Brit Miller and his counterparts on the Illini defense will attempt to slow down the Ohio State Buckeye attack Saturday. Last weekend, Miller made 17 tackles against Western Michigan.
Nov. 10, 2008
FOR OPENERS
Illinois quarterback Juice Williams can break the Illinois season total offense record with 326 yards in his final two games. He also is 243 yards shy of the Big Ten season total offense top-10.
Williams is 241 passing yards away from the 3,000-yard mark this season. It would be the first 3,000-yard season for an Illinois player since Kurt Kittner in 2001. With his 328-yard performance against Western Michigan, he reached the 6,000-yard point for his career to become only the fifth quarterback in Illinois history to pass for 6,000 or more yards.
Williams leads the Big Ten in total offense and has since the first week of the season. This week, he is averaging 334.6 yards per game - 57.7 on the ground and 276.9 in the air - which ranks seventh nationally. He has led the league, for the past four weeks, in passing and currently ranks 13th nationally. Williams also is 21st in the NCAA?in passing efficiency and second in the league.
Illini receiver Arrelious Benn is averaging 6.0 catches per game, which is the most for an Illini receiver since Brandon Lloyd averaged 6.2 catches per contest in 2002. That number also ranks second in the Big Ten. In six Big Ten games, Benn has posted 114.0 yards receiving per game, 41 yards more than his next competitor (Minnesota's Eric Decker with 73.0 per game).
Benn has a chance to be the first Illini receiver to top 1,000 receiving yards since Lloyd in 2002 with 53 yards in the final two games. He would be just the fourth receiver in Illinois history to accomplish the feat.
The Illini offense ranks in the top-2 in the Big Ten in three offensive categories - first in passing (277.9) and total offense (447.6) and second in scoring offense (31.4). Nationally, Illinois ranks in the top-35 in all three categories - total (15), passing (16) and scoring (33).
Illinois' offense has put up some staggering numbers thus far, ranking first in the Big Ten and 15th in the nation in total yards (447.9 ypg). The Illini have posted over 500 yards five times already this season and accomplished the feat in three straight games (Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana) for the first time since 2002.
Illinois middle linebacker Brit Miller leads the Big Ten in tackles for the 10th time in 11 weeks with 11.0 per game, which ranks fifth in the NCAA. He also is averaging 1.6 tackles for loss per game, which ranks ninth in the nation.
As a defense, the Illini are leading the Big Ten in both tackles for loss and sacks with 7.7 and 3.2 per game. Those numbers rank 12th and sixth in the NCAA.
Illinois' Ron Zook has defeated Michigan in "The Big House" (2008) and Ohio State in "The Horseshoe" (2007). He is one of two active Big Ten coaches (Joe Paterno is the other, beating Michigan in 1994 and 1996, and Ohio State in 1978) and is one of 13 coaches in Big Ten history to accomplished the feat.
Illinois had a season-high six sacks against Iowa, as part of 10 tackles for loss. The six sacks are the most by the Orange and Blue since recording seven at Indiana on Sept. 22, 2007. The Illini defense has now recorded 32 sacks and 77 TFLs on the season.
Freshman Matt Eller kicked a 46-yard field goal with 29 seconds remaining to seal the victory against Iowa. It marked Illinois' first game-winning field goal in the final minute since Jason Reda hit a 39-yarder with six seconds left at Michigan State on Sept. 30, 2006, for a 23-20 win. Eller is 7-of-9 on field goals over 40 yards.
With its 4-1 record at home this year, Illinois has won nine of its last 11 games at Memorial Stadium after posting a 5-1 record in 2007.
Junior cornerback Vontae Davis was named to the Thorpe Award Semfinal List for the second straight year. He is one of 13 honored and one of just three from the Big Ten Conference. Davis is in his third year as a starter in the Illinois secondary and currently has posted 56 tackles, 5.5 for loss. He has one interception and seven passes broken up. He is tied for second in the Big Ten in fumbles forced (0.22/game) and is 19th in the Big Ten in tackles per game with 6.4. Davis is a 2008 Playboy All-American and a unanimous preseason All-America selection.
