What started out as a generally boring game turned into quite the thriller at the end. Western Michigan took advantage of some costly Illinois mistakes and barely held on at the end for the win. With under 2 minutes to go, the Broncos downed a punt on the Illinois 1. Juice Williams connected with AJ Jenkins on what appeared to be a game winning touchdown reception before Jenkins slipped at the 22 yard line. The Illini attack was then stymied and the Broncos held on in front of a raucous crowd in Ford Field for the win.

http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/m-fo.../110808aab.html

Western Michigan PP's:

Fryar, Londen 5-10.8, 192, 6 4.45 CB 2009- Had a brilliant pick where he read the QB's eyes, did a nice job of jumping the route, and made a great catch. Also finished with 3 solo tackles. Was hurt in the 2nd quarter and did not return: B(when he played)

Ledbetter, Brandon 6-5, 230 82 TE 2009- Had 5 receptions for 39 yards. Took an absolute shot in the 2nd quarter and was out for awhile but came back to have a nice game. Runs good routes, and makes good adjustments on the ball. Was also very impressed with his blocking. Made a block 20 yards down the field that freed up Simmons for another 15 yards: B+

Simmons, Jamarko 6-2 234, 27 WR 2009- Probably the best player you've never heard of(granted I had barely heard of him before yesterday as well). This guy just passed Greg Jennings as the all time leading receiver in Bronco history. I like his game a lot and see tons of things that translate his game to the NFL. He made two great grabs where he got 2 feet in where most other receivers don't get any. Had 11 receptions for 174 and 1 touchdown. Good size, even better speed, great hands. Runs very solid crisp routes. Needs more exposure but this guy to me one of the best receivers in the game: A+

Armstrong(33) did a great job of knocking balls away and finished with 12 tackles.

Illinois PP's:

Cumberland, Jeff 6-5, 251, 17 4.65 TE 2010- 3 catches for 76 yards including a 61 yard scamper. Huge target, but doesn't know how to found soft spots in coverage when Juice is scrambling. Some off the field worries however might hold him back: B

Davis, Vontae 6-0, 205, 1 4.39 CB 2010- 6 tackles(3 solos) and .5 TFL. Alittle disappointed with his performance today. Got burnt several times by Simmons, and also was a bit weak on run support trying to arm tackle a little too much. I still like Davis as the #1 corner in this draft, but not his best game: C+

Davis, Will DE 6-3, 268, 81 4.75 2009- Was an absolute menace against the run with 6 tackles, 1.5 TFL and .5 sacks. Had many QB pressures and hurries but was not really able to get the QB down. Slides well on east-west running plays and has the athleticism to keep up. Not really sure why he is so low on our DE rankings: A

Fulton, Xavier OT 2009- Did a pretty solid job. Tends to take poor angles against slides and other shifts. Very good with his hands: B-

McDonald, Ryan 6-4, 296, 60 5.20 C 2009- I'm impressed by his quick first step, but he is clearly more of a pass blocker than run blocker. Can't finish blocks off and does not have the best athleticism(not slow but can't shift at all). Big for a center and does take on powerful DT's nicely: B-

Miller, Brit 6-1, 250, 44 4.70 LB 2009- This guy is literally all over the field. Finished with 17 tackles(9 solos), 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, and one awesome forced fumble in which he viciously stripped the ball out from a falling Bronco receiver. Brit is huge but is still everywhere. Just a great defensive playmaker who will make a great pro: A

Pittman, Rodney 6-1.5, 242, 45 4.70 LB 2009- Only had one assisted tackle. I didn't catch if he was hurt or not, but wasn't on the field that much during the game: incomplete

Walker, Derek 6-4, 270, 91 4.75 DE 2009- Severely overrated in my opinion. Had 3 tackles(1 solo) and was really thrown around by the Bronco offensive line. Has the frame to gain more weight but as his current state, he is not physical enough to play in the NFL. Teammate Will Davis is a lot more polished and will have more success in the NFL: D

Williams, Juice 6-2, 233 7 QB 2010- Had a pretty tough game going 20-45 with 328 yards, also had 68 yards rushing off of 12 runs. A lot of his throws sailed and both interceptions were actually really good plays by the DB's. Locks onto his target sometimes and make it easy on corners to read his eyes. Has another year to gain more polish but almost assuredly will change positions in the NFL: C

Sophomore WR Aurrelious Benn had 227 all purpose yards and is a really good looking receiver. Will be a top WR prospect in the next few years.

Illinois now drops to 5-5(3-3) and must get a win next week at home against Ohio State or at Northwestern to become bowl eligible. Western Michigan 8-2(5-1) returns home to play Toledo but is still on the outside looking in for the MAC championship game chasing both Ball State and Central Michigan.

I wrote about Jamarko Simmons last year, he's a much slower Brandon Marshall he's about 4.61 in the 40 but moves well and might make it as an H-Back. I think Irving Fryar's some will make it as a Nickel. What did you think of Hiller, I think he might be the 3rd or 4th best QB in the MAC and still might be a #3 at the next level. Ledbetter needs more bulk but has a shot to stick as a Sheffler-type TE.

U of I's guys seem to often play up or down to the level of the competition, do you blame the coaching or youth?

I think Simmons has the talent and ball skills to make the NFL as a WR, a mega sleeper in this draft for me. Ledbetter is bigger but nowhere near as athletic of a TE as Scheffler, but a solid midlevel prospect nonetheless.

As far as Illinois goes, I'd have to blame the coaches. They have a very veteran defense, and a veteran QB in Juice Williams, and yet they still deal with inconsistency. Zook has always been a great recruitor, but in my opinion he has yet to prove to me that he can field a consistent winning team. Hopefully that continues...haha