TOUCHDOWN!!!

Best throw from Finn all night. Perfectly placed.

Not sure I’d go for 2 here.

Newton was wide open in the end zone and Finn almost missed him. Happy we scored but sheesh.

WTH was that? Newton was wide open at the left pylon and Finn didn't throw it. Ugh

(09-02-2023 08:03 PM)adunifon Wrote:  Not sure I’d go for 2 here.

Agreed.

I am impressed. The O line is handling a strong ILLINI defense front. Finn is, well Finn. The defense has held up well. We should be a force in the MAC.

First half takeaways:

Feel like rockets controlled both LOS
Penalties are a major factor
Toledo seemed to be more physical
Finn gives you so much with his legs, but passing has to improve if team is going to go anywhere
New kicker made two kicks he should make
Aside from the two delay of game penalties, felt like offense was snapping ball fairly quickly.

(09-02-2023 08:05 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  

(09-02-2023 08:03 PM)adunifon Wrote:  Not sure I’d go for 2 here.

Agreed.

Yep, take the point.

Rockets were the better team all around, and it could have been 28-7 instead of 12-7. But there's a long way to go.

OLine played great. DLine played great against the run, but they are gonna need to get some pressure in the 2nd half, as Illinois may abandon the run. Really tough half for Finn. He's gotta get settled in the 2nd half.

The good:

O line play. They’ve stood up very well against Illinois’ strength so far.
Special teams play. 2-2 on FGs, decent kickoffs, and a really nice punt from the true freshman.
Finn’s legs—we wouldn’t have 9 of those points without his quickness & ability to extend drives.
And Penny Boone looks like a different RB out there.
Did I mention O line play?

Concerns:
The passing game—really struggling, and not because the pocket isn’t there like past seasons.
D line—yes, we lost some great talent there, but things need to improve here for MAC play.

Lots of penalties on the Illinois offense has certainly helped, but the D did take advantage of those, so that counts for something.

I think having Long back , along with the two P5 transfers, has really helped the OL. Hope they keep it up. I'd be for pulling Finn if he can't complete passes after the first 2nd half series.

I'll admit I wanted them to play it conservative on that last drive to make sure Illinois didn't get the ball back. I'm glad I was wrong, but that drive owed a lot to penalties.

As has been noted, the call to go for 2 was questionable. The first half is too early to chase points, but if it worked I would have jumping up and down praising the genius of Candle.

(09-02-2023 08:19 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  I think having Long back , along with the two P5 transfers, has really helped the OL. Hope they keep it up. I'd be for pulling Finn if he can't complete passes after the first 2nd half series.

I’d like to see Gleason get a series now just to throw Illinois off a bit.

Personally I’m pretty stoked… first game so can expect stupid mistakes all around… u that 3 and 22 or whatever was pretty bad… we looked good and it’s 324 and I’m on da beach!! After the game if we win I’m heading out to collect shells! Super stoked!! Go rockets

(09-02-2023 08:21 PM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  I’d like to see Gleason get a series now just to throw Illinois off a bit.

Yeah, good point completing passes would certainly throw UI off!

I'm good sticking with Finn.

That was a really, really nice drive!

Boone looks like he's lost some considerable weight!

First drive of the second half was well executed with zero negative yards and NO flags!