The semifinalist list will be narrowed to three finalists on Monday, November 24, and the winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast nationally on Thursday, December 11. Formal presentation will be at a banquet in Oklahoma City, Monday, February 11, 2009. The award, named after Oklahoma born Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe, is presented annually to the defensive back who best exhibits performance on the field, athletic ability and character
ALL-BIG TEN ANNOUNCEMENT SHOW
The Big Ten Network will present the live, exclusive announcement of the 2008 All-Big Ten football teams and individual honors during a special edition of Big Ten Tonight at 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 24. Dave Revsine will host the announcement alongside analysts Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith, with selected award winners joining them during the 30-minute program. The special edition of Big Ten Tonight will reveal the All-Big Ten teams as selected by both the coaches and the media. Coaches and media each will select a Big Ten Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year. Media also will honor the Dave McClain Coach of the Year while the coaches will pick an Offensive and Defensive Lineman of the Year.
EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE
Illinois has scored touchdowns in less than two minutes on 17 of its 38 scoring drives, which ranks 14th nationally. The fastest drive has been a one-play, eight-second drive that culminated in a 13-yard touchdown run by Arrelious Benn vs. Eastern Illinois.
The Illinois offense ranks fourth nationally with six touchdowns over 50 yards.
Juice Williams has completed 10 passes over 50 yards this season, second-most in the country. Six of those have gone for touchdowns, which is third behind Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Tulsa's David Johnson.
The Illini also have 17 touchdown-scoring drives of five plays or less, which ranks seventh nationally.
KING OF THE HOUSE
Juice Williams has accomplished a feat unprecedented in history. In three games this season (Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota), he has set stadium records in total offense numbers.
Williams passed for 451 yards and rushed for 10 against Missouri on Aug. 30 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo., eclipsing the 456 yards posted by Rams quarterback Marc Bulger against the New York Jets in 2004. Others that Williams surpassed include Kansas State's Michael Bishop, who had 442 total yards in the 1998 Big 12 championship game, and Tommy Corwin, who had 453 for DeSmet in a high school state title game in 2005. Williams managed to surpass Bulger's best day despite being sacked five times by Missouri for a loss of 42 yards. In college, sacks count against a quarterback's rushing yards but in the NFL they don't.
Williams compiled 431 yards of total offense at Michigan Stadium on Oct. 4, which is a Michigan Stadium record. One week later on Oct. 11 against Minnesota, Williams threw for 462 yards and rushed for another 41, making his 503 total yards an Illinois Memorial Stadium record.
Based on research collected by Division I SIDs, there are no other current players who own stadium records in more than one venue, much less three.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Illinois' five losses have come to teams with a combined record of 37-13 (Missouri 8-2, Penn State 9-1, Minnesota 7-3, Wisconsin 5-5, Western Michigan 8-2).
Three of Illinois' 11 FBS opponents are ranked in the top-25 - Penn State (7), Ohio State (10), Missouri (12).
Illinois' three FBS non-conference opponents have a combined record of 19-8. Missouri is ranked 12th at 8-2, Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-4 and Western Michigan is 8-2.
Against third-ranked and undefeated Penn State, the Illini offense posted over 350 total yards, the only team to do so this year. Illinois also put up 24 points, tied for the most scored against PSU this season (along with Iowa).
THE BATTLE FOR THE ILLIBUCK
This week, Illinois and Ohio State will play for the coveted Illibuck Trophy. Ohio State leads the "Illibuck" series with a 56-23-2 mark.
"Illibuck" is--or was--a turtle, destined for long life, it was hoped. But the wear and tear of traveling between Champaign-Urbana and Columbus was too much, even for a hardy marine reptile. "Illibuck" died in the spring of 1927 and his successor is now a wooden replica. Members of two junior honorary societies, Bucket and Dipper of Ohio State and Sachem of Illinois, annually meet at halftime of the Fighting Illini-Buckeye game to present the "Illibuck" trophy to last year's winning school. In the past, the ritual also included the smoking of a peace pipe.
The Illini took back the "Illibuck" with a 28-21 victory over the top-ranked Buckeyes last season in Columbus after a five-year hiatus. Illinois last had the trophy in 2001 before losing it in 2002, 2005 and 2006. Ohio State and Illinois did not meet in 2003 or 2004.
RB Daniel Dufrene had a key 80-yard run in last year's Illini victory at Ohio Stadium.
OHIO STATE SERIES NOTES
Saturday's game marks the 95th meeting between these two teams, dating back to 1902. Ohio State holds the series lead, 60-30-4. OSU also holds the series lead in Champaign, 32-12.
Last season, Illinois handed the top-ranked Buckeyes their first loss of the season, 28-21, at the Horseshoe in Columbus. It was Illinois' first win over a No. 1 team since 1956 and helped propel the Fighting Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl game.
