#41 Illinois

Champaign, IL

Memorial Stadium September 21, 2019 Nebraska 42 – Illinois 38 (ESPN Recap)

I ran into my first transportation issues on this journey today. I knew I had an 11am CST kickoff for NW/MSU and that this game was at 7pm CST, which I thought would give me roughly two hours to tailgate in Champaign (assuming the first game ended at ~3). Unfortunately, the distance between Evanston and Champaign is not a widely acceptable Lyft distance, and after 10-15 minute waits to get my rideshare, the first driver drove me about a mile and then cancelled saying he was unwilling to take me down there. The second driver did not leave the side of the road citing "no way I am driving to Champaign tonight! You'll have to find someone else to take you." I should have rented a car, and was going to quit and head to Bottled Blondes if the third driver bailed on me, however Kosta came through and made the drive. Traffic was worse than I budgeted, I took a nap and Kosta took some route liberties, and before I knew it, I was arriving in Champaign right around kickoff. Kosta asked me on the drive, “I must ask. You referenced you left a game and are now going to another game. Are these games you play in? Or are these games you coach in?” Kosta lives in Evanston so he is cute too.

It’s a shame because the tailgate scene for the night game was actually lit. Music was blaring, corn hole everywhere, kegs, tons of empties…it was clear the fans made a full day of it. I rate the concourse as I was walking in as the drunkest concourse I have ever been to. People were stumbling all over the place, the game was just about to start, and I was nervous for them since they also sell alcohol inside the stadium.

In contrast to Ryan Field, Illinois felt like the Big House: modern stadium, huge and impressive band, a lively student section, no empty seats, and competing chants between "I-L-L-I-N-I" and "Go-Big-Red!" It was a great atmosphere for a game that was the opposite of the defensive battle in Evanston. No one played any defense. 35 points in the first half, 80 in the game, and it should have been more. It’s amazing Illinois was in the game (and leading for most of the game) considering the yardage discrepancy (675 Neb - 299 Ill). Nebraska lost four fumbles, all seemingly inside their own 30 that led to quick scores for Illinois. The one Illinois turnover was a deep pass picked off that was basically a punt. I call that -4 in turnovers which is how a 12-pt fav on the road only wins by 4 (missing an XP early and hitting the post on a 25 yard FG late to keep it to 4).

(Last play of the game, 4th and 10 from Illinois' own 20)

My neighbor for the game played basketball at Illinois decades ago. He asked why I was wearing purple and I told him I was at the NW/Mich St game earlier. He asked why and I said “I am trying to see football games at all 130 FBS stadiums.” To which he paralyzed me with no reaction to my goal and instead hits me with the snap response of “why don’t you do it for the NFL instead?” ... DAMN

My day sort of tracked the progression of offensive football history: 1950s in Evanston, 2000s in Champaign, and then following the UCLA/Wash St on my phone was 2019 CFB (see also LSU and Ohio St offense today).

Enjoyable in-game fun. A tailgate that looked like it could have been a great experience. Lots of bad defense and YAC. Loved every second of it. Cannot really opine on the city or campus or town. In and out on this one.

Lesson: Champaign is not ride share distance from Evanston.

This was my favorite play of the game by far. Whatever Illinois called and tried to run did not work...and looked really bad in the process.

I saw this online years later and had to add it. Did not take the photo.