College Football 25 🏈 : Illinois Fightin Illini at Houston Cougars

welcome to Houston Texas and the house bill yman and Andre w built home to the Houston Cougars where the fans are ready for liftoffs there's just something about the night cap after a day of wall toall football it just seems this is when chaos ensues as we'll see a squad from the Big 10 the Illinois fighting ali9 taking on a team from the Big 12 the Houston Cougars glad to have you with us for EA Sports college football I'm reys Davis David Po and Jesse Palmer with me in the booth guys we are ready to it up Houston ready to boot it deep and get this game going here he comes from inside his own five he was looking for some Running Room but not much to be found as he stopped at the 18 so Illinois offense will have the first possession of the game and here's the man they rally around and he has earned that type of respect David you dang right you earn it by doing it and he's done it at such a high level everyone believes in this young man in Palmer there's a reason why you're right David he's been in the big moments and he's won the big games this guy delivers when the game is on the line and keeps the running game churning pick up of five to the 23 halfway there on first down it's second and five from the gun running back gets to give finds his way ahead for five and now they got it at the 28 I know that wasn't a big huge play and everybody's not excited the fans aren going crazy but those are the plays that in the fourth quarter matter a lot again making you tackle my back making you feel the physicality of the football game throughout so you get tired and get worn down in the fourth quar it's a game of first downs and they've got one after their own 37 here's this offense with a fresh set of downs power football with the Run and he's to the 48 ydd line that would be good enough for a first down I think it's really important for this offense they get this guy going early in the game and they're doing a nice job of that right now remember he's the kind of running back who gets better as the game goes on that's a really good omen for this offense considering his success now early hit hard as he released the ball on that first down pass and it never had a chance they'll run it from the gun maybe a three y pick up there third and long coming up I'll tell you this is a running back who's very very dangerous and the defense did a good job getting him down there but they got to do a great job game tackling because this is a guy that can break tackles and turn those types of plays into home runs ripping through the defense and getting it all the way down to the 24 yd line and they just want to give this guy a chance to make a play on third down and more times than not he is going to deliver he's so good so efficient such good route Runner got the speed got the complete game so you definitely want to highlight him and especially on those Downs that matter the most if something's not open Quick underneath find him he'll make those contested catches out of the gun the inside hand off to the running back they wrestle him down after he picks up six inside the 20 and down at the 18 got six on first down now a lot of options on second and four from the gun they'll try to impose their running game tackle is made after the first down and already this guy is leaving his mark on this game opening drive backto back runs where he's found a way to get positive yards he was able to pick up the First on that last carry issu ke touchdown fighting a line on they grab the early lead you love as a head coach to watch your offense take the field and establish a rhythm and consistency the way they did there everything they dialed up was working to Perfection they go 10 plays on the opening drive and cap it off with a [Music] touchdown P unit on the field ex point and with the extra point they get the first seven of the game so a drive there of 80 2 Y and they finish it with an 11 yd touchdown Dart just about set to kick it away and it'll be a Touchback the ball will come out to the 25 yd line so Houston's offense taking the field first chance we have to see them today as we take a look at our impact players for this game David what do you look for to make an impact from your leaders your leaders not only have to lead the football team but they got to step up and make plays on the field keep everybody calm these guys typically do a really good job yeah David and they also generally set the tone for their respective football teams regardless of which side of the ball they play on the teammates look towards them to step up in big games like this Smith dropping to pass a little screen to the running back and and the defense able to drag him down but not before they'll recycle that down marker ball is at the 35 it's first and 10 on the ground it's Jenkins a most efficient pick up of six on first down it's second and four they go to the ground he's right out of bounds but not before turning in a big pick up and working the sticks for a first down and that's back to back now we've seen this running back get it done on their opening drive of the game that last carry got the first down so if I'm the offensive coordinator right now I love the way my o Line's playing and I love the way this guy's to in the Rock I'm going to give it to him again they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one lost one on that last one it's second and 11 he's looking to throw got his man quickly he is delivering the blow while running the ball and he gets it to the 39 offense breaks the Huddle on third down he'll set up to throw they're setting up the screen they make the stop but not before the screen has hit him for a first down and much more really good execution by this offense he's going to pass can't find a man and he'll be knocked down at the 40 and that's a great job by the defense not letting that bird out of the cage when you can run like this guy can you got to keep the edge did a great job he went backwards retreated gave up some ground they didn't give up the outside got the sack on the play that's the end of the quarter and Illinois has the lead here we put one in the books Let's have a look at our game summary now to see if these guys can get back in the game as we open the second quarter that's the last thing you want as an offense a negative play a sack on first down he'll keep it himself a strong tackle and wrap