Fan Blog

That's all she wrote

Posted by: Kim Johnson

Sunday, November 23, 2008 2:25 PM

It's the end of the football season for the Illini.  So, like I try to do at the end of each year, I thought I would reflect on the good things that happened over the course of the year (or season).  However, I really wouldn't have much to write, so I moved to Plan B.

 

I polled my family, asking them for their final thoughts on the football season that never seemed to get going.  My husband said, "The Sugar Bowl year and the Rose Bowl year, the Illini won the close ones.  This year, the Illini barely won a few of the games they were supposed to win and lost some they should have won.  They didn't execute and made way too many mistakes."  My son (who is in 5^th grade) said, "I thought the Illini would win more.  Should have beat Minnesota.  I'm disappointed."  Guess what is not on his Christmas list this year:  an Illini football jersey. 

 

Then, I asked my 6-year old daughter what she thought of the Illini football season.  She said, "Season?" and then sang, "Tis the season to be jolly!"  I guess we know what's on her mind.  Too bad we can't all be like her when thinking about Illini football.

 

I don't know about you, but yesterday's game made me the most frustrated.  I could barely sit and watch it.  I got up more times during that game than all season.  There was a glimmer of hope every now and then, but it quickly faded.  Northwestern seemed to run faster, hit harder, and execute better.  It's the same old story:   the special teams play, the defense, the offense, the sack, sack, sack, sack, sack.  It was bad.

 

Whoever wrote that it may be a good thing that the Illini didn't slip into a bowl with a win yesterday was right on (was that you, Mr. Rossow?).  The Illini have lots of talent, but for whatever reason (or reasons-there is definitely more than one), they couldn't get their act together.  A little extra time to think about it will hopefully work. 

 

I looked back at my first blog to see what record I predicted for the Illini this season.  It was 8-4.  Boy, was I wrong.  But, I didn't count on losses against Minnesota or Western Michigan, and I thought there would be a win at Wisconsin.  Nope, not this year. 

 

Thank you to everyone who read this blog each week, and especially to those who commented.  I tried to write what the regular fan might be thinking.  There are a lot of Illini fans out there who are very loyal but who never get to go to the games.  You can still be a super fan without being in the stands.  It's not cheap to go to a game, and I wish every fan could experience it at least once.  But the price of a ticket, work schedules, family commitments, or just the busy schedules of most rules it out for a lot of people. 

 

I guess we'll move on to Illini basketball, where we have new hope for a much improved season.  Hopefully, we'll be saying the same thing about football in a few months. 

 

It should be interesting to see what kinds of changes are made in the off season.  It is a shame that with the talent that is on this team, there is no bowl this year.   Now the Illini will have time to focus on teamwork, the main thing that was lacking this season.  All hope is not lost.  A lot of talent is coming back next season.  I think this year's record got their attention.  Play as a team and good things can happen.

 

Enjoy the bowl season everyone!  Go Illini!

Comments