Despite OSU dominating the overall series history, it has been especially competitive lately, with the teams splitting the last 18 meetings. The last seven match-ups have been particularly competitive, with the Illini winning three times in Columbus (1999, 2001 and 2007) and dropping three close games during that span (17-10 to No. 1 OSU in 2006, 23-16 in overtime to No. 2 OSU in 2002, and 24-21 on a last-second field goal in 2000).
This will be Ron Zook's fourth head-to-head meeting with Ohio State. He lost his first two games to OSU, 40-2 in 2005 and 17-10 in 2006 before the victory last season in Columbus. Buckeye coach Jim Tressel is 3-2 vs. the Illini.
Zook was the defensive backs coach on the Ohio State coaching staff from 1988-90 under John Cooper. The Illini were 3-0 vs. Ohio State during that time, including two wins in Columbus.
Zook is a native of Loudonville, Ohio, and is a 1976 graduate of Miami of Ohio. He was a three-year letter winning defensive back from 1973-75 and a captain of the 1975 team. During his time, Miami was 32-1-1.
Illini offensive line coach Eric Wolford is an Ohio native from Youngstown and special teams coach Mike Woodford hails from Niles, Ohio.
The Illini have faced a ranked Ohio State team on 35 occasions in the series history and are 11-24 vs. the Buckeyes in those contests (dating back to 1942 when rankings were recorded in Illinois archives).
Illinois has 10 players on its roster from the state of Ohio, including the following players who have seen time on the field in 2008: redshirt-freshman defensive tackle Daryle Ballew (Cincinnati/Withrow), junior wide receiver Jeff Cumberland (Columbus/Brookhaven), junior defensive end Antonio James (Massillon/Washington), sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Palmer (Canton/Glen Oak) and freshman wide receiver Cordale Scott (Cleveland/Glenville).
ILLINOIS HIGHLIGHTS VS. THE BUCKEYES
Last season, Illinois beat No. 1 Ohio State, 28-21, in Columbus, marking the first time the Fighting Illini beat a top-ranked team since 1956. The victory ended OSU's 29-game regular season winning streak and 21-game Big Ten winning streak.
The Illini rushed for 260 yards in last year's win, the most the Buckeyes allowed all season. The key drive for the Illini came at the end of the game, where--despite not scoring--the Illini gained 42 yards on 16 plays while milking the final 8:09 off the clock to seal the victory.
Junior quarterback Juice Williams kept the final drive alive with a big first down conversion on fourth-and-one with just over six minutes remaining. He would go on to covert three more third downs with his feet help the Illini run out the clock and pull off the upset.
Williams threw what was then a career-high four touchdown passes while going 12-for-22 for 140 yards and zero interceptions in last year's upset. He also rushed 16 times for 70 yards.
Junior running back Daniel Dufrene ran for 106 yards on just eight carries, including an 80-yard scamper on Illinois' second play of the game to set-up its first touchdown, in last year's game in Columbus.
Junior tight end Michael Hoomanawanui caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Juice Williams in the first quarter for Illinois' first score last season.
Junior defensive back Dere Hicks intercepted a Todd Boeckman pass in the first quarter to set up Illinois' second touchdown in the 2007 victory.
ILLINOIS RECORDS TO WATCH
Juice Williams needs 150 yards to move into the top-13 on the all-time rushing list in the Illinois record books.
Williams needs 326 yards to break the Illinois season total offense record.
Williams needs 92 rushing yards to break the 2,000-yard mark. He would be the 14th player in school history to top 2,000 and the first non-running back.
Williams already holds the Illinois season record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 775 last year, but needs 178 yards in his final two regular season games to beat that mark.
Receiver Arrelious Benn needs 53 yards to break the 1,000-yard receiving mark for a season. He would be the first Illini over 1,000 since Brandon Lloyd in 2002.
Benn needs three receptions to move to eighth on the Illinois top-10 career catches list and four to rank seventh on the single-season list.
Benn needs 332 yards to break the Illinois single-season receiving yards record.
Running back Daniel Dufrene needs 131 rushing yards to break the career 1,000-yard mark.
Linebacker Brit Miller needs two tackles for loss to move to seventh on the Illinois career top-10 list.
Matt Eller needs one field goal to tie the freshman field goal record of 13 held by Chris Sigourney in 1991.
Center Ryan McDonald is two starts away from tying the school record for most starts in a career.
