Sanders 16 tackles, TFL
K. Mitchell 13 tackles, 2 TFL
C. Duvalt 10 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
V. Davis 9 tackles, TFL

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Big 10 Scores
#24 Wisconsin 38, Minnesota 7
Iowa 31, Western Michigan 28
Purdue 24, Indiana 20
Penn State 35, Michigan State 10

Big 10 Title Game
#10 Ohio State 37, #6 Michigan 0 (wow Michigan, just wow)

Top 25 Losses
#10 Ohio State 37, #6 Michigan 0
Maryland 20, #4 Florida State 9
#5 Louisville 46, #15 South Florida 17
#19 Cincinnati 35, #11 West Virginia 14
Nevada 24, #12 Hawaii 21
Virginia Tech 49, #17 Miami 19


BCS Top 25
1 USC (10-0)
2 Texas (11-0)
3 UCLA (10-0)
4 Louisville (11-0)
5 Ohio State (11-1)
6 Tennessee (10-1)
7 Nebraska (9-2)
8 Auburn (9-2)
9 Florida State (10-1)
10 Michigan (10-2)
11 Florida (9-2)
12 Texas A&M (10-1)
13 Mississippi State (9-2) <--- If they beat Ole Miss, or Auburn loses to Bama, they go to the SEC Title game
14 Cincinnati (8-3)
15 Boise State (10-1)
16 South Florida (9-2)
17 South Carolina (8-3)
18 Boston College (9-2)
19 West Virginia (7-3)
20 New Mexico (9-2)
21 Wisconsin (8-4)
22 Central Michigan (10-1)
23 Maryland (7-4)
24 Notre Dame (7-4)
25 Hawaii (9-1)


Final Big 10 Standings
1 Ohio State (11-1) (8-0)
2 Michigan (10-2) (6-2)3 Iowa (9-3) (5-3)
4 Penn State (8-4) (5-3)
5 Illinois (8-4) (4-4)
6 Wisconsin (8-4) (4-4)
7 Purdue (4-8) (3-5)
8 Northwestern (7-5) (3-5)
9 Minnesota (5-7) (2-6)
10 Indiana (4-7) (2-6)
11 Michigan State (4-8) (2-6)


Recruits
Jon Summers, 4 stars, WR
Matt Hall, 3 stars, DE
Derrick Carter, 3 star, G

Projected Bowl
Champ Sports Bowl vs Georgia Tech

Up Next
Bye Week

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Illini Award Finalists
Vontae Davis and Kevin Mitchell, Bednarik
Rashard Mendenhall, Walker
Ryan McDonald, Rimington
Vontae Davis and Kevin Mitchell, Thorpe
Will Judson, Best Returner

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Top 25 Losses
#2 Texas 63, #12 Texas A&M 7 (holy crap, Texas may win it all)
#9 Florida State 34, #11 Florida 31
Pittsburgh 41, #16 South Florida 14
#15 Boise State 31, #25 Hawaii 28


BCS Top 25
1 Texas (12-0)
2 USC (11-0)
3 UCLA (11-0) USC vs UCLA for the right to play for a title.
4 Louisville (11-0)
5 Ohio State (11-1)
6 Tennessee (11-1)
7 Nebraska (10-2)
8 Florida State (11-1)
9 Auburn (10-2)
10 Michigan (10-2)
11 Mississippi State (10-2) <--- SEC West Champs!
12 Cincinnati (9-3)
13 Boise State (11-1)
14 Boston College (10-2)
15 Texas A&M (10-2)
16 Florida (9-3)
17 South Carolina (9-3)
18 West Virginia (8-3)
19 New Mexico (10-2)
20 Wisconsin (8-4)
21 Notre Dame (8-4)
22 Central Michigan (11-1)
23 Penn State (8-4)
24 Georgia Tech (8-4)
25 Pittsburgh (8-3)

Projected Bowl
Champ Sports Bowl vs Maryland

Up Next
Bye Week

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Top 25 Losses
#18 West Virginia 39, #25 Pittsburgh 8
#3 UCLA 48, #2 USC 42 (UCLA advances to the National Championship game)


