***OFFICIAL MINNESOTA AT ILLINOIS IN-GAME THREAD!!!***

[Gopher Ally]

My beer tastes so good right now!

 

[MaxyJR1]

Defense gave up some plays and then defense closes it out. Gophers probably stole this one, clearly late hit from Koi but we'll take it.

Hetherman has some rope a dope to him.

 

[btowngopher]

I hate to say it but I think PJ's boneheaded fake punt actually threw the challenge to the offense and defense and they both rose to the occasion!

With the exception of that long IL touchdown run with 3 or 4 missed tackles, another outstanding game by the defense. Offense struggled through much of the game (Illinois DBs' style is still very physical) but they had enough in the tank to get it done.

I didn’t mind the fake punt. Seemed like maybe it was something they had Crawford read, I swear it looked like he almost took off on an earlier punt.

 

[Panthadad2]

Hey now! I'm outside Mn......

There might be two more of you out there.

 

[tikited]

My beer tastes so good right now!

My hangover isn't so bad now.

 

[BTChamp]

There might be two more of you out there.

I hope so. But I like being a loner.

 

[Ope3]

I didn’t mind the fake punt. Seemed like maybe it was something they had Crawford read, I swear it looked like he almost took off on an earlier punt.

On 4th & 12, the punter has to run over 20 yds, just not a good business decision, IMO.

In the end they won, so all good.

 

[Wally]

I didn’t mind the fake punt. Seemed like maybe it was something they had Crawford read, I swear it looked like he almost took off on an earlier punt.

Watching Crawford run, I think 12 yards was to far

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

I didn’t mind the fake punt. Seemed like maybe it was something they had Crawford read, I swear it looked like he almost took off on an earlier punt.

I kind of hated it but the team obviously played with a great sense of urgency after it so all's well that ends well!

 

[nitramnaed]

Nice game thread this time. The “Dinks” pretty much kept to themselves.

 

[Unregistered User]

I didn’t mind the fake punt. Seemed like maybe it was something they had Crawford read, I swear it looked like he almost took off on an earlier punt.

Was going to write the same thing…I think he had the option and it was close.

 

[Panthadad2]

On 4th & 12, the punter has to run over 20 yds, just not a good business decision, IMO.

In the end they won, so all good.

Crawford might run a 6.0 Forty. The play looked open but it all appeared to be in slow motion.

 

[Panthadad2]

I hope so. But I like being a loner.

Well, Gopher Ally's beer tastes really good. He'd probably join you.

 

[btowngopher]

On 4th & 12, the punter has to run over 20 yds, just not a good business decision, IMO.

In the end they won, so all good.

Eh true, I guess I liked the gutsiness of it and looked like it would’ve worked if not for one guy recognizing it, but the announcers were so bad im not sure how close he even got to the first down.

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Eh true, I guess I liked the gutsiness of it and looked like it would’ve worked if not for one guy recognizing it, but the announcers were so bad im not sure how close he even got to the first down.

He was two yards short. Got tripped up by the one aware Illini. Had a wall of blockers in front of him. Might have gone for another 10-15

 

[Panthadad2]

Kesich 4 for 4. Redemption.

 

[PMWinSTP]

Fake punt was a horrible decision.

Make them drive the whole field to take the lead instead of half the field.

Fleck got exactly what he deserved based on that decision.

You would have thought it was a brilliant bold move had he made the 1st down.

 

[scools12]

You would have thought it was a brilliant bold move had he made the 1st down.

Actually no.

It was a horrible call no matter what.

 

[PMWinSTP]

Actually no.

It was a horrible call no matter what.

OK Sparky

 

[stocker08]

Actually no.

It was a horrible call no matter what.

Disagree. They weren't prepared for it. One guy notices the defender coming from behind and it's a first down.

 

[scools12]

OK Sparky

Sparky?

That’s as weak as the it would have been a brilliant call take.

 

[scools12]

Disagree. They weren't prepared for it. One guy notices the defender coming from behind and it's a first down.

I have no issue with someone liking the decision but someone saying I would have thought it was a brilliant call if they made the 1st down is stupid.

4&12 up by 6 at that point of the game no need for that call and give Illinois a short field goal.

 

[MGGopher]

I almost guarantee the punt fake wasn’t called and Crawford took off on his own. Tons of teams with those Aussie punters given them the green light to run if it looks like they’ve got a chance. So if you wanna be pi$$ed, you should likely direct your angst at Crawford. I obviously can’t guarantee that, but knowing what I know of PJ, I’d be SHOCKED if he actually called a fake in that situation. It’s so out of character.

 

[Gopher Ally]

I almost guarantee the punt fake wasn’t called and Crawford took off on his own. Tons of teams with those Aussie punters given them the green light to run if it looks like they’ve got a chance. So if you wanna be pi$$ed, you should likely direct your angst at Crawford. I obviously can’t guarantee that, but knowing what I know of PJ, I’d be SHOCKED if he actually called a fake in that situation. It’s so out of character.

I didn’t mind the call, game over if convert

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

I almost guarantee the punt fake wasn’t called and Crawford took off on his own.

I read a bit of the presser and Fleck said it was Crawford's call.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

I almost guarantee the punt fake wasn’t called and Crawford took off on his own. Tons of teams with those Aussie punters given them the green light to run if it looks like they’ve got a chance. So if you wanna be pi$$ed, you should likely direct your angst at Crawford. I obviously can’t guarantee that, but knowing what I know of PJ, I’d be SHOCKED if he actually called a fake in that situation. It’s so out of character.

Fleck said that in the presser and he didn't seem too upset.

 

[MGGopher]

Fleck said that in the presser and he didn't seem too upset.

Well there ya go..case closed. He might’ve been slightly more irritated if they lost, lol. But TV showed him right afterwards actually and he seemed pretty calm. So maybe they talk about it a lot in practice and he actually agreed with the decision. Like others have said, it really was the hustle of one Illinois player (and lack of awareness by a couple MN blockers) that led to Crawford being stopped.

 

[Gopher Ally]

I almost guarantee the punt fake wasn’t called and Crawford took off on his own. Tons of teams with those Aussie punters given them the green light to run if it looks like they’ve got a chance. So if you wanna be pi$$ed, you should likely direct your angst at Crawford. I obviously can’t guarantee that, but knowing what I know of PJ, I’d be SHOCKED if he actually called a fake in that situation. It’s so out of character.

PJ said he gave the Greenlight, I didn’t mind the call, 17 made a great play

 

[btowngopher]

I read a bit of the presser and Fleck said it was Crawford's call.

That makes sense, I’m 90% sure on one of his earlier punts you can see take an extra second/step thinking about taking off before ultimately punting it.