up from the junior well the QB decided to keep it on that one and listen if you had his athleticism you'd want to keep it too almost every time they run these types of option plays but he's just going to have to do a good job of understanding when to hand it off when to pitch it and try to keep this defense on their heels and read his keys he's got a lot of talent just got to make sure he's making the right decisions moving forward Smith wants the throw he wants it all can't make the grab as he was looking for his man right at the goal line defense rolls up deep in its own end on that last play now a second and long coming he's looking to throw release to the back touchdown Houston hello and they'll put that scoreboard operator to work and put six on the board the field position was bad the Finish was great great way to answer that poor field position poor field position no problem how about it great job by the offensive coordinator this offense getting in a good Rhythm early even backed up even in a predictable situation great job coming out on to attempt the try is on for the extra point splits those uprights right in half they put it in the end zone with a 12pl scoring drive and they cap things off with a nyd touchdown pass from inside his own 10 he'll try to help out their field position able to find enough for him to get it out across the 25 he's brought down at the 26 the Illinois offense returns to the field after standing on the sideline and watching that long touchdown Drive they really need to put something together to give their defense a rest and that's a real thing man like youve played a lot of plays you get worn out you need a chance to go decompress on the sideline get some oxygen Palmer now it's on this offense yeah this is the definition of complimentary football cuz it's a two-prong problem you've got to score he's going to fire deep and how about that DB getting a hand in there and forcing the incomplete pass after the misfire now on second down they go to the draw they ripped off seven on that one now a third down and three draws and screams are a great way to slow down really aggressive pass rushers it allows the defensive ends and the defensive tackers to run up field linemen kind of push him up field go down to the next level try to sneak in a big play trying to make that Rush think on the draw play here fights his way for a couple but stopped short of the marker it's fourth and one this offensive line better figure out a plan for this deep tackle he is tough to block with one guy you might want to start double teaming him he's going to be a problem moving forward you saw all of his ability on that last play they get him on the ground but it's a first down that's how it's done and it's an easy decision when you get it there's no second guessing when you get it nice job by the offense converting the fourth down it's complete he's R out of bounds but a big play on that one and it'll be a first down here's this offense with a fresh set of downs for the off the play fake on first down looking down the middle he's got it defense knocks him down immediately after the catch but now they're facing a goal to go situation from the seven and a really good job by the quarterback being very decisive he saw his matchup he went for it he attacked it got the positive gain I would say he's going to find that guy a few more times today Illinois looking to pay things off on first and goal they'll try to get it in with the Run he pushes it forward all the way to the 2yd line now the offense tries to punch it in on second and goal tries again to get it in Into The End Zone he goes touchdown Al follow the blocker the offensive line will take you to the Hallelujah land and I tell you what most of the time Reese it requires a little bit of skill to find that hole and you know slier through a little crack that was not a crack that was wide open didn't take a lot of vision cuz the blocking was out stand and he tacks on the extra point about to kick it off after punching it in for the touchdown and it'll come out to the 25 no attempt at a return the Houston offense ready to go back to work now they need to put something together to answer that last score there's a lot of pressure too on this offense to have to execute at a high level they've got to score points D but they can't go too fast cuz their defense right now is time and I think that's the difficulty being a play call like I have to balance all of those things my defense is a little bit tired I can't put on the field but I got to be aggressive because this is a back and forth type game so a lot to process and think about it's third down now and they ought to be able to get off one more play before the two-minute warning the clock has reached the two-minute Mark and they have a chance to at least cut into this lead before the break third down conversions always a huge stat and they've got a third and long from the 27 the short hands it's Carr and he was loose and out the gate and doesn't go down until he gets to the 48 yd [Applause] line they'll throw it on first down quick strike complete brought down at the 38 it's a pick up of 10 and a first down Houston wants to play Fast another first Smith dropping to pass looking to the big tight end and this will be incomplete a big hit there forces second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they' throw it again back to the air one more time going for the big play fires a bullet now it's picked off and defensive backs you think don't have good hands the big fell shows it how about that defensive back going up and getting the interception nice job breaking on the football you say that's why you play defense cuz you don't have hands yeah I be the def here comes the Ali ey offense back onto the field that last Drive really productive David wound up with a touchdown they'll try to do it again yeah so I don't expect this offense to change too much Reese they had a great Drive they got the touchdown everything working I would expect them to keep pushing this ball down here and just imagine if they could put another touchdown on the board right here they could capture so much momentum in this game with back to- back TDS tips deflections those are such good things for defense a lot of times they lead to interceptions big plays just try to get any kind of disruption you can one back in the back field and they'll give it to him