ILLINOIS VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
Illinois will face its third top-25 opponent of the season when it squares off with No. 10 Ohio State. The Illini lost to No. 12 Missouri in the season opener and at No. 7 Penn State in game four.
Last season, the Illini were 3-2 vs. top-25 opponents and 2-1 against top-10 foes (wins over No. 19 Penn State, No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 1 Ohio State, and losses to No. 24 Michigan and No. 7 USC). In the Ron Zook era, the Illini are 3-10 against ranked teams.
In his seven years as a head coach, Ron Zook has posted nine wins over ranked opponents.
ILLINOIS ON A "JOURNEY"
The Big Ten Network original series Illinois Football: The Journey airs each Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. CT/9:30 p.m. ET. The 10th show of the season, which airs on Nov. 11, shows Illinois behind the scenes in its win over Iowa. The episode will give viewers a look at the new weight room facility in Memorial Stadium and goes along with players as they vote in the 2008 presidential election.
New episodes will air at 8:30 p.m. CT/9:30 p.m. ET every Tuesday during the football season, with the previous week's show preceding the new episode. Viewers can follow The Journey online with a producer's diary, bonus video clips, photos, archived segments and a five-minute video preview of the season premiere by visiting www.BigTenNetwork.com/Journey.
BIG TEN 1,000-YARD RUSHERS
The Big Ten boasts 11 career 1,000-yard rushers. Illinois quarterback Juice Williams ranks sixth among active players and is tops among the two quarterbacks in the rankings. Indiana's Kellen Lewis is the only other signal-caller on the list.
Juice Williams ranks first in the Big Ten in passing and total offense, second in passing efficiency, 13th in rushing and is the only quarterback in the country to hold three stadium records (total offense in the Edward Jones Dome, Michigan Stadium and Illinois' Memorial Stadium).
Williams has twice been named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week this season. He earned the honor for his performance at Michigan after posting 431 yards of total offense against the Wolverines, breaking a Michigan Stadium record, and against Missouri after throwing for a career-high five TDs and 451 yards on a career-high 26 completions. His 451 passing yards rank fourth all-time at Illinois. He out-passed Chase Daniel 451 yards to 323 and threw two more TDs than the Missouri Heisman candidate.
With 310 yards passing and 121 yards rushing vs. Michigan on Oct. 4, Williams became just the third player in Big Ten history to rack up over 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in single game. He joins Northwestern's Zak Kustok (421 passing, 111 rushing vs. Bowling Green on 11/17/2001) and Michigan State's Drew Stanton (308 passing, 102 rushing vs. Minnesota on 10/16/2004) in the Big Ten record books. Williams accomplished the feat for the 24th time in NCAA history and is the only player in the nation to do it this year. It was also the first time in school history.
Williams now owns two of the top-5 spots in the Illinois record books for passing yardage in a game with his 462 yards vs. Minnesota and 451 vs. Missouri. He is third and fourth behind Dave Wilson's 621 yards (11/8/80) and Tony Eason's 479 (10/23/82). He also holds three of the top-10 in total offense - 2nd, 503 vs. Minnesota; 4th, 461 vs. Minnesota; 7th, 431 at Michigan.
Williams has four career TD passes of 69 or more yards, the most by any quarterback in school history. Jack Trudeau and Tony Eason are the only other two Illini QBs to throw two TD passes of 69 or more yards and there have only been 15 such plays in school history.
Williams' 328 passing yards against Western Michigan marks his 10th game over 200 yards, fourth over 300 and he has posted two over 400.
Williams is averaging 15.2 yards per completion this season, with a high of 23.8 vs. Michigan. That average ranks third in the nation behind David Johnson of Tulsa (17.3) and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma (15.6).
Williams has rushed for over 100 yards six times in his career and twice this season.
Williams' leads the Big Ten and ranks 21st in the NCAA in passing efficiency with 141.9 for the season, which is on pace to break the Illinois single-season record in the category. His quarterback efficiency against Indiana was 221.20, the sixth-best single-game rating in school history.
Williams' 77-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland against Michigan was the longest play from scrimmage this season for the Illini and the longest Illinois reception since 1985, when Cap Boso caught an 83-yarder from Jack Trudeau.
Williams has put together three perfect passing quarters this season, the latest being a 5-for-5 third-quarter outing for 47 yards against Indiana. He was 4-of-4 through the air for 68 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter at Penn State and completed 5-of-5 passes for 67 yards in the third quarter against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 6.
