Redbirds at Illini 9/5/2020

[TIMMY]

I was more of a Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu guy

Hehehe. Wow.

We had a local realtor named Sandy Puhse.

She had alot of showings. Oh man shoot me. That's tur'ble.

yeah, but with first name like Sandy, some might have stayed away :eusa-snooty: .

Ouch

 

[Virginia Redbird]

Another thought about EIU, I know won't matter to many of you, but it's "history" - this is a long-standing rivalry, there have been many connections between the programs, coaches coming from one to the other, etc. back in the day. Times change, sure. The schools themselves may have grown in different directions to some degree, but there's something to be said for playing for the trophy, driving down the road to play them, etc.

I don't mind keeping up the rivalry, I could live with it being an every other year thing I guess, I sure would like to see us open up to some "inter-sectional" games, but I think there's value in keeping it going. Seems like having a 100+ year old rivalry is good for the program, the oldest rivalry in the state.

I like the EIU game for the tradition and history of it. But time moves on and things change. I posted a story about the last game between Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan a while back. My older brother was a Freshman for the IWU Titans for that game and I was in the crowd for the final game in the series. I was a sophomore in High School and it was my first time at Hancock Stadium and on the ISU campus. I wanted to be a Redbird from that time on. That game also had a great history and was a long-standing tradition but while IWU still has a solid Div III program, could you imagine how lopsided the game would be today if it was still being played? I like the ISU v EIU rivalry but if it advances the ISU program to drop it, I could live without it. Can't wait for kickoff in a few hours! Go Redbirds!

 

[Virginia Redbird]

In regards to the game with the Illini, I am thinking that game may mandate a road trip from southeast Virginia to Memorial Stadium. I have been to Memorial Stadium to watch the Illini on quite a few different occasions but that was a long time ago. It was before the Red Grange statue was placed at the stadium. I need to get a photo with the Red Grange statue and getting a chance to watch the Redbirds and the Illini on the field as well...seems like a perfect reason to travel back to the Land of Lincoln. Also a short drive to Normal for an Avanti's Meatball Sub. Road Trip!!!

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

Another thought about EIU, I know won't matter to many of you, but it's "history" - this is a long-standing rivalry, there have been many connections between the programs, coaches coming from one to the other, etc. back in the day. Times change, sure. The schools themselves may have grown in different directions to some degree, but there's something to be said for playing for the trophy, driving down the road to play them, etc.

I don't mind keeping up the rivalry, I could live with it being an every other year thing I guess, I sure would like to see us open up to some "inter-sectional" games, but I think there's value in keeping it going. Seems like having a 100+ year old rivalry is good for the program, the oldest rivalry in the state.

I like the EIU game for the tradition and history of it. But time moves on and things change. I posted a story about the last game between Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan a while back. My older brother was a Freshman for the IWU Titans for that game and I was in the crowd for the final game in the series. I was a sophomore in High School and it was my first time at Hancock Stadium and on the ISU campus. I wanted to be a Redbird from that time on. That game also had a great history and was a long-standing tradition but while IWU still has a solid Div III program, could you imagine how lopsided the game would be today if it was still being played? I like the ISU v EIU rivalry but if it advances the ISU program to drop it, I could live without it. Can't wait for kickoff in a few hours! Go Redbirds!

Two of the biggest/greatest rivalries in the history of football are gone...Nebraska vs Oklahoma, Texas vs Texas A&M. If those games can be eliminated for the sake of progress then dumping the EIU/ISU game if there is an opportunity to moves ISU football forward is an easy decision. ISU football longterm may be a winner if the state of Illinois does the right thing and closes/consolidates a couple of state universities....EIU is one university that is ripe for closure.

 

[fourthandshort]

Another thought about EIU, I know won't matter to many of you, but it's "history" - this is a long-standing rivalry, there have been many connections between the programs, coaches coming from one to the other, etc. back in the day. Times change, sure. The schools themselves may have grown in different directions to some degree, but there's something to be said for playing for the trophy, driving down the road to play them, etc.

