Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Two Illini (Arrelious Benn and Rashard Mendenhall) found the end zone while two others (Kelvin Hayden and Alan Ball) had interceptions in victories for their team. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Brought down a 25-yard TD catch from Josh Freeman in a 24-20 comeback win over the Vikings.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Rushed for his first TD of the year on a one-yard run and picked up 66 total yards on the ground while adding two catches for 12 yards in a 24-0 win over the Seahawks.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Grabbed his first interception of the season off a Michael Vick pass to go along with three solo tackles in a 35-31 win over the Eagles.
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Notched an interception off an Alex Smith throw, four solo tackles and a pass defended in the 27-24 victory over the 49ers.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Hit three field goals from 22, 23 and 36 yards along with a pair of extra points in a 23-13 win over the Dolphins.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints - Recorded 41 yards on the ground and two catches for 14 yards in a 30-13 win over the Bears.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Tallied six solo tackles, including one for a loss, in the 23-13 loss to the Texans.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at right guard for the Giants, who posted 300 yards of total offense in a 28-16 win over the Rams.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Had one catch for eight yards in a 28-16 loss to the Giants.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Started at guard for the Jets, who had 101 yards rushing in a 32-3 win over the Jaguars.
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets - Had one catch for two yards in the 32-3 win over the Jaguars.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Had one tackle in a 35-21 loss to the Patriots.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Punted seven times, averaging 46 yards, in a 28-16 win over the Rams.
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Downed a punt in a 28-16 loss to the Giants.
Jon Asamoah, OG, Kansas City Chiefs - Started at right guard in a 48-3 loss to the Lions.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Played in the the 27-24 win over the 49ers, but did not record any statistics.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Played in the Saints' 30-13 win over the Bears, but did not record any statistics.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos - Did not play in the 24-22 win over the Bengals due to the groin injury.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Was inactive due to a foot injury.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions - Injured Reserve
Nate Bussey, LB, New Orleans Saints - Practice Squad
J Leman, LB, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Eddie McGee, WR, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Rushed for his first TD of the year on a one-yard run and picked up 66 total yards on the ground while adding two catches for 12 yards in a 24-0 win over the Seahawks.
Kelvin Hayden, CB, Atlanta Falcons - Grabbed his first interception of the season off a Michael Vick pass to go along with three solo tackles in a 35-31 win over the Eagles.
Alan Ball, CB, Dallas Cowboys - Notched an interception off an Alex Smith throw, four solo tackles and a pass defended in the 27-24 victory over the 49ers.
Neil Rackers, PK, Houston Texans - Hit three field goals from 22, 23 and 36 yards along with a pair of extra points in a 23-13 win over the Dolphins.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints - Recorded 41 yards on the ground and two catches for 14 yards in a 30-13 win over the Bears.
Vontae Davis, CB, Miami Dolphins - Tallied six solo tackles, including one for a loss, in the 23-13 loss to the Texans.
David Diehl, OT, New York Giants - Started at right guard for the Giants, who posted 300 yards of total offense in a 28-16 win over the Rams.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, St. Louis Rams - Had one catch for eight yards in a 28-16 loss to the Giants.
Brandon Moore, OG, New York Jets - Started at guard for the Jets, who had 101 yards rushing in a 32-3 win over the Jaguars.
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets - Had one catch for two yards in the 32-3 win over the Jaguars.
Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers - Had one tackle in a 35-21 loss to the Patriots.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants - Punted seven times, averaging 46 yards, in a 28-16 win over the Rams.
Brit Miller, FB, St. Louis Rams - Downed a punt in a 28-16 loss to the Giants.
Jon Asamoah, OG, Kansas City Chiefs - Started at right guard in a 48-3 loss to the Lions.
Josh Brent, DT, Dallas Cowboys - Played in the the 27-24 win over the 49ers, but did not record any statistics.
Martez Wilson, LB, New Orleans Saints - Played in the Saints' 30-13 win over the Bears, but did not record any statistics.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos - Did not play in the 24-22 win over the Bengals due to the groin injury.
Tony Pashos, OG, Cleveland Browns - Was inactive due to a foot injury.
Former Illini on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions - Injured Reserve
Nate Bussey, LB, New Orleans Saints - Practice Squad
J Leman, LB, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
Eddie McGee, WR, Oakland Raiders - Practice Squad
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