Williams became just the fourth quarterback in Illinois history to throw for five or more touchdowns in a game, joining Dave Wilson (6), Tom O'Connell (5) and Jeff George (5) with his five-touchdown performance against Missouri.
Williams has accounted for 74.3 percent of Illinois' first downs for the season, 150-of-202, rushing for 32 and passing for 118. He engineered 92.9 percent of the Illinos' first downs vs. Iowa, 92.0 percent vs. Minnesota and 91.7 percent vs. Missouri.
2nd - season total offense (3,346) - 325 for first
3rd - career total offense (7,909) - 731 for 2nd
14th - career rushing yards (1,908) - needs 150 for 13th
5th - career passing yardage (6,001) - 1,030 for 4th
7th - career pass completions (438) - needs 24 for 6th
5th - career pass attempts (847) - needs 64 for 4th
3rd - career passing touchdowns (42) - needs 13 for 2nd
5th - season passing touchdowns (20) - needs 1 for 4th / 2 for 3rd
1st - career rushing yards by a quarterback (1,908)
1st - season rushing yards by a quarterback, 2007 (755) - already holds record
2nd - season rushing yards by a quarterback, 2008 (577) - needs 178 yards for 1st
3rd - season rushing yards by a quarterback, 2006 (576) - record was broken in 2007
BENN THERE
Illini receiver Arrelious Benn is a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's best receiver.
Benn is leading the Big Ten in receiving yardage with 94.7 yards per game, and his 114 yards per conference game is 41 yards better than the second-ranked player. He has scored five touchdowns - two rushing and three receiving.
Benn is averaging 6.0 catches per game, which is the most for an Illini receiver since Brandon Lloyd averaged 6.2 catches per contest in 2002. That number ranks second in the Big Ten.
Benn has five 100-yard receiving games this season. He recorded four straight earlier this year (4-110 at Penn State, 6-122 at Michigan, 12-181 vs. Minnesota, 7-130 vs. Indiana). It was the first time an Illinois player has put together four consecutive 100-yard receiving games in school history. He also has recorded 90 yards or more on seven occasions this year.
With two catches vs. Wisconsin, Benn reached the 100-reception mark for his career, the first time an Illini has reached the milestone since the trio of receivers in 2002 (Greg Lewis, Walter Young and Brandon Lloyd).
Benn had a career day against Minnesota, compiling a career-high 12 catches for 181 yards, which marked the fifth-most receiving yards in a game in Illinois history. His 181 yards were the most by an Illini since David Williams racked up a school-record 208 yards on Sept. 1, 1984.
Benn's 12 catches against Minnesota marked the the third-most in school history and were the most by an Illini since Brandon Lloyd caught 13 passes against Northwestern on Nov. 22, 2001.
Benn has converted first downs on 47 of his 60 catches (78.3 percent) and is a near-perfect 12-for-13 converting on third downs (93.7).
Benn was the 2007 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned honorable mention Freshman All-America honors after he broke Illinois' freshman receiving and receptions record.
Senior Brit Miller, a four-year starter at linebacker, leads the Big Ten in tackles through 10 games with 11.0 per game, which is fifth nationally.
Miller posted his first 100-tackle season after his 17-tackle performance against Western Michigan.
Miller also is averaging 1.6 tackles for loss per game, which ranks ninth in the NCAA.
Miller earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after his performance at Michigan. He recorded nine tackles, four for loss and two sacks. The four tackles for loss ranked 10th in the Illinois record book.
Miller scored his first defensive touchdown when he stripped Louisiana-Lafayette's quarterback and returned it 27 yards for the score.
Miller has 33 tackles for loss in his career, making him ninth on the Illinois top-10 list. Miller set a career high in tackles with 17 vs. Western Michigan, besting his previous high of 16 vs. Wisconsin earlier in 2008.
Miller is nominated for the Ronnie Lott Award, which combines athletic excellence with off-the-field character. He also was named to the American Football Coaches Association's Good Works team. Miller is a staple in the Champaign and Decatur communities, volunteering every week with elementary and middle schools, military veterans and children's hospitals.
RECEPTION STREAKS
Sophomore receiver Arrelious Benn has caught a pass in every game of his career, 23, since he was a true-freshman in 2007. He leads a group of receivers that is averaging of 18.3 catches per game. Here is a list of the receivers and their current reception streaks (2 or more games):
Illinois defenders Vontae and Will Davis (no relation) are two of the leaders on the Illinois defense.
