Ok, CMU is by no means a good team, having gotten blown out by Florida International 52-16 the week before (6 turn overs).
And the Illini used a conservative offensive plan to open the game with a crisp touchdown drive (after stopping CMU). A couple of field goals made the game 13-6 at the half; the second one was 59 yards!
The opening drive of the second half pushed it to 20-6 and from then on, the defense kept CMU moving between the 20s. It ended 30-9.
What was concerning is that CMU ran for 142 yards; total yards were 379 for the Illini, 309 for CMU. But the Illini defense got one turn over (interception shown above) and forced 3 field goals; (CMU touchdown run was called back for holding).
The Illini did have some success running off tackle.
So, now they are ranked no. 24. The trouble is that all of their victories came against teams who have exactly 1 win vs an FCS team. The level of competition rises this Friday night.
Note to Self: it is about 0.8-0.9 to lot 47 and about 1 mile to the “usual” parking lot.
Workout notes: yesterday, pre-game, 4 miles in 59:10. I did the lower loop of Bradley Park. Today: 8.3: I did a serpentine type course just to get shade and miles. It was 84 F (50 percent humidity) when I finished. Forget the pace stuff: that is off. (Strava “correct” got it at 8.6, Garmin at 8.0, so I went with 8.3.
So, now it is time to taper for Quad Cities; long term forecast looks promising.
Life of an old goat 