From The Stands - Minnesota 2022
As always, these come with a warning. I have a tendency to make people uncomfortable, and when I get choked up here, some of you might get uncomfortable. I I-L-L'd the northwest stair tower after the game, and when I got the I-N-I in return, it took me to a place I haven't been in a long time.
So if you prefer your Robert to be in fanalyst mode, analyzing what all of this means, well, wait for tonight's article. I have a wedding reception to attend in St. Louis in 2 hours and 45 minutes, so you'll probably have to wait until 3:30 am or so, but... you'll get that Robert then.
If you prefer your Robert wandering around the stands -- starting in the west balcony until the clock hit zero, then wandering around the northwest stairtower screaming "I-L-L" and crying, then running down to the Minnesota tunnel to find out if the squirrel that jumped off the balcony during the national anthem survived -- well, here's that Robert:
IlliniBoard RSS Feed
Thank you Robert. I'm unable to make it back so I am living vicariously through you right now. It warms my heart to hear that cheer again!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
woot ! Go Illini
ps durn, you seem to have a lot of weddings to attend
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Based upon the outstanding play I'm seeing on the field, the words "bowl eligibility" seem beneath us. We'll likely have the same 6-1 record as Alabama at the end of today, and I don't think that's a phrase they use.
Let's instead incorporate the words Indianapolis, Pasadena, Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl into our vocabulary!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
So we went 1-2 against WI, IA, MN last year, and thus 2-1 would have represented progress. Given that we hadn't beaten all 3 since 1983 (hey, only 39 years) I'm pretty sure that few of us were thinking that would happen. Kudos to the coaching staff and players for establishing a new reality.
I, for one, plan to enjoy it for as long as it lasts. I became an Illini fan during the early 80's and was on campus from '85 to '89, so while this level of success is not unprecedented in my Illini experience, I certainly would have savored it more had I realized how the next 3 decades were going to be. For those of you who are experiencing a successful Illini program for the first time, make sure that you spend at least as much time reveling in our success as you have wallowing in our past futility.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Beating all 3 of Iowa, Wisc and Minn is getting a lot more attention than it deserves. 1981-1984 were the only years that we played every other team in the Big 10. Hence, in many of those years subsequent, we haven't even played these three teams in the same season. (And of course, you can't beat someone not on your schedule.) Yeah, we've been bad, but there are better examples out there.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
In the 38 seasons from 1984-2021, we played all three 19 times. We lost all 3 in seven seasons, lost 2 of three in six seasons, lost 1 of three in five seasons, and in 1995, beat IA and MN, and tied WI 3-3. Of the six seasons during which we had winning records against those three in a season where we played all three during that span, five occurred before 1996. We played 2 of the 3 teams in 16 of the 38 seasons, going 1-1 six times, 0-2 six times, and 2-0 three times; we went 1-0-1 in 1988 beating WI and tying MN. We played 1 of the 3 teams in 3 season, going 1-0 once and 0-2 twice. During that time, in 92 total games, our winning percentage against those teams combined was .359 (after 1995 it was only .210) So notwithstanding the fact that we didn't play all three each season, in 34 of the 38 seasons in question, we wouldn't have possibly beaten all 3 in any event, since we didn't even beat the ones we did play during those seasons.
In my humble opinion, our inability to beat all 3 in a season in 19 opportunities over 38 years is a pretty good anecdotal illustration of just how bad we've been, and illustrative of why I don't think anyone expected us to beat all 3 this season. And it doesn't change my underlying view that we should savor the good seasons.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
I-L-L!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Love you Robert! Enjoy every second of this ride! We are all basking in the beauty of Illini football success!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
I remember those victorious tower descents, replete with the I-L-L chants. It is a gas to have them back! Oskee-wow-wow!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
I-N-I!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
This is real Illini football love.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Hey Robert that was me in the Orange Butkus Jersey at 4:36. I'm 48 years old I graduated high school in 1991 you won and handed the God I did not hear your 1st ILL chant because I was still out in thenvy atrium by the elevators I would imagine.
That was also me about 12 seconds later with the ILL scream.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Sorry for the quick send there but the answer to your earlier question is hell yes we remember those ILL chants and dammit if I would hane known you were up there crying I would have been crying too..
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
If you didn’t exist and do all this “Robert” stuff, I’d have to invent you.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
I was kind of hoping you'd break out into "My Way" again. Let's make it a thing!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Had one going in the Southeast tower as well. What a gas!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Awesome game today. It has been fun watching other big games today and hearing them even talking about how good Illinois looked. So happy for the players and coaches.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Had an I-L-L chant in the West Main Men’s room post-game. Been awhile since I even had to wait in line to pee after a game. GD, this is fun!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
Does the MI still do the trombone cheer in the towers? That was awesome.
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
I did the chant in the southwest tower on my way out.
Then we did it to everyone walking by and driving by the tailgate for about an hour after the game.
So awesome!
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes
555
Delete This Post?
Do you really want to delete this post?
Yes