2008 Illinois Fighting Illini Additional Information

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

2008 Illinois Additional Information

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
Coach's Site - CoachRonZook.com
Official School Bio - Ron Zook

Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Mike Locksley - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Reggie Mitchell - Asst Head Coach/Recruiting/Running Backs
Dan Disch - LB Coach/Co-Def. Coordinator
Curt Mallory - DB Coach; Co-Def. Coordinator
Tom Sims - Defensive Line Coach
Eric Wolford - Run-Game Coordinator/Offensive Line
Mike Woodford - Special Teams Coordinator
Kurt Beathard - Outside Receivers Coach
Lou Hernandez - Strength & Conditioning Coach
Jim Pry - Inside Receivers Coach
Greg Bruner - Video Director
Trent Chesnut - Head Football Equipment Manager
Joe Cross - Academic Counselor
Byron Cunningham - Co-Head Football Athletic Trainer
Mike Degory - Offense Graduate Assistant
Daryl Dixon - Defense Graduate Assistant
J.B. Gerald - Quality Control
Kristin Kane - Academic Counselor
Adrian Melendez - Director of Football Operations
Eric Ramos - Quality Control
Nick Richey - Co-Head Football Athletic Trainer
Karla Suber - Academic Counselor
Annie White - Academic Counselor​

Recruiting

Starters Returning: 13 (Offense 6, Defense 6, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Returning: 44 (Offense 21, Defense 21, Special Teams 2)
Notable Returners:
Juice Williams QB, Arrelious Benn WR, Will Davis DE, Vontae Davis CB

Starters Lost: 11 (Offense 5, Defense 5, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Lost: 24 (Offense 12, Defense 10, Special Teams 2)
Notable Losses:
Rashard Mendenhall RB, Martin O'Donnell LG, J Leman LB, Jason Reda K​

Recruiting:

2009 Verbals
​

Lendell Buckner DT 6-3 341 - 5.8 Chicago, IL
Andrew Carter OL 6-4 264 4.8 5.6 Tallahassee, FL
Craig Drummond DE 6-5 260 - 5.9 Chicago, IL
Jake Feldmeyer OL 6-4 265 - 5.4 Centerville, OH
Greg Fuller RB 6-1 242 - 5.6 Harvey, IL
Bud Golden RB 6-0 191 4.4 5.8 Cincinnati, OH
Terry Hawthorne WR 6-0 168 4.5 6.0 East St. Louis, IL
Leon Hill OL 6-4 320 - 5.8 Chicago, IL
Tommie Hopkins DB 5-11 175 - 5.4 East St. Louis, IL
Steve Hull WR 6-2 176 4.5 5.4 Cincinnati, OH
Darryl Lee LB 6-2 215 4.52 5.3 St. Augustine, FL
Nathan Scheelhaase QB 6-3 184 4.53 5.8 Kansas City, MO
Hugh Thornton OL 6-5 285 5.13 5.7 Oberlin, OH
Joelil Thrash DB 6-0 181 4.4 5.4 Washington, DC

2008 Recruiting Class

Jeffery Allen OL 6-4 324 - 5.4 Chicago, IL
Jacob Charest QB 6-4 192 4.6 5.6 Matthews, NC
London Davis TE 6-4 255 - 5.6 Cahokia, IL
Russell Ellington LB 6-2 203 4.6 5.4 Homewood, IL
Reggie Ellis DT 6-2 278 5.09 5.8 Washington, DC
Jason Ford RB 5-10 209 4.42 5.7 Belleville, IL
Glenn Foster DE 6-4 223 - 5.7 Chicago, IL
Evan Frierson LB 6-2 217 4.6 5.1 Washington, DC
Hubie Graham TE 6-4 227 4.7 5.8 Scranton , PA
Donsay Hardeman DB 6-2 220 4.5 6.0 Milledgeville, GA
Alfred Jenkins WR 6-0 170 4.64 5.7 Jacksonville, FL
Mikel LeShoure RB 6-0 220 - 5.7 Champaign, IL
Corey Lewis OL 6-6 278 4.9 5.5 Cresco, PA
Corey Liuget DT 6-3 260 4.8 6.0 Hialeah, FL
Whitney Mercilus DE 6-3 225 4.6 5.5 Akron, OH
[strike]Patrick Nixon ATH 5-10 180 - 5.7 Jacksonville, FL [/strike]
Nate Palmer LB 6-3 228 - 5.6 Chicago, IL
Graham Pocic OL 6-7 316 5.4 5.8 Lemont, IL
Jack Ramsey ATH 5-11 182 - 5.7 Chicago, IL
Tyler Sands OL 6-5 290 5.2 5.7 Boyertown, PA
Supo Sanni LB 6-3 197 4.6 5.6 Homewood, IL
Cordale Scott WR 6-3 200 4.46 5.8 Cleveland, OH
Ryan Sedlacek OL 6-4 292 5.2 5.2 Westport, CT
Justin Staples LB 6-4 215 4.55 5.7 Lakewood, OH
Fred Sykes WR 6-0 175 - 5.5 Tampa, FL
Ugochukwu Uzodinma DE 6-4 240 4.62 5.2 Washington, DC
Ashante Williams DB 5-10 191 4.53 5.2 Mayfield, OH
Tavon Wilson DB 6-0 179 4.5 5.5 Washington, DC

