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Thoughts from the Sidelines
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Illini fans, how about the tenacity and great effort of our Illini. We were all upset when Jason Ford fumbled the ball but maybe it turned out best for the Illini. How much time would Northwestern have if we drove down and scored? Could they score in the time remaining? The important thing is that we don't have to worry about that because the Illini continued to be the "Fighting Illini".
Okay, so Riley O'Toole didn't get into the game. As a former coach I realize some of the thought process which is followed in this type of situation. When would you have put O'Toole into the game? My gut feeling was that the "right time" never presented itself to Coach Zook. Speaking of coaching. What decision did you make, as an Illini fan, concerning when to go for the two point conversion? As fans we can make any decision we want because it does not matter if we are wrong. However, it does matter that the coach is always "correct". The "next play" is always going to happen no matter the result of the most recent play. The officials don't stop the game to permit a coach to make a decision.
What did you think of Coach Zook's decision to suspend Jonathon Brown for his actions? That is not an easy decision for any coach because they are so close to the players and want to see them succeed. As Coach Zook stated, ". . . it's not easy but we need to remember why we are here".
Look for the Illini to come out really ready on Saturday at Indiana. This team is special and will return to Memorial Stadium on October 15 with a record of 6 wins and 0 losses. Have a great week and Go Illini!
What action, if any, do you want your members to take? Add a "Find out more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website
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Illini QBC
Corporate Partners | |
The Illini Quarterback Club would like to thank our Corporate Partners for their continued support. If you or your business would like information on how to become a corporate partner please contact Michael Byrd at mrb228@aol.com.
ORANGE PARTNERS
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Hilton Garden Inn
Homewood Suites
Star Talent Events
BLUE PARTNERS
Bray, Drake, Liles &
Richardson
WHITE PARTNERS
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Join the Illini Quarterback Club for the Coaches Radio Show in the Colonnades Club
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Thursday October 6
Dinner reservations were required to be in by noon on Monday. But, still plan to attend the Coaches Radio Show and cash bar. Bring a friend or if you can not attend, tell someone you know to stop by and meet a few club members.
There is no cost to attend, if not eating, and admission is open to the general public.
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Have You Ordered Your Illini QBC Gameday Apparel?
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Gameday was opened as a sporting goods store in Campustown in 1986, and is the Gameday Spirit is the only Official Fan Store of the Fighting Illini. We now operate as the premier Illini Spirit Shop on campus. Gameday is locally owned and operated by 3 Illinois alumni and fans, and are proud of our orange and blue heritage. Our focus is Illinois athletics. Our mission is to provide every Illini fan and alumni with the best value and selection of Illinois merchandise available.
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The Illini Quarterback Club Supports Illini Rebounders |  | |
The Illini Rebounders are proud to support Bruce Weber and the University of Illinois Men's Basketball team. With a tremendous coaching staff and a talented pool of new and returning players, the Illini look to keep the momentum strong and continue their success both on and off the court.
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1 Minute, 15 Seconds
A Lot of Questions Were Asked and Answered in That Short Period of Time
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Greetings!
Do we dare to ask that question we all want an answer to? What question? You know ... that question! The question that every time you ask it, something bad happens. Okay, here goes. Just how good is this Fighting Illini football team? Well, we are 5-0. We are ranked as high as 16 in national polls. We are a conference leader in sacks, our defensive unit just doesn't know how to quit, Nathan Scheelhaase is completing 70% of his passes and his best days are still ahead of him. Our running backs are explosive, our receivers seem to run the field at will and our coaching staff is the best we have seen in years. So, just how good is this Fighting Illini football team? Good enough to be 6-0? You bet! Good enough to be 7-0? You bet! But, one game at a time. We still play in the Big Ten and there is no such thing as an easy win. Ask Nebraska. The Illini Quarterback Club is in support of everything we see on the field. We invite the entire community to join us in the experience known as the Illini Nation. Win or loose, we will always be Loyal to You Illinois, but it sure is more fun when we are winning.
If you haven't quite had your fill of Illinois videos, check out the following link. It is the closest thing we have found to that electric scoreboard at the south end of Memorial Stadium. The energy during the game is a direct result of the great job being done on that jumbo tron! And, yes sir, Mr. Butkus. If you say make some noise, that is exactly what I'm going to do! Go Illini!
Don't forget about this weeks Coaches Radio Show in the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium. Dinner reservations needed to be in by Monday at noon, but you can still plan on attending. The evening will start at 5:00 p.m. and will conclude at 9:00 p.m. There will be a cash bar, plenty of Illinois football conversations and the best darn view of Memorial Stadium you have ever seen. So tell everyone you know to head over to the Colonnades Club on Thursday night. There is no cost to attend, just bring plenty of money for the raffle!
