Perspective isn’t everything in life, but sometimes it helps.
To quote game-show host Regis Philbin: “Who wants to be a millionaire?”
Most people, judging by the ratings. For Bill Gates on the other hand, a million dollars must feel like pocket change.
Illinois’ crushing 46-20 defeat of Ohio State wasn’t as surprising as it seemed. The Illini (6-4, 3-4) played with passion and emotion Saturday. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, appeared incapable of mustering either. The first boos were heard near the end of the first quarter when Ohio State, trailing 6-0, ran the ball three times in a row and punted on fourth down. The jeers grew louder as the afternoon wore on.
“They have a couple of bad games in one year and the fans are selling them out already,” Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner said. “I don’t think it’s right.”
Freed from such lofty expectations, the Illini played confidently and aggressively. Illinois had been outscored by the Buckeyes 171-9 in their last four meetings and was a 10 1/2-point underdog in Columbus. Both teams went into the game knowing they needed a victory to become bowl-eligible. But Illinois won easily.
Why? Perhaps because Saturday’s game meant more to the vastly improved Illini than the bummed-out Buckeyes (6-5, 3-4). With the win, Illinois improved to 4-1 on the road. Its only loss was at Indiana in overtime.
“We’re not done yet,” Illinois coach Ron Turner said. “We’ve got one more to go. We’ve talked to our guys all year about fighting, competing. `Don’t worry about the score, don’t worry about records, don’t worry about anything. Just play football–and finish.’ Now that’s what we have to do.”
If Illinois beats Northwestern Saturday and finishes 7-4 a bowl game–any bowl game–would be like winning a trip to Disneyland. Two years ago the Illini were 0-11. From where Ohio State sat Saturday, the chance to play in a minor bowl paled in comparison to the two Citrus, one Rose and two Sugar Bowls they’ve been to the last five years.
“I hope they haven’t packed it in,” said Ohio State coach John Cooper of his players. “The way we played at times it makes you wonder.”
By contrast Illinois’ performance left no doubt. From Steve Fitts’ fake punt/18-yard pass to Jameel Cook that led to the second field goal to the tipped pass that wide receiver Brandon Lloyd hauled in as he tumbled to the ground for a 30-yard TD to the fumble that Antoineo Harris knocked free and then pounced on at the OSU 1 right before halftime-setting up Kurt Kittner’s 2-yard TD pass to Josh Whitman for a 29-7 lead–the Illini played like a team that would feel honored just to be invited. To anything.
“From where we’ve been,” Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther said, “Detroit would be great.”
Detroit is a short hop from the Pontiac Silverdome, host venue of the three-year-old Motor City Bowl, one of the second-tier games Illinois could go to. Others possibilities–if two Big Ten teams qualify for the Bowl Championship Series–include the Micron PC Bowl in Ft. Lauderdale and the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.
![The Arlington Heights Village Board granted developers of the planned Arlington 425 project in downtown Arlington Heights another construction-related extension – making this at least the second one – even as financing for the work has still not been secured. The mixed-use development, planned for 225 W. Campbell St., has been in the works for five years. “We’re looking to get it going,” Stephen Messutta, general counsel for Norwood Builders of Park Ridge, told the board at the April 15 meeting. The developer requested a zoning extension for the proposed redevelopment on the longtime empty land parcel located just steps […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2023/05/09/E6SSECNLL5F4JLRU4GG4CNMQ2A.jpg?w=535 "The Arlington Heights Village Board granted developers of the planned Arlington 425 project in downtown Arlington Heights another construction-related extension – making this at least the second one – even as financing for the work has still not been secured. The mixed-use development, planned for 225 W. Campbell St., has been in the works for five years. “We’re looking to get it going,” Stephen Messutta, general counsel for Norwood Builders of Park Ridge, told the board at the April 15 meeting. The developer requested a zoning extension for the proposed redevelopment on the longtime empty land parcel located just steps […]")
