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Lovie Smith is getting crushed on social media for Illinois’ 1st half performance
Published:
Illinois fans are less-than-pleased with the product they’re seeing on the field on Friday night. Head coach Lovie Smith is catching plenty of criticism on social media, too.
The Fighting Illini fell behind 28-7 in the 1st half, digging themselves a huge hole for the final 30 minutes of the game. But perhaps worse than the score at half was the lack of pass defense demonstrated in the first two quarters.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz sizzled in the first half his first game as the starter at Wisconsin, completing all 14 passes for 190 yards and 4 touchdowns in the first 30 minutes. It was an incredible start for the Badgers and an embarrassing effort from Illinois.
Because this is the most talented Illinois team of the Smith era, fans expected to see a better fight from the Illini. But it just didn’t happen through 30 minutes and fans were frustrated.
Here’s some of the reaction:
Illinois might want to leave Lovie Smith and his defensive coordinator in Madison after tonight. Wisconsin essentially playing a non-conference game. Every receiver is wide open.
— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) October 24, 2020
Dear Lovie Smith you need to resign, your on the field product sucks.
— The Assistant Coach (@Asstcoach) October 24, 2020
Lovie Smith will likely retire without having had a good team at Illinois. Still a basketball school.
— Nolo Contendere (@FreshPiffle) October 24, 2020
The Lovie Smith Defense that gives QBs everything allowed 14 touchdowns and 197.4 yards per game in 9 B1G games last season. Mertz has 190 yards and 4 touchdowns at halftime, and is yet to throw an incompletion. https://t.co/NSmc9lOgza
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 24, 2020
What a debut half for Lovie Smith
— Alex Benner (@Alex_Benner_43) October 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/statsowar/status/1319813420502470656?s=21
I’ve watched way too much football with Lovie Smith leading the way for my two favorite teams. Here’s the common denominator. If his team isn’t getting pressure on the QB with the front-4, it’s game over. #Illini
— Michael Szwaja (@ChiSportsTweetr) October 24, 2020
Lovie smith hot as fish grease right now. Defense out there playing like 💩. No jam or TE or WR. This is horrible
— Jay Foreman (@foreman5644) October 24, 2020
How much longer is Lovie Smith going to keep stealing money from the University of Illinois?
— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) October 24, 2020
A detailed breakdown of a Lovie Smith defense pic.twitter.com/gMpV5Spvbb
— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) October 24, 2020
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB