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Illinois fell to North Carolina 48-23 in front of a sold out crowd at Memorial Stadium Saturday night.
Columnist John Supinie writes that while the fans are enthused about the Lovie Smith era, the Illini football program still has a rebuild ahead of it.
CHAMPAIGN – The tailgates were popping early afternoon around Memorial Stadium, covering the grounds with orange and quickly announcing the official arrival of the Lovie Era moreso than last week’s blowout win against an FCS program.
Grange Grove reached capacity with pre-game revelry, the pop up gazebo tents post to post for much of the territory. It was crazy in the Grange Grove beer tent in the shadows of the Galloping Ghost’s statue.
If nothing else, Illinois football was a party in the first real game under Lovie Smith, the former Chicago Bears coach whose arrival brought with it the gift of hope.
Illini fans were buying it, filling the stadium in the first sellout since a game against Michigan in 2011. The 48-23 loss to North Carolina Saturday was less important than the thought that Illinois football was fun again. A crowd of 60,670 showed up and had a good time, no matter the final outcome.
Oskee Wow Wow.
The fact that Illinois didn’t live up to the festivities just reminded everyone this program hasn’t yet been turned into chicken salad.
“I thought we were ready for prime time,’’ Lovie said. “We’re not quite there yet. It’s a missed opportunity for this football team. But I think our fans see where we are. I thought we were ready to take the next step. We’re not there yet. We’ll get there.’’
The Illini filled the stadium in a non-conference game for the first time since hosting Arizona State in 1987, but the Illini couldn’t take advantage of the eye-opening crowd.
It’s the best big-game feel since former coach Ron Zook had the Illini competitive six, seven, eight or nine years ago. You probably have your own last big-game memory. It’s been a lot longer ago than you want to admit.
The fans were the big show.
“I thought the fans were outstanding,’’ Lovie said. “There are four phases – offense, defense, special teams and, of course, the fans. They did their job. This is good for us to see what it eventually will be once we’re playing top notch ball.
“This is a university that can draw people like that and have that type of atmosphere. We have a lot of recruits here watching it. They saw a team that’s building and wasn’t quite there tonight. Hopefully, we will get there this season.’’
Illinois grabbed an early lead on a 65-yard touchdown by Ke’Shawn Vaughn three plays into the game, then stayed within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter. A 7-yard touchdown pass from Wes Lunt to Malik Turner pulled Illinois to within 31-23 just seconds in the fourth quarter.
The Tar Heels finished it off by answering with a touchdown, but that’s not the point.
“I think we showed we can play with energy and passion,’’ Lunt said. “We have to do a better job of finishing the game. We can’t give up and let things go from bad to worse.’’
That was the kind of night it was for Lunt, who fumbled three times and lost one of them deep in Illini territory to set up North Carolina’s short scoring drive and a 17-14 lead. Illinois never led again.
Lunt just dropped the ball when the play blew up.
“It was a run-pass option,’’ Lunt said. “(Wide receiver Malik Turner) was supposed to have a bubble. I was going to throw to him. He didn’t run it. I just panicked. It just slipped out of my hand.’’
Admittedly, Lunt must play better if the Illini win a game like this. Everyone was reminded that this will take some time to rebuild.
Lovie’s talked about showing off his team last week, then giving recruits something to think about. His Illini did it by challenging an ACC powerhouse coached by Larry Fedora, a coach the Illini wanted to woo before ending up with Tim Beckman.
While Fedora was building one of the best teams in the ACC, the Illini slid under Beckman. For Smith’s Illini to fill Memorial Stadium in just his second game was truly remarkable.
The student section in the north end zone was full, and they didn’t give the ticket away this time (unlike the season opener). Students bought about 500 tickets Friday night. It was Band Day, and that did fill some seats. A family four-pack also helped sell tickets this week, when more than 5,000 were sold.
The fans love Lovie just like the players do.
“He’s a pretty well-known guy,’’ said Illini safety Taylor Barton. “It’s definitely a different vibe around here. It helps us and makes it better for us. It makes it a more enjoyable experience and having a more exciting program right now.’’
The Illini gain confidence from Lovie because of his “demeanor, who he is and how he carries himself and how he talks to us as men,’’ Lunt said. “We like to have high expectations for ourselves, and we have to continue to get better.’’
With this atmosphere and a coach with name recognition, you’d think the Illini would build something here. That’s the hope we’re talking about.
While the Big Ten West is littered with teams that allow the Illini a chance to build momentum, Lovie still has to work to reach bowl season in the first season with a nine-game Big Ten slate in decades.
Sure, North Carolina reminded everyone the Illini are still short on talent. The Tar Heels were bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled. But Lovie’s reputation on the sideline has fans believing again. That’s a good thing.
The night wasn’t without issue, other than the final score. With such a big crowd comes responsibility. Reports from the East Main grandstand at halftime confirmed concessions running out. No nachos, pretzels and French fries. Like the stadium, they were sold out.
Like the Illini, it’s still a work in progress, but you get the picture. These Illini fans came to town hungry for Illini football as well as cholesterol intake.
Remember Zook’s slogan – BEL-I-EVE. While the Zooker was generally a hard sell, Lovie has no such issues. The marketing department has it easy.
“We’ve played better,’’ Lovie said. “We’ve practiced better than we played tonight. I’d like to say it’s all on us, what we didn’t do. You have to give North Carolina credit. We’ll learn from it.’’
This wasn’t a game a game Lovie and the Illini had to win. Staying close was more important. Remember, these Tar Heels played in the ACC championship game last season, made a game of it with Clemson and returned with a program many expect to win their division and return to the ACC’s big game.
If the Tar Heels were in the Big Ten West, they would be a contender, if not the favorite. Honestly, next week is the game against visiting Western Michigan in the final non-conference game against one of the best in the Mid-American Conference is a must win.
Neverthless, for one night, Illini fans showed up and they “BEL-I-EVE’’ in Lovie.
John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.