he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple we got a timeout here late in the first half and they'll try to get more points on the board before the break Illinois lining up to punt this one away makes a move made a Defender miss that Nifty return sets up the offense and negates some of the yardage on the punt offense getting set for first [Music] [Applause] down looking to move it through the air feeling some heat can't find his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again Smith dropping to pass quickly complete nice gain of six leaving them with third and four trying to pick up a first down out of the shot gun on third down throws to the wide out makes the grab a huge pick up on the play before he goes out of bounds but the question is will it stand there is a penalty marker on the field so the decision has been made and the coach will take the penalty it would have been a 54 y if they had tried the field goal instead they'll try to convert on Fourth and short and they can't make the connection on Fourth Down and they'll turn it over offense had an empty set will they'll come out on this drive and let it rip and you just don't expect your Junior quarterback to get fooled and to throw it into double coverage like that yeah nice coverage and you'd like to snag that interception but there's always a reason why these Thoroughbred athletes play defense it's usually because of their lack of hands like you just saw and it'll be incomplete this is some physical pass defense a third and long coming up here from on the gun wants to pass going downfield for the big play and trying to put points on the board on third down now they're staring at Fourth Down Illinois runs the punt unit onto the field this will be the second time they've had to kick it away Fields the punt wants to make a Play Everybody stays in their Lanes well enough and they stop him at the 31 yd line Houston sending the offense back onto the field they've got it back after that last Drive stalled out and they were stopped on fourth down David yeah and they put a little bit of a drive together ma jestic they stalled on the other side of the field and they got to find a way to keep that momentum going as they get closer to the end zone I agree I I do like their mindset though and I think they need to continue being aggressive moving forward in this game I just back in the middle a timeout is called as this offense tries to find a way to get more points on the board before the half time dwindling away as they try to put points on the the board right before the half coming after it and the defense gets to the quarterback clock still running almost certainly the last play of the half third [Applause] coming first half in the book time now to join Kevin Connors in our halftime update guys time for everyone inside that Stadium to take a deep breath and digest what we just saw talk about a first half from that dude out of the back field he's been a total Game Changer and how many top plays moments have we seen on Miss tackles Alone video game moves from one of the shiftiest players in all of college football he thought about bringing that out for a half second but he'll take a knee and they'll bring it to the 25 here comes the Houston offense once again if they're going to get on top in this game they're going to have to find a way to get the running game going in the second half agree so it can create some more balance some more unpredictability I feel like this defense has got a good beat on what they're doing especially if they don't mix it up a little bit so I do look for a little second half run in the football pal out of this group and I think the thing Dave is they just got to be more physical I don't think this is a schem question off he goes he's at the 20 that is just a gargantuan play as he has it on all the way down to the 12 Houston Going Up Tempo [Applause] looks as if they didn't get it off in time it'll be a delay of game delay of game offense the quarterback just lost track of the play clock didn't get the snap off quickly enough first down for this offense Smith wants to throw gets it out fast and he's able to shed one tackle and pick up pretty good yardage guys out of the back field now it's not just run the ball downhill anymore you got to be versal I got to be able to trust you in the pass game and I got to be able to throw you the football and you can do that right there and he rolls into the house touchdown Cooper and I like the running back F he sees the hole explodes through it he knows where the goal line is Gets In The End Zone gets six [Music] now they'll line up for what they hope is automatic and they did make the extra point and we have a tie ball game here in the third quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and the Capper on that drive the 10yd touchdown run looking for an alley from inside his own 10 and the coverage team gets the returner on the ground illo off the Illinois offense returns to the field boy three and out last time David they'd like to be more productive this time around yeah in the last Drive nothing really clicked no rhythm got off the field really really quickly they need to put something together here playing like a unit on this drive picked up two plays that are called run it runs you leave the play on no matter what look the defense gives you that time the defense was blitzing but they just kept the play on that is an attitude type run that you can run into any kind of look and it paid off for they bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one yeah the offense was trying to go draw make it look like pass but I'll tell you the linebackers were F they came down hard quickly got into the back field and got the tack and in third and short it's a great place to be for an offense you got the whole play avable and they choose to pass the defense did a really good job playing the pass and fourth down now it's decision time for you and he's going to get it up to about the 29 yd line before he's brought down the Houston offense comes onto the field this could be a real turning point in the game they scored a touchdown they got a stop and now a chance to break the tie yeah this offense has got it cooking man and how about the defense great job getting that stop getting the football right back to the hot hand now this offense B has a chance to take the lead you can see the offense too they understand the situ sitation right now