BCS Top 25
1 Texas (12-0)
2 UCLA (12-0)
3 Louisville (12-0) <--- Needs Texas to lose Conf Title game
4 Ohio State (11-1)
5 USC (11-1)
6 Tennessee (11-1)
7 Nebraska (10-2)
8 Florida State (11-1)
9 Auburn (10-2)
10 Michigan (10-2)
11 Mississippi State (10-2)
12 Cincinnati (9-3)
13 Boise State (11-1)
14 Texas A&M (10-2)
15 Boston College (10-2)
16 Florida (9-3)
17 West Virginia (9-3)
18 South Carolina (9-3)
19 New Mexico (10-2)
20 Wisconsin (8-4)
21 Notre Dame (8-4)
22 Central Michigan (11-1)
23 Penn State (8-4)
24 Georgia Tech (8-4)
25 South Florida (9-3)

Recruits
Isiah Black, 3 stars, G
Josh Talley, 3 stars, OLB
Ronald Clarke, 3 stars, SS

Projected Bowl
Champ Sports Bowl vs Maryland

Up Next
Conference Championship Week

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Conference Championship Games
ACC Championship Game: #8 Florida State 13, Miami 7
SEC Championship Game: #6 Tennessee 37, #11 Mississippi State 7
C-USA Championship Game: Tulsa 32, Memphis 22
MAC Championship Game: #22 Central Michigan 28, Kent State 14
Big 12 Championship Game: #1 Texas 41, #7 Nebraska 20

Conference Champions
ACC: Florida State
Big 12: Texas
Big East: Louisville
Big 10: Ohio State
C-USA: Tulsa
MAC: Central Michigan
Mountain West: UNLV
Pac-10: UCLA
SEC: Tennessee
Sun Belt: Troy
WAC: Boise State

Heisman Winner
Limas Sweed, Texas


BCS Top 25
1 Texas (13-0)
2 UCLA (12-0)
3 Louisville (12-0)
4 Ohio State (11-1)
5 Tennessee (12-1)
6 USC (11-1)
7 Florida State (11-1)
8 Auburn (10-2)
9 Michigan (10-2)
10 Cincinnati (9-3)
11 Nebraska (10-2)
12 Boise State (11-1)
13 Texas A&M (10-2)
14 Boston College (10-2)
15 Florida (9-3)
16 West Virginia (9-3)
17 Mississippi State (10-2)
18 New Mexico (10-2)
19 South Carolina (9-3)
20 Wisconsin (8-4)
21 Central Michigan (11-1)
22 Notre Dame (8-4)
23 Penn State (8-4)
24 Georgia Tech (8-4)
25 South Florida (9-3)


Up Next
Champ Sports Bowl: vs Miami

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Trophy Case (Now With Actual Trophies!)
07-08 Bednarik Award, Vontae Davis
07-08 Doak Walker Award, Rashard Mendenhall
07-08 Jim Thorpe Award, Kevin Mitchell
07-08 Best Returner, Will Judson

Illini All-Americans
NCAA 1st team: Rashard Mendenhall, Vontae Davis, Kevin Mitchell, Will Judson
NCAA 2nd team: Brit Miller, Brian Gamble, Justin Sanders
NCAA All-Freshman team: Brian Gamble
All-Big 10 1st team: Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan McDonald, Brit Miller, Brian Gamble, Vontae Davis, Kevin Mitchell, Will Judson
All-Big 10 2nd team: Chris Duvalt, Dere Hicks, Justin Sanders

