Rashard Mendenhall and the Fighting Illini hit the road this weekend for a battle at Iowa.

Oct. 8, 2007

FOR OPENERS

• When the Illini head to Iowa City this weekend to face Iowa in the 68th series meeting, Illinois will be 5-1 for the first time since 2001. Its five-game winning streak is the best since that same year when the Illini put together a run of seven straight victories en route to the Big Ten Championship.
• After its 5-1 start this season and 3-0 in the Big Ten, the University of Illinois football team is ranked 18th in the Associated Press and 19th the USA Today/Coaches Top-25 polls. The last time an Illinois team was ranked was in the final poll of the 2001 season at 12th.
• This week's game vs. Iowa features the strong running attack of Illinois, which ranks fifth in the nation, vs. the rushing and scoring defense of Iowa. The Illini running game averages 261.2 yards per game, however, the Hawks are only giving up 113 yards per contest, which ranks 30th nationally. The Illini offense is also posting over 30 points on the average, but the Iowa defense has allowed an average of 16 points, which is good enough for 14th in the NCAA.
• The Illini have had three players named Big Ten Players of the Week this season. Running back Rashard Mendenhall and defensive end Will Davis earned honors after their performances against Indiana, and receiver Arrelious Benn was the special teams honoree for his kickoff return for a touchdown vs. Penn State.
• It is no surprise to see Illinois linebacker J Leman among the nation's best tacklers. With 71 tackles in six games, he is ranked fifth in the nation in tackles per game. As the Big Ten leader, Leman is averaging 11.8 stops per game. He has led the conference in tackles per game for the last 14 weeks, dating back to the 2006 season.
• Illinois leads the Big Ten in rushing and ranks sixth in the NCAA. The Illini are averaging 261.2 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry this season.
• This season, the Illinois schedule continues to be a tough one. Illinois plays seven teams that were in bowl games a year ago and three teams that are ranked in the Top-25: Ohio State is No. 3, Missouri is No. 11 and Wisconsin is 15th. Indiana, Michigan and Penn State also are receiving votes.
• Illinois will have at least three sellouts for the 2007 season. The Penn State game sold out before kickoff on Sept. 29 and the athletic department announced sellouts for the Wisconsin and Michigan games during the first few weeks of the season. They are the first sellouts since the 2002 season (Michigan) and the first time for three sellouts in a season since 1986, when Illinois sold out six games.
• The Illini are 3-0 at Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2001.

ILLINOIS' WIN VS. WISCONSIN MARKED:

• the first team to defeat the Badgers in 15 games, breaking a 14-game winning streak 4 the first time Illinois has beaten back-to-back ranked opponents in consecutive weekends since 1959
• the first time Illinois has started 3-0 in Big Ten play since 1990 4 the first time an Illini team a Top-5 team since defeating Southern Cal in 1989
• the first time the Illini have beaten a Top-5 Big Ten team since Ohio State in 1985 4 the first time Illinois beat Wisconsin since 2002
• the first time Illinois has won five games in a row and started the season 5-1 since 2001

IOWA SERIES NOTES:

• Illinois leads the series by a 37-28-2 advantage, while also holding the edge in games played in Iowa City, 18-15-2.
• Iowa has won the last four games in the series with the Illini's last victory against the Hawkeyes coming in 2000 in Champaign, 31-0.
• Illini head coach Ron Zook is 0-3 against Iowa, while head coach Kirk Ferentz is 4-2 vs. Illinois and 3-0 vs. Zook. Prior to coming to Illinois, Zook faced and lost to Iowa in the Capitol One Bowl in 2003.

RECORDS TO WATCH

• Senior kicker Jason Reda currently stands fourth on the Illinois career scoring list, needing 12 points to pass Doug Higgins for third. Reda needs 44 more points this season to become the career scoring leader.
• Reda also is third on the career field goals list. He would need 11 more field goals to become the career field goal record holder.
• Rashard Mendenhall has recorded four 100-yard rushing game this season. The school record is six, held by Jim Grabowski (1965) and J.C. Caroline (1953). Mendenhall needs 103 rushing yards to move to 16th on the school's all-time rushing. In three seasons, he has accumulated 1,630 yards on the ground on just 240 carries, for a 6.8 career yard per carry average. The highest yard per carry average among Illinois' all-time rushers belongs to Pierre Thomas, who posted 5.6 ypc from 2003-06.
• Wide receiver Arrelious Benn has caught 29 passes for 337 yards through six games this season, which is on pace to break Illinois' freshman receiving records. The record of 43 receptions is held by Ty Douthard in 1993 and the 511 receiving yards were posted by Brandon Lloyd in 1999.
• Senior linebacker J Leman needs 24 tackles to move into ninth place on the Illini career tackles list. He already ranks ninth on the career tackles for loss list with 32.5, one more and he jumps into the eighth spot and three get him to sixth.