I don't mind keeping up the rivalry, I could live with it being an every other year thing I guess, I sure would like to see us open up to some "inter-sectional" games, but I think there's value in keeping it going. Seems like having a 100+ year old rivalry is good for the program, the oldest rivalry in the state.

I like the EIU game for the tradition and history of it. But time moves on and things change. I posted a story about the last game between Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan a while back. My older brother was a Freshman for the IWU Titans for that game and I was in the crowd for the final game in the series. I was a sophomore in High School and it was my first time at Hancock Stadium and on the ISU campus. I wanted to be a Redbird from that time on. That game also had a great history and was a long-standing tradition but while IWU still has a solid Div III program, could you imagine how lopsided the game would be today if it was still being played? I like the ISU v EIU rivalry but if it advances the ISU program to drop it, I could live without it. Can't wait for kickoff in a few hours! Go Redbirds!

Two of the biggest/greatest rivalry's in the history of football are gone...Nebraska vs Oklahoma, Texas vs Texas A&M. If those games can be eliminated for the sake of progress then dumping the EIU/ISU game if there is an opportunity to moves ISU football forward is an easy decision. ISU football longterm may be a winner if the state of Illinois does the right thing and closes/consolidates a couple of state universities....EIU is one university that is ripe for closure.

100% agreed longer term .. and also agree we are doing way more for them than they are for us, by playing this game. But as long as we are FCS playing the MVFC, and especially any year we have an FBS, I like the EIU h&h game just fine.

 

[TIMMY]

They beat us 2 years ago.
As long as we're playing in the toughest league in FBS I'm keeping this game. If for no reason other than they are willing to play us. Or we can dump them and have 2 weeks that are difficult to schedule every year.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

In Brock Spack’s 9 seasons @ Illinois State his record is 5-4 against Eastern Illinois (one of those wins in overtime). Not seeing where this game is bad for Illinois State.
Personally, I enjoyed watching Tony Romo & Jimmy Garoppolo playing against the Redbirds (except for the drive over to Charleston Tony Romo’s Senior year)

 

[fourthandshort]

In Brock Spack’s 9 seasons @ Illinois State his record is 5-4 against Eastern Illinois (one of those wins in overtime). Not seeing where this game is bad for Illinois State.
Personally, I enjoyed watching Tony Romo & Jimmy Garoppolo playing against the Redbirds (except for the drive over to Charleston Tony Romo’s Senior year)

another good point ... the 5-4 aspect.

Interesting thing about Garapolo is that our QB Matt Brown outplayed him for 3 years from 2010-12. It wasn't until after Brown graduated and EIU hired HC Babers that Garapolo torched us in 2013 .. along with everyone else that record setting year. But head to head, our Matt Brown won bragging rights. for most part.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

In Brock Spack’s 9 seasons @ Illinois State his record is 5-4 against Eastern Illinois (one of those wins in overtime). Not seeing where this game is bad for Illinois State.
Personally, I enjoyed watching Tony Romo & Jimmy Garoppolo playing against the Redbirds (except for the drive over to Charleston Tony Romo’s Senior year)

another good point ... the 5-4 aspect.

Interesting thing about Garapolo is that our QB Matt Brown outplayed him for 3 years from 2010-12. It wasn't until after Brown graduated and EIU hired HC Babers that Garapolo torched us in 2013 .. along with everyone else that record setting year. But head to head, our Matt Brown won bragging rights. for most part.

I didn’t think the Redbirds played Eastern Tony Romo’s Junior year. And his senior year Romo & Eastern beat the birds up pretty bad (pretty sure I made the mistake and drove to Charleston for that game). Of course my memory has faded on me through the years, so I may be wrong.

 

[crazzymark]

This is a huge get for several reasons:

1.) It's a good payday for a quick trip down the road.
2.) It's good exposure to play a B10/P5 FBS team. You never know when the next Northwestern will happen.
3.) We have a chance to bring thousands of fans over from Bloomington/Normal, Peoria, Springfield, etc. and down from Chicago. If we have a pair of good seasons leading into 2020, it will create an even bigger interest in this game.

