CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini junior defensive lineman Rob Bain was voted to the Academic All-District 5 first team, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced Thursday.
Bain, who is tied for the national lead in blocked kicks, has a 3.71 cumulative GPA as a communication major at the University of Illinois, while starting as a defensive tackle for the Illini. The Bolingbrook, Illinois, native has blocked three kicks in 2015, including two last week at Penn State, and has registered 24 tackles (12 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks.
Bain's efforts have helped Illinois rank tied for No. 1 in FBS in blocked kicks with five, the most for an Illini team since the 2001 Big Ten champion team blocked six kicks. Illinois is also near the top of the national charts in tackles for loss with 7.9 per game to rank 15th.
Bain has been a big part of the Illini's much-improved performance on the defensive end. Illinois has improved over 65 spots in the NCAA rankings in seven different categories, including third down defense (+82), first downs allowed (+71), total defense (+71), rushing defense (+70), interceptions (+70), blocked kicks (+69) and scoring defense (+67).
With his first-team selection, Bain becomes eligible for Academic All-America voting. He will look to become the Illini's 38th Academic All-American and first since center Ryan McDonald in 2007.