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Bowl Games

Poinsettia Bowl: Rutgers vs San Deigo State
New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs North Texas
Papajohns.com Bowl: Pittsburgh vs East Carolina
New Mexico Bowl: TCU vs Toledo
Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona State vs UNLV
Hawaii Bowl: UAB vs Hawaii
Motor City Bowl: Troy vs #21 Central Michigan
Holiday Bowl: #13 Texas A&M vs Oregon State
Champ Sports Bowl: Illinois vs Miami
Texas Bowl: Houston vs Ohio
Emerald Bowl: Texas Tech vs Fresno State
Car Care Bowl: Maryland vs #25 South Florida
Liberty Bowl: Georgia vs Tulsa
Alamo Bowl: UTEP vs Wisconsin
Computers Bowl: Kansas State vs Eastern Michigan
Independence Bowl: Kentucky vs Rice
Armed Forces Bowl: Oklahoma vs #18 New Mexico
Sun Bowl: Oregon vs #22 Notre Dame
Music City Bowl: Ole Miss vs Virginia Tech
Chik-Fil-A Bowl: Arkansas vs #14 Boston College
Insight Bowl: Oklahoma State vs Northwestern
Outback Bowl: #19 South Carolina vs #23 Penn State
Cotton Bowl: #15 Florida vs #11 Nebraska
Gator Bowl: #10 Cincinnati vs #24 Georgia Tech
Capital One Bowl: #17 Mississippi State vs Iowa
Rose Bowl: #4 Ohio State vs #8 Auburn
Sugar Bowl: #5 Tennessee vs #12 Boise State
Fiesta Bowl: #6 USC vs #9 Michigan
Orange Bowl #7 Florida State vs #3 Louisville
International Bowl: Kent State vs #16 West Virginia
GMAC Bowl: Western Michigan vs Memphis

BCS National Championship Game: #2 UCLA vs #1 Texas

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)



Hurricane Mendenhall Ravages Central Florida

Illinois 41 (9-4) (4-4), Miami 35 (8-6)

ORLANDO, FL- It was apparent on the first Illini drive that the Juice/Mendenhall tandem was back. The option offense was expanded upon as the Illini now had 2 huge running threats throughout the whole game. One of those threats pulled off a career day.

With 261 yards and a couple of scores, Rashard Mendenhall may have just ended his Illini run with a game the Illinois faithful will remember forever. However, his draft status was not the worry for him today, the Miami Hurricanes defense was, or should I say the Miami Hurricanes defense was worried about him. On the 2nd play after the Illini had picked a red zone pass, Mendenhall took an option pitch from Williams and ran it 80 yards down the field for the opening score.

However, he was not done. With Miami down 10 in the 3rd quarter, Mendenhall pushed the lead to 17 with a 37 yard scoring run. This should've sealed the deal for Illinois, but Miami had other plans. After 2 quick scores in the 4th quarter, Illinois got the ball back at their own 38. The Williams/Mendenhall tandem proceeded to burn over 4 minutes off the clock on a field goal drive. This left Miami the ball down 6 with only 40 seconds left. Something they could not capitalize on.

Coach Mario Black said he was proud of his team in this Bowl win. The Illini faithful are happy to have him on board with a great 9 win season and Bowl Trophy a year after only having 2 wins.

The Illini go into the offseason with questions about Mendenhall's future. For now they'll celebrate the win and look to build on it next season.


ILL 7-17-14-3 41
MIA 7-7-7-14 35

Team Stats
Illinois
First Downs 16
Total Offense 521
Passing Yards 218
Rushing Yards 303
Turnovers 4
TOP 18:32

Miami
First Downs 15
Total Offense 382
Passing Yards 260
Rushing Yards 122
Turnovers 4
TOP 13:31

Key Illini Individual Player Performances
J. Williams 15/24 218 yards, 3 TD, INT; 44 rush yards
R. Mendenhall 26 carries, 261 yards, 2 TD; 4 catches, 36 yards
K. Hudson 5 catches, 105 yards, 2 TD
J. Leman 10 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT, FR
K. Mitchell 8 tackles, TFL, FF

