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Well the Illini made it look closer than it really was but an L is an L. You know it's interesting that the search terms used most often to find this blog are "fireronzook.com" and "Fire Ron Zook". During the game there was a sudden spike in traffic. People are trying to find a place to commiserate. I expect traffic to increase as the season progresses, time to start making money off this thing and serve some advertising. As for Illini reaction to the game here's some courtesy of Illinois' Scout.com message board:

Ill-prepared, poor play calling, lack of adjustments. Team continued to play hard but got no help from their coaches. Maybe only the ESPN coverage was worse.

Yeah, blame the network on the fact that your coach is a moRon and your defense sucks.

Definitely not a stellar performance by coaches or players tonight, very poor tackling all night.

I thought Zook was a defensive guru.

The fact that it took us so long to throw downfield was far too reminiscent of the Rose Bowl. We are predictable, unoriginal, and unwilling to keep going to the well when things are working.

Other than that, how did you enjoy the play Mrs. Lincoln?

agreed. poor tackling all nite. but we were clearly outcoached. 

Get used to it buddy.

This isn't the first time (or the second time) that we have come out with a very conservative passing game and the offense has struggled to move the ball. Then, after we fall behind, we finally start to open it up in the second half and suddenly start putting up points.

No killer instinct in Ron Zook pal. See Gators at Hurricanes in 2003.

My favorite quote however comes from Illinihq:

I'll look forward to smashing Mizzou next year when they suck again.

As if Illinois had this long and distinguished history of winning.  Illinois is now 7-15 against Mizzou all-time.