they were jonesing on the sidelines to get another opportunity to run back on the field they are ready to drive this ball and go score he got a loose almost P finally dragg down at the 32 one big play can really flip the script of a drive it's first and 10 from just outside the 30 looking for room it's Jenkins they pick up half of it it'll be second and five you see they need runs like that it's just it's been so few and far between defensively they've been in position they've been winning their one-on-one battles getting off of blocks and rallying to the ball carrier this defense has done a nice job slowing down the Run game this far tackle was made but not until he gets the first down this Houston offense about to snap it on first down again from the Red Zone looking for a space incomplete thanks to the great defensive pressure there that sort of threw them out of rhythm this has been a tight one third quarter all tied up it's now second and 10 it's complete touchdown Houston and with that they've got the lead here in the second half and really nice job seeing the middle and wait just a second the officials going to take a second look at this one so after reviewing the undisputable video evidence the replay booth has decided to overturn the call and the Cougars are threatening on first and goal they'll try to get it in with the run and he takes it to the house touchdown Houston hello down in tight to the goal line you saw some good movement up front by the offensive line getting a push and giving that running back in chance they'll try to attack one more on their score and with the extra point the score is now 21-4 they took it 71 yds down the field and it was closed out by the short yardage [Applause] touchdown and he takes this from inside the five didn't find any increase in that kickoff coverage and he'll be stopped at the 17 here comes the Ali ey offense back onto the field their Drive chart is starting to look a little monotonous punt punt punt David and their defense is starting to get a little frustrated too just keep putting me back on the field possession after possession Jesse this offense needs to get their heads out of there you know what the punter's on the sideline with the oxygen mask right now he's been playing so much he's not used to this this offense they just just got to stay on the field they've got to put a drive together and get some balance going running and throwing the ball that's the end of the quarter and Houston has the lead they're sitting in a strong position here with the lead let's take a look at our game summary when you're dealing with a deficit like this it's all about somebody stepping up to make a play and you might as well start here in the fourth quarter we'll get this quarter going with a second down play to the air it's altm trying to beat the D deep and is knocked away and incomplete the defensive back staying in phase and batting it away you know I feel for this offense if they're going to get back in the game I don't know if they're going to be able to do it with chunk plays they're going to have to be methodical and generate some first downs and March down the field Ball's at the 27 this offense facing a third and long from the gun wants to pass unloads to the wide out got him downfield and the explosive play and they're on the move all the way to the 44 well how about the offense setting that play up we've seen earlier in the game a couple shorter throws they're just trying to suck those safeties closer to the line of scrimmage anticipating that they would get an opportunity to take a shot they called the perfect play at the perfect time right there he wants to throw unloads it left and that pass is intercepted taking it the other way he is finally out of bounds but he was smelling that End Zone on that returning who says defensive backs don't have hands nice job breaking up the football and making the catch a lot of times you see guys SWAT it down or you see them trying to catch it looks like they have two left hands defensive backs don't catch real well nice job breaking on the football nice job securing the int and actually catching it he'll start this drive firing looking left and that incomplete pass caused by the big hit on first down second down coming after the quarterback and receiver failed to hook up they'll try it again on second down he's looking to throw and the pass is incomplete Jarred Loose by the hit third down conversions are a huge stat and this one would be a doozy if they can pull it off and the incomplete pass will bring up fourth down Houston sends the punt team onto the field and that is a frustrating possession for this offense you wanted to run the football maybe take some time you did the opposite got in a bad situation threw the football stopped the clock not how you manage a game late in the fourth quarter the Illinois offense returns to the field that last Drive was promising for a while but you just can't mess it up at the end with the pick Jesse no you got to be able to finish drives especially in this game if you're going to win and David they've got to be able to eliminate the metal mistakes yeah and I don't think you get conservative or play it safe you can trust your guy I think you put the ball right back in his hands and let him do his thing hit hard just as he released it on first down and just couldn't get it to the receiver and finally the defense is able to get some pressure on this quarterback they had been trying all game long different ways to affect him weren't able to get there but on that play because of the pressure it affected his accuracy and that's why the ball Falls incomplete snagged in the middle it's Franklin really needed to play like that to get out of their own end they move the chains they mark it at the 29 maybe this will breathe a little life into this offense which has been flatlined in the second half here's first and 10 can find his man as he took a shot trying to deliver that football and it'll be second down couldn't make the connection last time let's see if they throw it again keeping it on the ground with the single back out across the 30 to the 39 after getting 10 on that one and listen if it ain't broke don't fix it I I mean I love teams that commit to the run and when it's successful keep running the rock yeah David I I think this offensive line right now they've got a lather going they're really sort of getting in the groove