MENDENHALL IN HUNT FOR DOAK WALKER

With this season being his first as the primary back, Mendenhall may not be the household name of the some of the frontrunners for the Doak Walker Award. However, looking at the impact he has had on Illinois' success this year and his numbers in comparison to the best backs in the country, Mendenhall should be in the heart of this race.

GIANT KILLERS:

The goal of the Illini defense is to hold all opposing running backs and skill players to under 100 yards rushing. So far through six games, no individual has topped the 100-yard rushing mark vs. Illinois. Here are some of the highlights:

• Kellen Lewis, Indiana: Lewis entered the Big Ten opener vs. Illinois averaging 105 rushing yards per game and was a big reason that the Hoosiers' running game was ranked seventh in the nation. When he met the Illini defense, he was held to just 35 yards on the ground and the team to only 134.
• P.J. Hill, Wisconsin: Hill entered the game with five consecutive 100-yard rushing games and averaged 133 yards per game. Against the Illini, Hill was held to 83.

J Leman and the Illinois defense will try to shut down the Hawkeye offensive attack this Saturday.

ILLINI LINEBACKER J Leman

• At the time the 2006 Butkus Award Watch list was released, Illini linebacker J Leman was an unknown name to most people outside of the Illinois fan base, but he entered the 2007 season as one of the top returning linebackers in the country.
• Leman has picked up right where he left off last season posting five double-digit performances in six games. His 20 tackles in the season opener marked his second 20-plus tackle effort (after 22 in the season finale of 2006 vs. Northwestern). Currently he leads the Big Ten in tackles per contest with 11.8 and ranks fifth in the nation. He also recorded his first collegiate interception with a touchdown-saving pick against No. 19 Penn State.
• Illinois' 1994 Butkus Award winner Dana Howard says, "Leman should be Illinois' next Butkus Award winner."
• Last season, Leman jumped onto the national scene with dominant games against Michigan State, Wisconsin and then-No. 1 Ohio State. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after totaling 19 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss against the top-ranked Buckeyes. He followed up that performance with 22 tackles and 2.5 TFL in the season finale at Northwestern.
• Leman led the Big Ten with 12.7 tackles per game and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He was also named to the Sports Illustrated All-American team as an honorable mention and is one of only eight returning linebackers in the nation to earn all-star honors.

THE RACE FOR THE BUTKUS AWARD

This year the race for the Butkus award seems to wide open with only three of the 10 2006 semifinalists returning this season. Last year, 19 linebackers earned some form of All-America honors and only eight of those players are back in 2007, including Illinois middle linebacker J Leman. Here is how Leman stacks up against those defenders:

CARRYING THE LOAD

This season, the rushing offense has mainly been in the hands of one running back, junior Rashard Mendenhall. After working behind two other running backs for the first two years of his career, Mendenhall has found himself in the spotlight. This season marks the first time since 2002 that the Illini have used primarily one back. In that year, Antoineo Harris set the school single-season rushing record with 1,330 yards. Through six games, Mendenhall has rushed for 772 yards, averaging 128.7 ypg. He also is averaging 6.8 yards per carry and ranks seventh in the nation in rushing. His 10 rushing touchdowns are the most in a season since Steve Havard recorded 10 in 1999. big ten 1,000-Yard Rushers Through six games in the 2007 season the Big Ten boasts 12 career 1,000 yard rushers. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall ranks eighth among active running backs in the Big Ten. With four 100-yard rushing performances this year, Mendenhall looks to move up that list.

BIG TEN 1,000-YARD RUSHERS

Through five games in the 2007 season the Big Ten boasts 12 career 1,000 yard rushers. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall ranks eighth among active running backs in the Big Ten. With three 100-yard rushing performances this year, Mendenhall looks to move up that list.

1. Mike Hart, Sr., Michigan - 4,649 yards
2. Albert Young, Sr., Iowa - 2,605 yards
3. Tyrell Sutton, Jr., Northwestern - 2,596 yards
4. Amir Pinnix, Sr., Minnesota - 2,345 yards
5. P.J. Hill, So., Wisconsin - 2,318 yards
6. Javon Ringer, Jr., Michigan State - 2,045 yards
7. Jehuu Caulcrick, Sr., Michigan State - 1,999 yards
8. Kory Sheets, Sr., Purdue - 1,849 yards
9. Rashard Mendenhall, Jr., Illinois - 1,630 yards
10. Damian Sims, Sr., Iowa - 1,334 yards
11. Austin Scott, Sr., Penn State - 1,323 yards
12. Chris Wells, So., Ohio State - 1,202 yards

