Illinois game

We are young. Very young. Our team has a lot of experience to get and a lot of things to learn. Although, that definitely isn't an excuse for the 34-32 loss to Indiana today. The Illini were winning for the majority of the game before giving up a game winning drive for a field goal. Let me list the problems I have with this game.

1) We ran a prevent defense on the last Indiana drive when we were doing a great job stopping them before without running the prevent. I'm just not a fan. Prevent works better when the opponent has to get a touchdown, not a field goal.
2) Our play calling was sporadic. Sometimes it was phenominal. We had great things going. We were taking risks, we were tossing the ball around, and we were having fun. But when the game came down to a critical juncture, we clammed up. We ran a passive offense, we didn't try anything exciting, and it was just coaching to not lose, not coaching to win. Now, I understand playing differently towards the end of a game, but I still disagree changing your game strategy to a riskless offense and a passive defense, especially when putting pressure on their quarterback worked.
3) MOST VISIBLY, we went for a two point conversion after a touchdown in the first quarter, missed it, and went for two again to try to make up the points. We didn't convert that, and we ended up losing by two...TO INDIANA!!! I question that playcall. We have run some risky plays at good points in the game, but that was not a time to go balls out on something crazy.
4) Our special teams suck. EB Halsey needs to not be returning kicks. Either he lets them go over his head, or he fields them and fumbles. I just can't take his lack of play making ability. There are other special team questions I have too, but I just gotta keep hoping...for later

GARRRR, frustrating day...frustrating. It's so hard to not make a big deal out of this. The only concern I have is making sure we learn from this and don't make the same mistakes.

EDIT: I was just on Illiniboard.com and I decided I need to make something clear. I'm not calling for Ron Zook's head on a plate, I'm not saying this loss is his gault, the players fault, or our O-coordinater's fault. It was a combination of everybody. I really belive that this team can be competative next year. These are mistakes that can change. There was a post on IB that said bad coaching is bad coaching and it's not going to change. That's just not true. If you make a mistake in your career, you get a chance to learn from it. So, I will trust that given another offseason, this team can be in prime shape for a bowl. That's not to say I've given up on this season either. We can still beat Ohio, Northwestern, and maybe even Purdue. I like how everybody praises Zook for winning at MSU last week and now he's a no talent bum this week...our fans our fickle.

Good night and good luck folks.