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Bowl Game Results

Poinsettia Bowl: Rutgers 23, San Deigo State 21
New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss 26, North Texas 14
Papajohns.com Bowl: East Carolina 31, Pittsburgh 7
New Mexico Bowl: TCU 38, Toledo 31
Las Vegas Bowl: UNLV 28, Arizona State 21 (OT)
Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii 35, UAB 20
Motor City Bowl: #21 Central Michigan 42, Troy 35
Holiday Bowl: #13 Texas A&M 40, Oregon State 10
Champ Sports Bowl: Illinois 41, Miami 35
Texas Bowl: Ohio 21, Houston 19
Emerald Bowl: Texas Tech 31, Fresno State 20
Car Care Bowl: #25 South Florida 42, Maryland 21
Liberty Bowl: Tulsa 31, Georgia 24
Alamo Bowl: #20 Wisconsin 38, UTEP 0
Computers Bowl: Eastern Michigan 32, Kansas State 24
Independence Bowl: Kentucky 42, Rice 28
Armed Forces Bowl: Oklahoma 41, #18 New Mexico 3
Sun Bowl: #22 Notre Dame 31, Oregon 7
Music City Bowl: Virginia Tech 22, Ole Miss 21
Chik-Fil-A Bowl: #14 Boston College 20, Arkansas 17
Insight Bowl: Oklahoma State 38, Northwestern 14
Outback Bowl: #23 Penn State 31, #19 South Carolina 23
Cotton Bowl: #15 Florida 49, #11 Nebraska 16
Gator Bowl: #24 Georgia Tech 41, #10 Cincinnati 7
Capital One Bowl: Iowa 35, #17 Mississippi State 7
Rose Bowl: #8 Auburn 27, #4 Ohio State 10
Sugar Bowl: #5 Tennessee 41, #12 Boise State 31
Fiesta Bowl: #6 USC 41, #9 Michigan 31
Orange Bowl: #3 Louisville 34, #7 Florida State 31
International Bowl: #16 West Virginia 49, Kent State 19
GMAC Bowl: Memphis 54, Western Michigan 38

BCS National Championship Game: #1 Texas 30, #2 UCLA 25


2007-2008 National Champion Texas Longhorns

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Final BCS Top 25
1 Texas (14-0)
2 Louisville (13-0)
3 UCLA (12-1)
4 USC (12-1)
5 Tennessee (13-1)
6 Auburn (11-2)
7 Florida State (12-2)
8 Ohio State (11-2)
9 Florida (10-3)
10 Boston College (11-2)
11 Texas A&M (11-2)
12 Michigan (10-3)
13 Boise State (11-2)
14 West Virginia (10-3)
15 Penn State (9-4)
16 Georgia Tech (9-4)
17 Central Michigan (13-1)
18 Wisconsin (9-4)
19 Notre Dame (9-4)
20 Iowa (10-3)
21 Nebraska (10-4)
22 Cincinnati (9-4)
23 Oklahoma (9-4)
24 South Florida (10-3)
25 New Mexico (10-3)

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Trophy Case

Championship Trophies
None

Bowl Trophies
07-08 Champ Sports Bowl; Illinois 41, Miami 35

Player Trophies
07-08 Bednarik Award, Vontae Davis
07-08 Doak Walker Award, Rashard Mendenhall
07-08 Jim Thorpe Award, Kevin Mitchell
07-08 Best Returner, Will Judson

Rivalry Trophies
None

[marioinblack]

Re: The Quest for Many Trophies. (NCAA 08)

Offseason Year 1

Players Leaving
WR DaJaun Warren
SS Kevin Mitchell
LOLB Antonio Steele
LT Akim Millington
ROLB Jeremy Leman
DT Chris Norwell
FB Russ Weil
FB Justin Ijei
FS Justin Sanders
FS Justin Harrison
K Jason Reda
LG Martin O'Donnell
LG Ben Amundsen
RT Charles Myles
TE Kyle Knezetic

Player talked into staying: RASHARD MENDENHALL!!!!

Transfers
None

Recruits (note I let the computer do this for fairness)
WR Jon Summers, 4 stars
G Derrick Carter, 3 stars
DE Matt Hall, 3 stars
CB Chris Rodgers, 3 stars
SS Ronald Clarke, 3 stars
OLB Josh Talley, 3 stars
G Isiah Black, 3 stars
CB Rob Billings, 3 stars
FS JJ Gaither, 3 stars
FS David Jackson, 3 stars
DE Brad Crews, 3 stars
WR James Parquet, 3 stars
WR Emmanuel Holland, 3 stars
WR Clint Huges, 3 stars
DE Anthony Briggs, 2 stars
HB Willie West, 2 stars
HB Lance Brown, 2 stars
QB Chase Jones, 2 stars
QB Mike Carter, 2 stars
K Raymond Smith, 1 star