Big 10 Football Tour

Illinois had a tough few games to start the season.  It was time for the Fighting Illini to make a statement that they were here to compete in the Big 10.  Unfortunately, after taking on a difficult Ohio State team the week prior, the Illini now had to face the also-top-25-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. 

In the video below, Blake provides us with a look around Memorial Stadium.

The game began and the Illini prooved that they could be competitive, holding teh #15 team in the nation scoreless in the 1st quarter.  Finally, in the 2nd quarter the Lions got on the board with a huge run of over 50 yards by Stephfon Green.  Now how many times have you seen that name spelled with a "fon?"  Illinois later answered with a field goal and went into halftime trailing only 7-3.

A special feature this week: the Jeff Harris contribution to the blog accompanied by Jeff Harris photography below: "So far best student section visual they did this then also made two beers full of beer then empty. I have pics but is hard to tell this was the best."  If you can comprehend this comment & straighten the photograhy, you win a free package of "Big League Chew."

There were several great fans in attendance at the game and we mingled with the best of them. 

Our new friend shown below somehow traded up and exchanged his Illini hat for a Schlitz Beer hat.  All he had to do was tell us where his friends were...or help Garth Brooks.  He both and now he looks much much better in his new hat!  Drew meanwhile, isn't looking too sharp in the photo below. 

Well then the 3rd quarter rolled around and the football game became a question of when to go back to the tailgate?   Penn State gained over 200 yards in the 3rd alone and suddenly were looking in the rearview mirror at the Illini and looking forward to next week's game.  By game's end, TWO Penn State players had over 100 yards rushing, Stephfon Green (120) and Evan Royster (105).

One notable moment of the game was when Juice Williams, the Illini Quarterback, became Illinois' all-time leader for total yards when he passed 9,126 (passing Kurt Kittner...who?).  Check out our Penn State/Illinois page for an ironic photo capturing the moment.  With a name like "Juice," it was bound to happen.