Illini Quarterback Club

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In This Issue
Corporate Partners
Partner of the Week
Lunch Menu
Tailgate Menu
Big Ten Honors
Order Apparel
Thoughts from the Sidelines
Who's Speaking this Week?
Player Awards

  

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

 

 

 

 

 

Hilton Garden Inn

 

Homewood Suites

 

Star Talent Events

 

 

BLUE PARTNERS

 

 

 

 Gibson Area Hospital

 

Bray, Drake, Liles &
Richardson
 
 
WHITE PARTNERS
 

 

 
Illini QBC Partner of the Week
Outback Steakhouse is an Australian themed steakhouse restaurant. Although beef and steak items make up a good portion of the menu, the concept offers a variety of chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta dishes. The Company's strategy is to differentiate its restaurants by emphasizing consistently high-quality food and service, generous portions at moderate prices and a casual atmosphere suggestive of the Australian Outback.

  

This Weeks's QBC

Luncheon Menu

 

 

Round Barn Banquet
Center
Friday, October 14
 
 
Baked Chix w/Mushroom
Honey Glazed Ham
Rice Pilaf
Corn O'Brian
Frosted Brownies
Iced Tea
 

 

This Week's QBC Tailgate Menu

 

Illini Quarterback Club logo

Saturday, October 15
BBQ Pork Sandwich
Italian Beek
Coleslaw
Corn on the Cob
Cookies
Coffee and Iced Tea
Soft Drinks
Beer
 

 

Stripe the Stadium for OSU Game

 

Fans in north end zone and in odd sections asked to wear orange. Even sections will wear blue.

  University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics officials are looking to "Stripe the Stadium" orange and blue for the October 15 game against Ohio State at Memorial Stadium. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear either orange or blue clothing depending on the section where their seats are located. Fans seated in the odd-numbered sections and the entire north end zone are asked to wear orange, while fans in the even-numbered sections should wear blue.

 

  

Have You Ordered Your Illini QBC Gameday Apparel?

 

 

 
  
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.

 

Coaches Radio Show

Illini Quarterback Club logo
REMEMBER RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED BY MONDAY FORTHE THURSDAY NIGHT RADIO SHOW.
 
BOWL ELIGIBLE! 

Illini #16 in AP Poll 3 Point Favor Over OSU

 

Greetings!
 

14:48 left in first quarter, Indiana 7, Illinois 0. So, what the heck is going on. What's going on is when you play in the Big Ten, you better be ready. Every game, Every play! Every second! Shocked? You bet! I spilled my drink and dropped my bowl of chips, salsa included. I guess that's what happens when you're not ready to watch the game. I was walking across the family room, heading for my favorite recliner, taking a different route to avoid the new grand daughter who was positioned on the floor, right in front of the TV. The lane was occupied so I took a different route. I sure learned from that mistake. Next time, I'll fill the lane, right in front of the TV. 
 
In hind sight, I think sometimes I'm just not ready. Sometimes I'm not focused. So, I learned something. I cleaned up my mess, had a couple more sodas, ate two bowls of chips, added a sandwich and by halftime all was good and, so were the Illini. Okay, maybe giving up an opening TD run back is a big deal. Maybe not. What is a big deal is what we did about it. We regrouped. We remembered who we are and where we are going. That is good coaching and good teamwork. Not to worry, something feels right about this team. Go Illini! 
 
But, lest we enjoy 6-0 too much, what about that 2 point conversion thing. It seems like everyone has been in a tizzy over going for 2. I heard it on the radio call in shows, I read it in the local paper, saw it addressed in several blogs, I have had multiple emails from old friends around the country who suddenly know everything we do and this writer still doesn't know what the big deal is. In year's past we didn't dare do anything unless it was written in stone. Some of us called that boring. Some even lost interest. I for one never questioned the call. I was enjoying that journey called 6-0, way to much. So, let's step back for a minute. Enjoy the moment.
 
Saturday we face Ohio State. The energy will be high and the play on the field will surely be worth the price of admissions. Media reports have us moving towards a sell out crowd. I can't wait. I have started each home game this year at the WDWS/Illini Quarterback Club Tailgate Tent. It sure has made my Saturday mornings less hectic. I love the Illini Spirit at the Tailgate and what excitement to spend a little time with members of the Marching Illini prior to heading to the stadium. Consider stopping by this week and please extend an invitation to everyone you know to attend the QBC Tailgate, if they are looking for a great meal and a couple of drinks before the game. Admission is open too everyone and tickets can be purchased at the gate.
 
Here's a closing thought. How many of us are aware that we are 10-3 in our last 13 games? And, those three loses were to Michigan by 2, Minnesota by 4 and Fresno State by 2. That's right, 8 points shy of being 13-0 over that period. Know wonder I'm getting all of these emails!  

 

     Thoughts from the Sidelines

 

The Illini won another game and, I guess we all expected them to win. That does not diminish the accomplishment of doing so. I never worried about the end result because this team has shown itself to be very resilient with the ability to continue to "grind".  Being 6 and 0 sounds and feels really good.   