and flow of this game they're just getting tremendous push at the point of attack it seems like every single time they decide to run the ball they'll try the run now he's got it all the way down to the 21 yd line and they are threatening on first down first down physicality wins football games being able to run the football and create balance and and right here just chews up another first down gives you another chance to maybe continue to run the football and I feel like this guy too is just an explosive play waiting to happen his vision his quickness and he's got a burst if you give this guy just a crease he's going to hit it right now he's doing some damage on this defense and they are looking to pull even with a touchdown here in the fourth quarter a first down run in the Red Zone nowhere to run on that one he loses four on the carry there is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide on these situations you know the physical ground game comes into play inside the 5 yd line and they match the intensity nice job he makes a catch in the Endo touchdown Illinois one of the areas they really focused on with this receiver in the off season was we need you to make more plays for us in the end zone when we're taking shots we need to be able to step up and make tough catches and David what a grab right there and I think a lot of that has to do with trusting your guy knowing where he's going to be knowing when he's going to sit down down when he's not so being on the same page and then having a guy that can go get it just when the ball is near him he's going to make the play just like he did right there for six points and no problem on that extra point and we have a tie ball game here in the fourth they put together an 81 yd drive and they CA the drive with a four yd touchdown pass and he'll just take a knee and this drive will start at 25 the Houston offense ready to go back to work last time David it was one two three kick the last drive that three and out sometimes that puts your defense in a bad spot and you got to get a drive together here so you don't wear the defense out I just think David too predictable that last Drive they got to do something here to get this defense on the field the Cougars want to move quickly and that's why QBs love their tight ends so much right especially when they're athletic cuz they make short throws turn into long games because of his ability after the catch it's so unique and special he is dominant in this offense got three on first down it's second and seven the give to the tail back he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple how about the defender being a heat seeking missile he was on radar lock he found the football and flew down with some bad intentions with the catch it's Williams now with a great opportunity as they pick up the first down they got it at the 40 m clock stopped two minutes left to play in this one Houston is moving it quickly down the field Smith dropping to pass and the physical play there forces the incompletion on first down now second and 10 he's looking to throw receiver looks it in it's complete just making a play getting it to the 23 yd line it'll be first down the Cougars come to the line with a fresh set of downs they'll give it to the back and he's a real Nowhere Man tackled in this no gain land they got nothing on the last play it's second and [Applause] 10 the give to the back he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple they're trying to run the football there's just nowhere to go for the ball carrier inside he tried to bounce it to the outside that linebacker way too fast he met him there and forced the TF they'll go to the ground and sure tackling there to keep him from getting to the first down marker so on fourth down here comes the field goal kicker in a huge spot [Applause] it's good and that was dead solid perfect they're celebrating on the sideline after taking the lead but still time on the clock you got to give this guy so much credit man it is so hard in practice to simulate the pressure that he just faced late in the game seconds left on the clock you have an opportunity to kick a field goal to put your team up late in the game and he absolutely drilled it what a moment for that young man and the returner could find no daylight he goes down here comes the Eli offense back onto the field and if you list the priorities here Jesse first thing get your kicker into his comfort zone it's a balance here between being conservative in being aggressive you know that a field goal obviously puts you in a position to win this game but David I don't hate being aggressive here either no I'm going to be aggressive I'm not leaving it up to my Kicker if I have a choice I trust my offense I make the plays I know I can make I watch the clock but I stay aggressive complete to the left he'll move it up to the 37 yard line and it'll be a first down I'll tell you what that's great execution between the QB and receiver they look like they could execute that throw in their sleep quarterback took his steps threw it on time great route by the receiver nice job securing the catch got to move quickly here they need to get it to field goal range looking for a man it's alt Meer HS it in and there getting it rolling with that play to the 42 yd line that is just textbook execution by the receiver on the corner route for that first down also great find by the quarterback line gets set first down he's looking to throw it oh he's going to try to hit him Deep Falls incomplete they fought to the final whistle but that's going to do it you know there's no real reason to panic but if you think about it when this panicking everything really but certainly this was a bitterly disappointing outcome and you can look at a lot of different statistics and I know we tend to over complicate college football these days but guys at the end of the day it comes down to two very simple things you can't turn the ball over and you can't have penalties you do those things David and it'll beat you every time that's the difference between winning and losing it's the small things but find those things that you need to improve on keep working on them keep devel those things you do well let's do those let's do more of those things more consistently that's going to do it for us from here for Jesse Palmer David poock I'm Rees Davis and this has been another presentation of EA Sports college football