Vontae, a two-year starting cornerback earned unanimous first-team Freshman All-America honors in 2006 and emerged as one of the best corners in the Big Ten last season, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. He is a 2008 Playboy All-American, ranks 19th in the Big Ten in tackles, has totaled six interceptions and 21 passes broken up in his career, while also blocking two punts.
Will, a senior defensive end, exploded last season with 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He was named second-team All-Big Ten and was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his four-sack, five-TFL performance vs. Indiana. This season, he broke into the Illinois all-time quarterback sack list and ranks ninth with 15 career sacks. He has totaled 32 tackles, seven for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble this year.
ILLINI ON THE RUN
The Illini offense rushed for 292 yards against Indiana, marking the second time this season they have surpassed the 200-yard mark in a game (399 vs. Eastern Illinois, 292 vs. Indiana).
QB Juice Williams and RB Daniel Dufrene combine for 123.9 rushing yards per game with 1,048 total yards this year. Dufrene ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 67.4 yards and Williams is rushing for 56.6 ypg, which is 12th in the conference.
With 121 yards against Michigan, Williams rushed for over 100 yards for the sixth time in his career and second time this season. He ranks 15th on the Illinois all-time rushing list with 1,840 yards.
True-freshman running back Jason Ford broke out against Indiana, rushing for 172 yards and three touchdowns. His yards are the second-most by a freshman at Illinois behind Rocky Harvey's 215 against Middle Tennessee in 1998. They are the most by an Illini freshman against a Big Ten team.
NATIONAL CONSECUTIVE STARTS
Illinois senior center Ryan McDonald has started 46 consecutive games during his four-year career. That number is among the best in the nation, ranking as the fourth-longest active streak. It ranks as the fourth-best in Illinois history and with starts in the final two games of the regular season, McDonald will tie Tim Simpson with the school record.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Illinois has scored 40 points or more four times in 2008 - 55 vs. Indiana, 45 at Michigan, 47 vs. Eastern Illinois and 42 against Missouri. The 55-point game vs. Indiana is the highest in the Ron Zook era at Illinois and the third-most by a Ron Zook-coached team (65 and 63 by Florida).
Illinois' 55 points scored against Indiana are the most Illinois has ever scored in a Big Ten game at Memorial Stadium (previous high was 50 in a 50-0 shutout over Iowa in 1973) and the most points the UI has scored in a conference game since winning at Northwestern, 63-14, in 1989.
Illinois scored 45 points against Michigan, the most the Illini have put up against the Wolverines in school history, and the most points against Michigan in the Big House since 1991 when Florida State scored 51. It also was the most points scored by a Big Ten opponent at Michigan Stadium since Ohio State won, 50-20, in 1961.
The Illinois offense has put up over 500 yards in five of its 10 games of 2008. The Illini posted 532 against Missouri, 533 against EIU, 501 at Michigan, 550 vs. Minnesota and 563 against Indiana. It was the first time since 2002 that the Illini have had 500 yards or more in three consecutive games.
The Illini passed for 451 yards against Missouri and 462 yards vs. Minnesota, marking the third-and fourth-best passing performances in Illinois history.
In 10 games, the offense has put together 59 big plays over 20 yards, including 17 over 40 yards. Among those 55 are 39 big passing plays and 15 rushes (three special teams and two defense). Illinois has six touchdowns this season on plays of more than 50 yards, which ranks fourth nationally.
Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui is emerging as a first-down machine. Out of his 21 catches so far this season, 17 have gone for first downs and two others were touchdowns. Hoomanawanui has become a much larger part of the Illinois offense in his third season, with 21 catches and 278 yards so far in 2008 after catching just five passes for 64 yards in his first two seasons combined.
Senior receiver Will Judson made the most out of his first collegiate start vs. Missouri, hauling in five catches for 177 yards. Of his 20 catches for the year, 13 have converted first downs.
Judson and Chris Duvalt each hauled in two touchdown receptions in the season opener against Missouri, marking the first time since the 2002 Sugar Bowl that Illinois had two receivers with two TDs catches in a game (Walter Young and Brandon Lloyd vs. LSU).
The 94 total points scored by Missouri and Illinois (52-42) marks the highest combined scoring game in school history.