 

I took the Illini Quarterback Club bus to the game. I must say it sure is a relaxing way to travel. One price includes transportation, tickets and all meals. And

Our group arrived early and waited for the entry of the Fighting Illini.

talk about great fans! 

Returning from Bloomington, we had the opportunity to listen to the call-in show (Indiana style) and it was very depressing for the Hoosiers.  I guess they must have forgotten they have a new coach this year.  We also listened to the Indiana call of the game and were very pleased with what we heard.  Both the play-by-play guy and the color commentator continuously raved about the Illini running backs.  Their ability to keep their feet moving after being hit was very impressive. Do we take that for granted  

because we see it every week?  The Indiana broadcasters certainly were impressed with that aspect of the Illini team and how many yards our backs gained after being hit.
 

 
Thoughts on the Road ....

 

Did anyone here miss Jonathon Brown?  We are wondering why A.J. simply quit playing in the second half.  I think the coach speak for that type of effort is called "losing focus".  It certainly looked to us like he just didn't play hard.  I was extremely upset with the effort of the Illini during the fourth quarter Indiana drive for a touchdown.  I guess at that point they felt they had already "won" the game.  At least it appeared as such to this writer.  We have to play hard for 60 minutes.  As Coach Zook says, "The only score that counts is when the clock reads 00:00".  Up until the fourth quarter Indiana drive the defense had only permitted 6 points and those points came while we were defending a very short field.  Do you realize Coach Vic has the Fighting Illini defense permitting only 2 yards per rush for the season?  WOW! 

How do you feel about the Ohio State game?  Have we ever had a more exciting opportunity to play well and win a big time game on national television?  I believe the most recent time that occurred was in 2007 against, guess who???.  Is the "stripe the stadium" idea a distraction or promotion to you?

 

Have a great week and we will see you Saturday in the stadium. 

 

Go Illini! 

 

 

 
 
Coach Zook Returns to QBC Luncheon 

 

Coach Zook will be the featured speaker this week, at the Quarterback Club. Each week QBC members get a chance to hear the coach give his insight on where we are and how we are preparing for our next oponent. Consider the facts below when you are inviting friends to join you as a QBC member. 

  

* Illinois' non-conference FBS foes have a combined record of 13-2 outside of their losses to the Illini.
* Illinois has 1,357 rushing yards while holding opponents to only 478 rushing yards.

* Illinois is averaging 4.7 yards per rush while holding opponents to only 2.3 yards per rush.
* Illinois ranks seventh in the nation in third-down efficiency, converting 47-of-86 (.547) third downs in 2011.
* A.J. Jenkins  has 61 percent of Illinois' receiving yards, the most in the nation by a wide margin. Nevada's Rishard Matthews is second at 49.9.
* Jenkins is tied for the national lead with four plays of 50+ yards.
* Troy Pollard is averaging 9.8 yards per carry, third-most in the nation for anyone with at least 30 carries.
* Whitney Mercilus and Michael Buchanan rank 1-2 in Big Ten in sacks.
* Illinois has outscored its opponents 66-20 in the first quarter and 51-14 in the third quarter.
* The Illini defense has held four of six opponents under 100 yards rushing.
* Six different Illini have won Big Ten weekly awards in the first six weeks.
 
Joining Coach Zook this week is former Illini Dana Howard. Talk about a true supporter, Dana will be driving over from St. Louis on Friday, just to speak to the Quarterback Club. After spending time with QBC members, he will return to St. Louis Friday afternoon.  
 
In high school, Howard played for the East St. Louis Flyers, where he was coached by Bob Shannon. At the University of Illinois, Howard won the 1994 Dick Butkus Award, presented annually to the best linebacker in college football. Howard's teammates at Illinois included fellow standout linebackers John Holecek, Kevin Hardy, and Simeon Rice. Howard's career spanned the 1991 through 1994 college football seasons. Howard was a consensus all-American in 1993 and 1994, and is the all-time leading tackler in Fighting Illini history, with 595.... Howard was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft . Howard signed with the St. Louis Rams and played in 16 games in the 1995 NFL season. In 1996, Howard played in three games with the Chicago Bears. Howard also played with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in 1999.
 
 
Special Recognition

Player Awards for 
Indiana 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.

   

 

 

                      Indiana University

                         October 1, 2011

 

 

Offensive Player of the Game: Hugh Thorton #72

Defensive Player of the Game: Whitney Mercilus #85

Spec Team Player of Game: Zak Pedersen #46

Scout Team Player of the Week: Austin Teitsma #44

Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week: Chase Haslett #10

 

The Board of Directors of the Illini Quarterback Club would like to extend our thoughts and condolences to the family of former Board President Stan Morgan who recently passed away. Your contributions to this community and our organization will long be remembered.  

 

Go Illini!

 Illini Quarterback Club logo

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

Illini Quarterback Club