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Illini in the NFL Weekly Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Former Illini offensive lineman Jack Cornell has had an incredible year. He graduated from the University of Illinois last fall, helped the Illini to a bowl victory last December, joined the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent last spring, got engaged over the summer, and now he's become a Super Bowl Champion.
Illini in the NFL Weekly Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
A pair of Fighting Illini NFL rookies are in New Orleans this week for Super Bowl XLVII, which takes place this Sunday, Feb. 3, at 5:30 pm CT on CBS. Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of the San Francisco 49ers and offensive lineman Jack Cornell of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad have been in the "Big Easy" all week going through all the usual Super Bowl week events while also getting ready, and helping their teams get ready, for the big game. It marks the seventh straight year and the 11th time in the last 12 years that at least one Illini has played in the Super Bowl.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weeks. Brandon Lloyd had a touchdown catch to help the Patriots advance to the AFC championship game. In all, four former Illini will play for a trip to Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday after helping their teams wins in the Divisional round, plus Baltimore Ravens practice squad player Jack Cornell is still alive as well. The five total Illini still left on playoff rosters or practice squads is tied for 10th-most among all colleges.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weeks. Three Illini were in action during last weekend's wildcard round, Vontae Davis of the Colts, and Alan Ball and Whitney Mercilus of the Texans, while six will be in action this weekend during the divisional round.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weeks. Vontae Davis had two clutch interceptions to help the Colts to a Week 17 win over the Texans. In all, seven former Illini are headed to the playoffs, which begin this weekend with the Wildcard round.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Mikel Leshoure and Pierre Thomas both scored touchdowns, Corey Liuget tallied a season high two sacks and both Vontae Davis and Kelvin Hayden recorded interceptions.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Brandon Lloyd had a huge 190-yard game for the Patriots, while Jeff Cumberland (Jets) and Mikel Leshoure (Lions) both found the end zone to highlight Week 15 action.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Brandon Lloyd scored two touchdowns for the Patriots, Whitney Mercilus tied the Texans rookie sack record and Vontae Davis had his best game this season for the Colts to highlight Week 14 action.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Whitney Mercilus had a pair of sacks for the Texans, Jeff Cumberland scored the game-winning TD for the Jets and Mikel Leshoure scored his sixth TD in the last five games for the Lions to highlight Week 13 action.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Mikel Leshoure has now produced five touchdowns over the previous four games while Whitney Mercilus enjoyed a career high four tackle day in a thrilling Thanksgiving overtime win against Detroit.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Tavon Wilson made his team-leading fourth interception for the Patriots and Mikel Leshoure ran for another touchdown for the Lions to highlight Week 11 action.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Liuget broke out with a season best in tackles while Brandon Lloyd returned from a bye week to resume his solid season with the Patriots.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Mikel Leshoure had a huge day with a hat trick of touchdowns, Whitney Mercilus had another sack and forced fumble and Pierre Thomas and Martez Wilson helped the Saints get a win on Monday Night Football.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Brandon Lloyd found the endzone twice in the Patriots blowout against the Rams and Tavon Wilson added another interception to his season resume to highlight Week 8 action.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. Whitney Mercilus disrupted the Baltimore offense, while Pierre Thomas scored his 24th career rushing touchdown with the Saints to highlight Week 7 action.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. David Diehl returned from injury to anchor the Giants offensive line, while Mikel Leshoure and Brandon Lloyd both had productive days during Week 6.
Weekly
Update Archive | Illini in the
NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Rashard Mendenhall returned to action this week and found the end zone, Martez Wilson sealed a victory for the Saints and Jeff Cumberland recorded his first NFL touchdown.
Weekly
Update Archive | Illini in the
NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide
coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the
previous weekend. Tavon Wilson and Brandon Lloyd highlighted Week 4 with standout
plays, while rookie Jeff Allen made his first career NFL start.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Brandon Lloyd and Mikel Leshoure highlighted Week 3 with terrific individual performances. Take a look at how all 22 former Illini did during the week.
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website
Weekly Update Archive | Illini in the NFL Website 
Two former Illini, offensive lineman David Diehl and punter Steve
Weatherford, helped lead the New York Giants to a 21-17 victory over the
New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday night. Diehl, who was
also part of the 2008 Giants Super Bowl team, won his second career
championship while Weatherford earned his first-ever Super Bowl ring.
Two former Illini, offensive lineman David Diehl and punter Steve
Weatherford, earned a trip to the Super Bowl following the New York
Giants' 20-17 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship. Diehl, who was
part of the 2008 Super Bowl Champion Giants team, will make his second
Super Bowl appearance while Weatherford, who held for the game-winning
field goal on Sunday, will make his first-ever appearance in the game.