Dere Hicks nearly had two touchdowns in the last two weeks. The junior cornerback stripped Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi and recovered the funmble for a touchdown Nov. 1; he also intercepted Western Michigan's Tim Hiller and took it into the endzone Nov. 8, however that effort was negated by a penalry.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
The Fighting Illini defense leads the Big Ten in quarterback sacks with 32 (3.2 per game). The Illini have posted double-digit tackles for loss numbers in three games this year, racking up 11 tackles for loss against Mchigan and Louisiana-Lafayette and 10 vs. Iowa. Five times this year the Illini have posted four or more sacks (against Wisconsin, Michigan, Eastern Illinois, Indiana and Iowa).
The defensive line features a rotation of nine players with those guys accounting for 39.5 tackles for loss and 20 sacks through 10 games. Ends Derek Walker, Doug Pilcher and Will Davis and tackle David Lindquist are veteran returning starters. From those four, the Illini defense has gotten 114 tackles, 27.5 for loss and 16 sacks this season. 4 The Illinois defense has held opponent offenses on 7-of-12 fourth-down attempts for the season.
Illinois has scored three defensive touchdowns this year. In the season opener against Missouri, Derek Walker intercepted a screen pass by Chase Daniel and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. The defense scored its second touchdown of the season, against Louisiana-Lafayette, when linebacker Brit Miller stripped an option handoff from Louisiana's quarterback and returned it 27 yards for the score. The third came against Iowa with cornerback Dere Hicks' sack, forced fumble and seven-yard return for a touchdown.
The defense has forced 18 turnovers this season - five interceptions and 13 fumbles. DE Derek Walker, LB?Brit Miller and DBs Dere Hicks, Donsay Hardeman and Vontae Davis each have one interception, and 10 different Illini players have recovered fumbles for Illinois this year. Illinois' aggressive defense has forced a whopping 18 fumbles in nine games, falling on 13 of them. The Fighting Illini have surpassed last year's eight fumbles recovered (forced 19).
Junior college transfer safety Donsay Hardeman returned from an injury, which kept him out of the first three games of the season, to start in the Big Ten opener against Penn State. In seven games, he has recorded 37 tackles, including 25 solos, one interception, a tackle for loss and has forced and recovered a fumble.
RUN DEFENSE
The Illini defense is allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and has held four teams under 100 yards rushing this season, including Louisiana-Lafayette, who currently ranks third the nation in rushing with 289 yards per game. The Illini kept the Ragin' Cajuns under 100 with 87 yards and star running back Tyrell Fenroy to just 20 yards (now ranks fifth in the nation with 130 ypg).
Michigan averaged 2.0 yards per carry on the ground for 69 total rushing yards in the game, Minnesota managed just 88 yards, 2.7 yards per carry, and Western Michigan mustered a mere 2.3 yards per run and 64 yards on the ground. Despite Wisconsin's 163 yards on the ground, the Badgers averaged just 3.6 yards per rush and Iowa posted just 3.5 yards per carry.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
True-freshman receiver A.J. Jenkins has quickly emerged as a solid kick returner and recorded his first touchdown with a 96-yard return against Indiana. With many of the teams kicking away from Arrelious Benn, Jenkins has picked up 18 returns in 10 games. He is averaging 24.4 yards per return, which ranks fifth in the league and 43rd in the nation.
Jenkins and Arrelious Benn put together back-to-back games with kickoff returns of over 60 yards with Jenkins' 96-yarder vs. Indiana and Benn's 63-yarder at Wisconsin.
Illinois features a freshman kicker, Matt Eller. Eller, in 10 games, has been successful on 12 field goals, including a 51-yarder vs. ULL, and 36-of-38 extra points. Eller leads the team in scoring and ranks ninth in the league with 7.2 points per game.
Eller kicked a 46-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining to seal the victory against Iowa. It marked Illinois' first game-winning field goal in the final minute since Jason Reda hit a 39-yarder with six seconds left at Michigan State on Sept. 30, 2006, for a 23-20 win and the first at Memorial Stadium since 1991.
Defensive end Will Davis blocked a field goal attempt at Michigan. It was Illinois' first blocked field goal since 2005 when Chris Norwell blocked one against California on Sept. 17.
POSITION CHANGES
Five of Illinois' 2008 starters came to Illinois on a different path than the one they currently find themselves.
Wide receiver Chris Duvalt spent his first two seasons as an Illini at cornerback. He played a key role on special teams, but was spending too much time behind other players. This spring, he gave offense a try and the rest is history. He made an impact with three touchdown catches. He is averaging 14.9 yards a catch.
