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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Opposing Viewpoint - Illinois
11/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Each week during the football season, GopherSports.com will bring you the opposing viewpoint by talking to a member of the media who covers Minnesota's opponent for that week. This week, we're joined by Bob Asmussen of the Champaign News-Gazette.
Asmsussen is the Illinois beat writer for the News-Gazette and also contributes to IlliniHQ.com.
GopherSports.com: What has led to the turnaround at Illinois this season? Can you put your finger on one thing?
The hiring of new offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. Besides what they are doing scheme-wise, they changed the attitude of the players. And after a 3-9 season that was desperately needed. They go about it in different ways but get to the same point. They both demand perfection though they know it isn't coming. It's that expectation that things will be better that has driven the team. Guys across the board have amped it up and I think the coordinators are a huge part of it.
GopherSports.com: Talk about some of the changes in scheme that have been effective for the Illini.
Bob Asmussen: There obviously have been some changes. The offense, for instance, is more conventional. They huddle. They use traditional run plays. You don't see players looking to the sidelines for signals. It looks it is working better and that's with a redshirt freshman quarterback. On defense, there is a new position, the Bandit, which is basically a linebacker/end hybrid. That's been the only significant change. Everybody is just doing a better job and I think the defense is being more aggressive than in previous seasons.
GopherSports.com: Who/what has the Illini's attention as it relates to Minnesota?
Bob Asmussen: Adam Weber. Vic Koenning said he's the best thrower the Illini will play all season and he's worried about him. As he pointed out, Denard Robinson just picked apart the Illinois secondary and he doesn't throw as well as Weber.
GopherSports.com: The Gophers and Illini have played a couple close games the last couple years. But Illinois is a big favorite in this game. Do you see a close one or not?
Bob Asmussen: I would like to see a close game. Those are much more fun to cover. But I think playing on Senior Day with a bowl bid against a team that is really struggling should mean a decent-sized win for Illinois. There are no guarantees and if Illinois starts putting the ball on the ground, it can lose.
GopherSports.com: We're hoping the Illini are still tired from last week's game. Have you ever seen anything like that?
Bob Asmussen: Never. Not even close. It was like a basketball game with both teams making every shot. I was thrilled to be on the field for the last five minutes of regulation and the endless overtimes. A real shame that somebody had to lose. The offenses might be tired, but the defenses were well rested. During the game.
GopherSports.com: What's the key to this game for either team to win it?
Bob Asmussen: For Illinois, it must continue to play a highly efficient offense. No fumbles. No interceptions. Move the chains. Nathan Scheelhaase seems to have turned the corner and is playing really well. He needs to keep that up.
For Minnesota, the Gophers have to get the Illinois offense off the field and take advantage of any Illinois mistakes. If the Illini fumble in their own end, then the Gophers have to punch it in for a score. The longer thegame stays close, obviously, the better Minnesota's chance to win. One thing that works in Minnesota's favor is there is quite a bit ofpressure on the Illini to get bowl eligible. The last two games, against Northwestern and Fresno State, are far from locks.
-By Andy Seeley, Associate Director of Athletic Communications