The Giants will play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 5:30
p.m. CT on NBC.
A pair of former Illini on the New York Giants advanced to the NFC
Conference Championship following a victory over the defending Super
Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers during the Divisional Round of the
playoffs. Offensive lineman David Diehl and punter Steve Weatherford
will play the San Francisco 49ers with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 5:30 p.m. CT on
FOX.
All six former Illini who suited up for Wild Card Weekend helped their teams
advance to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Pierre Thomas put on a
solid performance with over 100 yards of offense and a rushing
touchdown, Neil Rackers nailed a 39-yard field goal and David Diehl
helped pave the way for 172 rushing yards.Take a look at how former Illini fared in the final week of the NFL
season. Eight former Illinois football players have helped lead their
teams to the playoffs and six will suit up for the postseason,
including Pierre Thomas, Neil Rackers, David Diehl, Steve Weatherford, Martez Wilson and Nate Bussey. Rashard Mendenall and Kelvin Hayden will both miss
the playoffs due to injuries. Check out the video links for highlights from NFL.com.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. Rashard Mendenhall had a solid outing with a touchdown,
100-plus rushing yards and a career-long catch while both Pierre Thomas
and Arrelious Benn recorded scores to highlight Week 16. Read up on how
the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video
highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. Vontae Davis picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick twice and Pierre
Thomas scored his sixth TD of the season to highlight Week 15. Read up
on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for
video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Neil Rackers sealed the Texans' comeback win with an extra point with two seconds remaining to highlight Week 14. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. Rashard Mendenhall is up to eight touchdowns on the year after
two more TD runs while a couple Illini wide receivers made nice catches to highlight Week 13. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and
check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. Brandon Lloyd scored a TD for the third week in a row,
Vontae Davis nabbed his second interception of the season and Pierre Thomas had a touchdown and over 100 yards of offense to highlight
Week 12. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out
the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. Brandon Lloyd found the end zone on a 30-yard TD catch and
Arrelious Benn caught five passes to highlight Week 11. Read up on how
the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video
highlights. 
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. Rashard Mendenhall found the end zone twice, Brandon Lloyd
caught his second TD as a Ram and Vontae Davis had his first
interception of the year. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini
played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how
former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous
weekend. A pair of past Illini, Pierre Thomas and Rashard Mendenhall,
scored touchdowns, Kelvin Hayden picked off Curtis Painter and Neil
Rackers was perfect on three field goals. Read up on how the rest of the
past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Five past Illini squared off in the Rams-Saints game, which included touchdowns by Brandon Lloyd and Pierre Thomas. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Pierre Thomas gained over 100 yards in a blowout of the Colts, Brandon Lloyd made his debut for the Rams and Brandon Moore started his 112th consecutive game, the longest active streak for a guard in the league. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Rashard Mendenhall had his best game of the year thus far with a touchdown and over 100 yards rushing, Arrelious Benn turned in a career-long TD catch and Brandon Lloyd was traded to the St. Louis Rams. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Pierre Thomas caught the game-winning TD pass, his first of the season, for the Saints, Brandon Lloyd made a highlight reel catch and a handful Illini were off with the first bye week of the season. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Brandon Lloyd turned in his best receiving game of the year, Rashard Mendenhall scored his second TD of the season and Neil Rackers remained perfect with his 10th field goal to highlight week four. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. Neil Rackers was a perfect 4-of-4 on field goals, Martez Wilson made his first career start for the Saints, and Alan Ball had four tackles in a Monday Night victory. Read up on how the rest of the past Illini played and check out the links for video highlights.
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.
Each week the Illini in the NFL Update will provide coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous weekend. In all, 19 Illini made active 53-man rosters for the opening weekend. That does not count rookie Lions' RB Mikel Leshoure, who is on IR for the season with an Achilles injury, or the three former Illini that were named to practice squads (Nate Bussey, J Leman and Eddie McGee).
With former Illini and current New Orleans Saints Pierre Thomas and Martez Wilson opening up the NFL season tonight in Green Bay (7:30 p.m. CDT, NBC), I thought this might be a good time to take a roll call of all former Illini on NFL opening week rosters. In all, 19 Illini made active 53-man rosters for the opening weekend. That does not count rookie Lions' RB Mikel Leshoure, who is on IR for the season with an Achilles injury, or the three former Illini that were named to practice squads (Nate Bussey, J Leman and Eddie McGee).Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building
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