FROM THE DIAMOND TO THE GRIDIRON

Illinois' true-freshman safety Bo Flowers turns 24 Nov. 12, he is the oldest player on the Illini roster. Flowers is beginning his college career this season after four years in professional baseball. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2003 by the Detroit Tigers. After spending three seasons in the Detroit organization, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs where he played the 2006 season. Currently, Flowers is a walk-on on the Illini team because the Tigers are footing the college bill. He is one of eight active Division I-A football players who have seen action in minor league baseball: Gary Banks (Troy...Cubs); Mike Conroy (UConn...Indians); Dennis Dixon (Oregon ... Braves); Bo Flowers (Illinois...Tigers/Cubs); Marquise Liverpool (Temple...Mariners); Michael Machen (Baylor...Braves/Orioles); Mike Nixon (Arizona State...Dodgers); Jose Perez (SDSU...Yankees)

KEEPING UP WITH THE DAVISES

Illinois defenders Vontae and Will Davis (no relation) are two of the bright spots on this Illini defense which ranks 22nd in rushing and 56th in total defense nationally. Vontae, a two-year starting cornerback, has made an impact on the Illini program in a short time. Last season, he earned unanimous first-team Freshman All-America honors and is one of the best corners in the Big Ten this season. He has put together three-straight games with interceptions and has five passes broken up. He also has blocked two punts this year in just six games. Will, a junior defensive end, already has six sacks and eight tackles for loss on the year. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his performance vs. Indiana, which accounted for four sacks and five TFL. He currently ranks 11th in the NCAA in quarterback sacks.

PULLING DOUBLE DUTY

Junior receiver Kyle Hudson is in his third year of pulling double-duty as a starting wide receiver on the football team and starting centerfielder on the Illini baseball team. Hudson led the Illini in receptions last year with 30 and in receiving yards each of his first two seasons. In three seasons, he has accumulated 961 receiving yards. On the diamond, he has started 87 of 88 games in two seasons. He led the team in hitting as a freshman and was second as a sophomore. He is hitting .360 for his two-season average and has stolen 26 bases in that span. As a freshman, he won the school's Newcomer of the Year award for the impact he made on the two sports.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

• The Illini offense has faced two top-15 rushing defenses in 12th-ranked Indiana (allowing 71.3 ypg) and fifth-ranked Penn State (allowing 54.8 ypg). In each of those two games, the Illini rushed for over 200 yards - 288 at Indiana and 216 vs. the Nittany Lions
• The Illini have posted five straight 200-yard rushing games this season with 277-yards against WIU, 378 at Syracuse, 288 at Indiana, 216 vs. Penn State and 289 vs. Wisconsin. The 378 rushing yards vs. SU were the best under head coach Ron Zook. For the year, Illinois is averaging 261.2 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry. So far, the team's per game rushing average is 72 yards better than a year ago when it won the Big Ten rushing title.
• Running back Rashard Mendenhall earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance vs. Indiana on 9/22. He rushed for a career-high 214 yards on a career-most 27 carries (7.9 ypc).
• Last season, the Illini proved to have big-play ability with 49 plays over 20 yards. Already through six games, the offense is on pace to top that number with 33 big plays.
• In the first three weeks of the season, the Illini outgained their opponent. Against the vaunted Missouri offense, Illinois edged them by a 435-429 margin, while also posting a better average in yards per play, 5.9-4.9. Against Western Illinois and Syracuse, the offense dominated, more than doubling their opponents, 908-438.
• For the first time in the Zook era at Illinois, the Illini have recorded four games of over 400 yards total offense. They began the season with 435 yards, posted 400 vs. Western Illinois and topped the 500-yard mark with 508 at Syracuse. Last week, the Illni posted 410 yards in its upset of No. 5 Wisconsin.
• Against Missouri, the Illini passed for 316 yards, combining the quarterback numbers of Juice Williams (59) and Eddie McGee (257). It was the first 300-yard passing performance for an Illini team since the squad put up 430 yards on California on Sept. 20, 2003.