When everyone expects to win every game regardless the opposition, that is when the culture changes and you can't walk up and buy a ticket in a 30,000+ seat Hancock Stadium(Spack Stadium?)

 

[saxman210]

This is a huge get for several reasons:

1.) It's a good payday for a quick trip down the road.
2.) It's good exposure to play a B10/P5 FBS team. You never know when the next Northwestern will happen.
3.) We have a chance to bring thousands of fans over from Bloomington/Normal, Peoria, Springfield, etc. and down from Chicago. If we have a pair of good seasons leading into 2020, it will create an even bigger interest in this game.

When everyone expects to win every game regardless the opposition, that is when the culture changes and you can't walk up and buy a ticket in a 30,000+ seat Hancock Stadium(Spack Stadium?)

I don’t think the culture is where it needs to be but the culture HAS changed. Quick story: In fall of 2002, I visited my top two college choices, University of Iowa and Illinois State University. The “school spirit” at Iowa is what you’d expect. While I was making a purchase at Barnes and Noble in the bone, my family asked what the school spirit is like at ISU and the cashier said “well, there is none.”

I’d like to think that that has changed. Students pay more attention to Redbird athletics than they did 15 (ouch) years ago. So the culture HAS changed...but its still got a ways to go.

 

[bb fan]

Seems like a rather small sample size. Saxman. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to draw caricatures at two student events at ISU. It was very comforting to hear the enthusiam that these kids have for our U. It's also interesting, as I draw at a large shopping center in Peoria for a few hours each week. I keep a tally in my head regarding what school apparel I see. And Redbird gear is the dominant attire. Not UIUC. Not Bradley. It does seems a years ago it was not this way. Our brand may be as strong as it's ever been.

 

[Hamdonger]

Seems like a rather small sample size. Saxman. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to draw caricatures at two student events at ISU. It was very comforting to hear the enthusiam that these kids have for our U. It's also interesting, as I draw at a large shopping center in Peoria for a few hours each week. I keep a tally in my head regarding what school apparel I see. And Redbird gear is the dominant attire. Not UIUC. Not Bradley. It does seems a years ago it was not this way. Our brand may be as strong as it's ever been.

Boots on the ground. Good info to hear...

 

[MPE773]

According to our Athletic Director, St X was the only team he could find to play is in week 1. Can you imagine what he will bring to the table if we cut the EIU game too? Ugh....

 

[fourthandshort]

According to our Athletic Director, St X was the only team he could find to play is in week 1. Can you imagine what he will bring to the table if we cut the EIU game too? Ugh....

this !

and not just scheduling challenge aspect, but also the budget .. I assume this is our cheapest travel game and it usually draws pretty well at home.

100% of focus should be on getting the FBS payday games, and then a home patsy game. Put EIU h&h on auto pilot for time being.

 

[chuckie1980]

Was trying to determine construction scheduling around Memorial Stadium. Things might start moving again...with the new donation. Could not find any thing timely but wonder if 2020 is a construction year.

 

[Chi-bird]

Not sure who to give the credit to for scheduling the 3 games (Illini, Iowa, Wisconsin), but excellent job and THANK YOU! Along with Colorado State, Iowa (2015), Northwestern (2016), the non-con schedule has been really good and piques interest.

 

[ChiRedbird1]

I’m actually very excited to see how the Leathernecks do against the Illini next weekend. Looks like Illini will still have a weak secondary out there due to suspensions next weekend and with their top receiver out again (season ending knee injury vs Kent State) for a 3rd season in 4 years (Mikey Dudek), they might have a real chance at a huge upset. Kent State was picked to finish last in the MAC this season and had the second worst offense last year in FBS (Illini was the third worst I believe). The worse U of I is, the better ISU looks. I would normally never cheer for Western, but next week I will be rooting them on!

 

[bb fan]

You can thank the same folks who brought us the upcoming slate of B10 games that brought us the SXU game.

 

[wiu712]

I would normally never cheer for Western, but next week I will be rooting them on!

We welcome your support!

The Western vs UIUC game will be on The Big Ten Network at 6:30 PM on Saturday.