Junior Rahkeem Smith played a season as a linebacker before seeing a straight shot to a starting role at fullback.
Senior Will Davis came to Illinois as a 235-pound tight end, but quickly saw a chance at success on the defensive side of the ball with his addition of 40 pounds and a move to defensive end. In four seasons, he has totaled 23.5 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback sacks and 19 hurries.
One of the most immediately effective moves came before the 2007 season when former defensive end Xavier Fulton switched to offensive tackle and earned All-Big Ten honors that same season. In his only year as a starter, the offensive line set new school records for total offense and rushing yards. This season, the Illini are curently ranked No. 1 in the conference in passing and in total offense.
Jeff Cumberland moved from tight end to receiver in the middle of last season. As a receiver in his final four games of 2007, he caught 11 passes for 221 yards, including 131 yards against Northwestern. He has played in seven games this season after sitting out the beginning of the year with a foot injury. He caught his first pass of the season against Michigan, a 77-yard touchdown reception, the longest play from scrimmage in 2008 and the longest pass play since 1983. After eight games played, Cumberland has 12 catches for 270 yards and three touchdowns.
ILLINI IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Illinois dropped out of the top-25 after being ranked for the first five weeks of the season. Before falling to undefeated No. 3 Penn State, the Illini had spent seven consecutive weeks in the polls, dating back to the 2007 season. That number was the most since the 1989, '90 and '91 squads put together 24 consecutive weeks in the top-25 and ranked as the fourth-longest streak in Illinois history.
HE'S A ROCKET SCIENTIST
Maybe you don't have to be a rocket scientist to play football, but Illinois senior center Ryan McDonald thinks it doesn't hurt. In four years, McDonald finished an undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering with a 3.83 GPA. After completing a bachelor's degree and having one more year of eligibility remaining, McDonald began a master's degree in the same program this fall. Illinois' College of Engineering is ranked among the top-5 in the nation, with some programs notching the top spot.
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 (Chief of Staff). 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.
HOOMANAWANUI HONORING HIS POLYNESIAN DECENT
Junior tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, while growing up in Bloomington, Ill., lived much of the Hawaiian heritage passed down by his father, Isy. Isy came to the mainland to play football at Illinois State then stayed to raise his family.
When Michael came to Illinois, he began many of the traditions carried on by Polynesian and Samoan football players. He entered his freshman year with clean-cut short hair, but then began to grow it out to the long black mane that can be seen out the backs of football helmets. This tradition dates back to Samoan warriors to signify battle. It also is very noticeable to the public in the stands and draws attention to their heritage.
Hoomanamwanui also has three tattoos, called Aumakua, which means "protectors." His family's protectors are the shark and the turtle, two images that have been passed down for centuries and are now tattoos on Michael's arms and shoulders.
Michael also can be seen on campus wearing what looks to be a brightly adorned skirt. However, it is called a kikepa and is traditional dress for men in Hawaii.
BO KNOWS FOOTBALL ... AND BASEBALL
Sophomore safety Bo Flowers turned 24 the day after Illinois' upset of Ohio State last season and he is the oldest player on the Illini roster. Flowers began his college career last 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.
AFRICAN ILLINI
On this year's Illini football roster, there are five members who are direct descendents of Africa. Starting left guard Jon Asamoah's father, Samual Asamoah, is from Ghana in West Africa, and senior defensive end Will Davis' mother is from Liberia (see note on page 5), while four others' parents are Nigerian. Newcomers Supo Sanni, Ugochukwu Uzodinma, Chudi Aguanunu and Wisdom Onyegbule's parents were born and raised in Nigeria, also in West Africa. Sanni's parents are Sesis and Olarunji Sanni, Uzodinma's parents are Florence and Joel Uzodinma, Aguanunu's parents are Chika and Kate Aguanunu, and Onyegbule's parents are Onyemuwa and Grace Onyegbule.
TV SHOW GETS OVERHAUL
The 2008 edition of the Ron Zook TV Show has seen a complete overhaul. Not only can it be seen on a brand-new network, WICD/WICS, but it sports a format unlike any other coaches' show. The Ron Zook Show features the latest and best in graphics and creative video. Each week, Zook and the show's host Brian Barnhart will discuss the previous week's game, issues in college football and the current Illini team in a Sportscenter-like format. The show begins with a recap of the game and ends with a quick-hitting music video. This year's show is sponsored by Dish Network.