Chris Norwell will start the 40th game of his college career at Iowa Saturday.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

• After only forcing 20 turnovers last year as a defense, this year's campaign is already halfway to topping that number. Through six games, the Illini have forced 13 turnovers, six fumbles and seven interceptions. The squad also put together back-to-back four-turnover games against Indiana and Penn State.
• With his start vs. Penn State, senior defensive tackle Chris Norwell became the Illinois record holder for most games started by a defensive lineman. He now has 39 for his career, beating out All-American Moe Gardner's 37 starts from 1987-1990.
• Defensive end Will Davis was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his game against Indiana on 9/22. He recorded four sacks and five tackles for loss (both rank second in Illinois' single-game record books).
• With its 21-0 win over Western Illinois, the Illini recorded its first shutout since blanking Iowa on Oct. 14, 2000. It was also the fewest total yards allowed during the Zook era at (152), fewest passing yards (71) and fewest first downs (4).
• Beginning at the 8:32 mark of the fourth quarter vs. Missouri, the Illini defense held its opponents scoreless for 99:21. It ended in the third quarter at Syracuse when the Orange kicked a field goal at 14:11.
• The defense is extremely experienced, returning nine of 11 starters. All three starting linebackers return, along with three lineman and three defensive backs. Five Illini on defense have recorded 20 or more starts in their career: SS Justin Harrison (31), LB J Leman (34), FS Kevin Mitchell (27), DT Chris Norwell (39), DE Derek Walker (28).

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

• Senior placekicker Jason Reda has been perfect on his seven field goal attempts of the year. After not attempting a kick in the first two games of the season, he has made seven field goals in the last four contests. He has connected on two 50-yard field goals this season, the second-longest of his career (50 vs. Wisconsin and Syracuse). He has made two 40-plus field goals (45 vs. Indiana and 47 vs. Penn State).
• Arrelious Benn returned Illinois' first kickoff of the game vs. Penn State 90 yards for a touchdown. He was the first Illini to score on a kickoff return since Pierre Thomas did it in 2004 against Western Michigan. Even more impressive, he scored on his first-ever kickoff return attempt. It also was the first kickoff return for a touchdown against a Penn State team since 1994. He gave Illinois a 7-3 lead over Penn State, which it never relinquished. It marks the first time a true-freshman earned a Big Ten weekly honor since Northwestern's Tyrell Sutton on Sept. 12, 2005.
• For his performance against Penn State, Benn was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
• After an offseason position battle, redshirt-freshman Anthony Santella earned the starting punter job. Santella has punted 35 times for a 35.6 average. But of those 35 punts, only 10 have been returned (29 percent) for a total of 53 yards (5.3 yard per return). He has placed 11 punts inside the 20 yard line (31 percent) and five have been fair caught.
• Sophomore cornerback Vontae Davis has now blocked two punts this year. He got his second of the season against Indiana. When he got a hand on a Missouri punt in the season opener, it was Illinois' first blocked punt since the 2004 season. He recovered the block at the 2-yard line and took it in for the score.
• Oddly enough, Illinois this year boasts a trio of four-year starters on the field goal and extra point units. Long snapper Kyle Knezetic, holder Frank Lenti Jr. and Reda have worked together extensively throughout their careers as Illini, giving the coaching staff a great deal of confidence in that special teams unit.

FIRST-TIMERS

• The Illini have played nine true-freshmen through six games: Arrelious Benn has started four games at wide receiver; Josh Brent (DT), Nate Bussey (DB), Bo Flowers (DB), Brian Gamble (WR), Troy Pollard (RB), Erique Robertson (LB), Marcus Thomas (DB) and Martez Wilson (LB) are the other eight.
• In addition to the nine true-freshmen, nine others have seen their first collegiate football action this year: junior wide receiver Will Judson, sophomore running back Daniel Dufrene, and redshirt freshmen defensive end Jerry Brown, defensive back Garrett Edwards, offensive guard Randall Hunt, offensive guard Brandon Jordan, quarterback Eddie McGee, offensive lineman Ryan Palmer and punter Anthony Santella.

ILLINI IN DOMES

• This year Illinois play in domes for three of its six away games. With its 41-20 win over Syracuse in the Carrier Dome on Sept. 15 the Illini broke a streak of nine straight losses in Domes, dating back to the 1994 season.
• The team kicked off the season at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis against Missouri, and fell to 0-3 at the venue after a 34-40 loss to the Tigers. The squad evened its record on the year with a 41-20 win over Syracuse in the Carrier Dome to improve to 3-0 in the arena.
• In week 10, the squad heads to the Metrodome to play Minnesota in an evening contest. The Illini are 3-5-1 in the Metrodome since the Gophers began playing there in 1982.

DAVIS' FAMILY INSTRUMENTAL IN LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT

Illinois defensive end Will Davis' family are natives of the Republic of Liberia. He has spent his entire life in the United States, and was able to visit Liberia as a young child before Civil War broke out. Now that the war has ended his mother, Pearine Davis-Parkinson, recently returned home to become the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of State office. The Ministry of State supports the work of the President of the Republic of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The major departments of the Ministry of State are the Office of the President, Administration, and Public Affairs and Communications Technology. Davis' mother played basketball for the Liberian national team and at the University of Liberia. His uncle, John Davis, played soccer for Liberia. She should be in town in the month of October to attend Illinois football games.

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