Minnesota

Illinois Football Week 10 Grades: How the Illini Fared Against Minnesota

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2024

Illinois Football Week 10 Grades: How the Illini Fared Against Minnesota

Saturday was supposed to be a new beginning for No. 24 Illinois, but Minnesota and coach P.J. Fleck didn’t receive the script. Before the Illini (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) move on to Week 11 and a home matchup against Michigan State, let’s take a glance at how they fared and identify some areas of improvement.

Running back Josh McCray (72 rushing yards on just seven carries vs. Minnesota) is the only Illini ball carrier right now who can make something out of nothing. Too often, that’s exactly what he’s left to do. The Illini continue to produce decent-to-good rushing numbers – but almost in spite of themselves, rather than as a matter of dedication or execution. Based on the design of this team, Illinois is reliant on a steady, reliable run game. Just maybe don’t hold your breath.

He just kept going! 🔥 Josh McCray to the endzone for @IlliniFootball pic.twitter.com/m546ntpkk8
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 2, 2024

Pat Bryant likely wasn’t himself. Zakhari Franklin got banged up. Minnesota uncharacteristically dialed up its blitz packages, and although Illinois’ pass protection was at times fantastic, it made quarterback Luke Altmyer skittish on the plays when it wasn’t. But these aren’t excuses that good teams make for themselves. Too little consistency and too many missed opportunities.

There are bright spots – Bryant is a beast in this phase, for example – but they are mostly random and inconsequential when they aren’t put together on a consistent basis. It sounds overly simplistic to say that the Illini need to put helmets on helmets to create more and better ground gains on first and second downs, which would help their efforts to keep Altmyer upright, but it really is that simple. Illinois is just getting beat up front too often.

Throw out a couple of big running plays for Minnesota and Illinois did a bang-up job here Saturday. Unfortunately, those big plays – like Gophers running back Darius Taylor’s 29-yard touchdown run – still count. The Illini D is always going to perform better against the run when it has leverage (notably, fresh legs and a lead), but you can’t always get what you want.

All things considered, this area was a highlight for Illinois in Week 10. Defensive back Xavier Scott was injured in the second half, but the Illini secondary (almost) didn’t miss a beat while he convalesced – and they did it with little help from the pass rush. One wonders what the results would look like if defensive coordinator Aaron Henry sent extra pressure more often, especially with Illinois’ offense struggling to create enough big plays of its own.

The Illini continue to excel here, particularly whenever kicker David Olano takes the field. That’s no knock on Ethan Moczulski, who gave it the old college try on a booming 55-yard field-goal attempt (which had the leg but missed wide) at the end of the first half. Nor is it an implication of punter Hugh Robertson, whose hang times have been down lately but who pinned Minnesota’s offense at its own 2-yard line with a 53-yard punt and stuck another inside the 20. Cover teams were rock-solid as usual.

Harsh? Maybe. But consider it a compliment that the bar has been raised in Champaign. Bielema and his staff had some bright moments Saturday, including when the head coach successfully argued his case against a timeout that was inaccurately called on Illinois in a key moment and on well-managed drives to end both halves that scraped together scoring chances out of chicken scratch. But the Illini needed this game to recover from the Oregon loss and, ultimately, to get where they believe they’re going. But neither the play-calling nor the execution were up to snuff. Everyone on the home sideline came up at least a little short Saturday.

Big Ten Football Week 11 Power Rankings: Illinois Falls, Indiana Rises

Instant Analysis: Illinois Falls to Minnesota, 25-17

Illinois Football vs. Minnesota: Week 10 Postgame Injury Updates

‘Clown Show’: Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Calls Out Officiating

Source link

Minnesota

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

Published

50 minutes ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

(FOX 9) – The Minnesota National Guard tells FOX 9 there are currently 250 guard members on regularly scheduled deployment at the United States Central Command areas of responsibility as the United States leads strikes in Iran.

Guardsman in Middle East

What we know:

The Minnesota National Guard says the deployed airmen and soldiers are serving from Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing, the Marshall-based 1-151 Artillery, and the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company.

What they’re saying:

“While their missions and duty locations vary, all are grateful for the strong support of those back home,” writes Army Maj. Andrea Tsuchiya, State Public Affairs Officer for the Minnesota National Guard.

What we don’t know:

The guard did not disclose the exact bases or countries where the soldiers and airmen are serving.

CENTCOM covers 21 countries including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Pres. Trump says Iran operations likely to last 4 to 5 weeks

Big picture view:

In his first public remarks since the launch of the attack on Iran, President Trump said he expected operations to last four to five weeks, but he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

The president also laid out his objective for the mission: to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, to “annihilate” their navy, to ensure the country doesn’t obtain a nuclear weapon and that the regime “cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

WorldMinnesotaPolitics

Source link

Minnesota

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Published

13 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Iranians in Minnesota react to Khamenei death

Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. While many Iranian-Americans expressed hope for regime change, anti-war protesters also took to the streets to condemn the military strikes, with some members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation calling the operation “unlawful” and “illegal.”

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East. Anti-war protesters also took the streets of Minneapolis Saturday.

Plus, Jewish communities say they are on high alert over concerns of potential retaliatory acts in major cities across the U.S.

‘Massive moment’

What we know:

Following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation in Iran, Khamenei was killed in an attack, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday.

What they’re saying:

Iranian community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street on Sunday to express hope for regime change.

Dozens of Iranian-Americans said they are celebrating the news.

“We are here to support Iranian people. Today, everybody is happy, very happy,” said Beheshteh Zargaran, an Iranian-American.

“Killed Khamenei, which was the supreme leader, and hopefully they will continue this action and help Iranians finally topple the Islamic regime,” said Faraz Samavat, an Iranian-American.

“That means a lot. We are fighting for almost half a century to destroy this cruel regime against people of Iran,” said Ali Mohammad, an Iranian-American.

Iranians in MN celebrate strikes by Pres. Trump

Iranians in the Twin Cities are gathering in downtown Minneapolis to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation. Community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street to express hope for regime change after news that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was killed in Saturday’s airstrikes.

The other side:

Protesters also took to the streets in the Twin Cities over the weekend condemning the strikes.

Some people are criticizing the military operation including members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation. Congresswoman Betty McCollum called the strikes “unlawful” and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called the war “illegal and unjustified.”

Heightened security:

Jewish communities in Minnesota say they are also on high alert following security guidance across the country to prevent potential retaliatory violence.

“A heightened sense of vigilance making sure that everybody is aware of their surroundings and that all of the protective measures are in place,” said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

There are currently no known specific threats against local Jewish communities.

WorldDonald J. TrumpPoliticsMinneapolisReligion

Source link

Minnesota

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

article

Storm reports in from Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 28.

LANESBORO, Minn. (FOX 9) – Impressive snow totals were reported in parts of Minnesota after a narrow band of heavy snowfall worked its way across the state.