The John Paddock era is going to be the stuff of legend.
Whether or not he starts another game for the Illini, his name will be synonymous for a brand of football Illinois fans haven’t seen in decades.
He has exhibited an extraordinary level of “clutch” or moxy, or whatever term you want to use for brass balls and gigantic heart.
His ability to rally the offense into a coherent demolition derby has been staggering ever since he stepped onto the field on 4th and 11 in Minneapolis.