Have you given any thought to sitting on our Quarterback Club Board? Applications will be available within a couple of weeks and will be on all of the tables during our Friday lunches and Thursday dinners. The success of our organization depends on support from our membership. There are many fun events and activities to help organize; the Golf Outing(s), Team Meet and Greets, Fan Appreciation Day, Ladies Day, the Membership Committee, the Sponsor Committee,and much more. Oh yeah, Web Site and eNewsletter! For information, contact Jim Vasica at obs1452@outback.com.
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Quarterback Club Follows Coach Zook to the Colonnades Club for Weekly Radio Show
We hear it has been 60 years since we were 5-0. Thank you for everything you have done for the Illini Nation. If these are unchartered waters for you and the team, what do you think us crazy fans are going through. We have no playbook for 5-0. We've run out of probing questions. You know, the tough ones .... are there any injuries? What are the conditions where you would put Reilly O'Toole in the game? How many minutes will he play if we are up by three touchdowns at the end of the first half? Will being 5-0 help with recruiting?
Friends from all over the country are calling and wanting the inside scoop on what's happening in Champaign. Oh yeah, and they want tickets. Can't help with the ticket thing, that's what Stub Hub is for. But, I asked family members to send me there questions and I would try to get answers.
- What does the Coach eat for breakfast on game day? Does it change from week to week?
- What color is the opposing teams locker room?
- Does the Coach ever worry about someone dumping Gatorade on him at the end of the game?
- Is it easier to be on the sidelines now that headphones are wireless?
- Who decides on uniform colors for each game?
This winning thing is full of pressure. And, now we hear we have to wear Blue if we sit in the even sections. Or is it if we sit in the odd sections. I never even paid that much attention to what section I sit in, it's in the horseshoe, we just sort of sit where ever!
Good thing this week is the radio show. Maybe we will save these questions until we are 6-0.
Coach Zook Offers Insight On Indiana's Offensive and Defensive Schemes
Comments from this Weeks Press Conference
"Well, Indiana's offensive scheme is a high tempo (offense). I mean, they're not going to let you rest; they're going to screen you to death. They do a lot of things that are going to cause you some issues. They're going to try to out-number you. If you look at the Penn State game, you know, they got 22 personnel and just, you know, pounded it on them a little bit and ran the ball pretty well. But they're going to try to out-number you, whether it be - if you start to spread yourself out, then they're going to count the numbers and run the football. And if you get
boxed in there too much, then they're going to throw the screens and they run every kind of screen that they make. And as I said, tempo, so there ain't a lot of time to think about what's going on. You're going to be going fast. Defensively, they don't pressure a lot, but (they play) a lot of man coverage. That's how they get their extra people in the box, you know, is playing bump - man, a lot of press man and they play some press quarters as well. But, you know, they're going to load the box and put a lot of pressure on their corners and we're going to have to be able to protect; we're going to have to be able to block."
One last thing. If you missed Barry Houser last week, well you really missed a good one. Remember, these are unchartered waters. You don't want to miss a single exciting moment. See everyone Thursday night.
Go Illini!
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Special Recognition
Player Awards for Northwestern University Game
Each year, the Quarterback Club presents awards in five (5) categories based on the previous week's performance. These players are presented with a plaque as a sign of support from the Illini Quarterback Club and it's members.
Northwestern University
October 1, 2011
Offensive Player of the Game: AJ Jenkins #8
Defensive Player of the Game: Ian Thomas #38
Spec Team Player of Game: Derek Dimke #13
Scout Team Player of the Week: Jeremy Whitlow #18
Scout Team Def Player of the Week: Kenny Nelson #58
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Jenkins Wins Big Ten and National Honors
University of Illinois senior wide receiver A.J. Jenkins has earned a pair of weekly honors following his record-breaking performance in Illinois' 38-35 comeback win over Northwestern on Saturday.
Jenkins was named co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and co-National Wide Receiver of the Week after helping the Fighting Illini remain undefeated. Jenkins vercome a 28-10 second half deficit by hauling in a career -high 12 catches for a school record 268 yards and a school record-tying three touchdowns. The 268 yards rank as the third-most receiving yards in a Big Ten game and the fourth-best mark in all games in Big Ten history. It also shatters the previous UI single-game receiving yardage record of 208, which was set in 1984 by two-time All-American and College Football Hall of Famer David Williams.
Jenkins also had 60 kick return yards, giving him 328 all-purpose yards on the day, which is the third-highest single-game total in school history behind only Red Grange's UI-record 402 yards against Michigan in 1924 and Mikel Leshoure's 341 yards against Northwestern last season.
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Illini QBC Partner of the Week
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Thursday night the Illini Quarterback Club will meet in the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium. There is no charge to attend, unless you are having dinner. Reservations were required by Monday at noon. There is a cash bar and the Coach arrives for his radio show at 7:00 p.m. It is a great time to invite a friend or two to experience the energy.
Welcome your friends and family to join the Illini Quarterback Club. What a great time to be an Illini! Go Illini!
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
Illini Quarterback Club |
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