2007 recruiting Class

Daryle Ballew DT 6-3 285 5.15 5.5 Cincinnati, OH
Arrelious Benn WR 6-1 210 4.45 6.1 Washington, D.C.
Josh Brent DT 6-3 280 - 5.9 Bloomington, IL
Nathan Bussey ATH 6-2 202 4.5 5.6 Washington, D.C.
Jack Cornell Jr. OL 6-5 291 5.33 5.7 Quincy, IL
Daniel Dufrene RB 5-11 205 4.45 5.6 Visalia, CA
Clarence "Bo" Flowers QB 6-2 220 Melrose Park, IL
[strike]Brian Gamble DB 5-11 185 4.65 5.6 Massillon, OH [/strike]
Mike Garrity OL 6-6 255 - 5.5 Batavia, IL
[strinke]Phil Haig QB 6-3 185 4.8 5.6 Inver Grove Heights, MN [/strike]
[strike]Deries Hodge RB 6-0 213 4.4 5.4 Harrisburg, PA [/strike]
[strike]Mark Jackson OL 6-6 312 5.1 5.8 Cincinnati, OH [/strike]
[strike]Steve Matas DE 6-5 270 4.7 5.5 Mentor, OH [/strike]
[strike]D'Angelo McCray DT 6-4 289 4.64 5.8 Jacksonville, FL [/strike]
[strike]Anthony Morris DB 6-3 200 - 5.8 Harvey, IL [/strike]
Troy Pollard RB 5-8 177 4.5 5.5 Jacksonville, FL
[strike]Darius Purcell DB 5-10 210 - 5.0 Chicago, IL [/strike]
[strike]Erique Robertson LB 5-10 207 4.55 5.5 Maple Heights, OH [/strike]
Ian Thomas LB 6-0 206 4.7 5.2 Berwyn Heights, MD
Marcus Thomas DB 5-11 157 4.5 5.5 Chicago, IL
Craig Wilson OL 6-7 290 5.2 6.0 Chatham, VA
Martez Wilson DE 6-4 230 4.58 6.1 Chicago, IL

2006 Recruiting Class

Jon Asamoah OL 6-5 250 - 5.4 Park Forest, IL
Travon Bellamy DB 6-0 178 4.4 5.5 Greenbelt, MD
Jerry Brown DE 6-4 262 4.8 5.5 St. Louis, MO
Jeff Cumberland ATH 6-4 220 4.59 5.8 Columbus, OH
Vontae Davis DB 6-0 184 4.4 5.6 Washington, D.C.
Chris Duvalt DB 5-10 159 4.38 5.8 Lakeland, FL
Garrett Edwards DB 6-2 192 - 5.6 Downers Grove, IL
Antonio Gully DB 6-0 175 4.5 5.4 St. Louis, MO
Dere Hicks DB 5-10 175 4.41 - Valley Forge, PA
Michael Hoomanawanui TE 6-5 230 - 5.5 Bloomington, IL
Randall Hunt OL 6-6 286 - - Wayne, PA
Anterio Jackson LB 6-2 240 - 5.5 Chicago, IL
Antonio James DE 6-5 245 4.8 5.5 Massillon, OH
Chris James WR 6-0 177 4.55 5.8 Chicago, IL
Dustin Jefferson LB 6-0 203 4.9 5.5 Kankakee, IL
[strike]Brandon Jordan OL 6-5 290 - 5.2 Merrillville, IN [/strike]
Eddie McGee QB 6-4 189 4.64 5.3 Washington, D.C.
[strike]Joe Morgan WR 6-2 175 4.4 5.3 Canton, OH [/strike]
Clay Nurse DE 6-3 235 4.8 5.2 Beltsville, MD
Ryan Palmer OL 6-6 274 5.1 5.2 Canton, OH
[strike]Justin Sanders DB 6-2 195 4.5 - Booneville, MS [/strike]
Rahkeem Smith LB 6-1 220 - - Hargrave Prep, Chatham, VA
[strike]Antonio Steele LB 6-2 215 4.55 - Long Beach, CA [/strike]
Marques Wilkins WR 6-0 182 4.69 5.8 Decatur, IL
Isiah Williams QB 6-2 207 4.77 5.9 Chicago, IL
Craig Wilson OL 6-5 290 - 5.5 Harvey, IL
Kyle Yelton K 6-1 180 4.65 5.1 Chesterton, IN

2005 Recruiting Class

[strike]Ismail Abdunafi DT 6-4 285 4.9 - Bakersfield, CA [/strike]
[strike]William Bergen OL 6-4 260 4.9 5.4 Tampa, FL [/strike]
[strike]Paul Blalock QB 6-0 190 - 5.5 Aurora, IL [/strike]
Eric Block OL 6-3 282 5.1 5.0 New Orleans, LA
[strike]Immanuel Chu DT 6-2 263 4.97 5.4 Woodstock, GA [/strike]
William Davis ATH 6-2 208 4.53 5.0 Greenbelt, MD
[strike]Guesly Dervil ATH 5-11 180 4.4 5.6 Jacksonville, FL [/strike]
[strike]Kyle Hudson WR 5-11 149 4.4 5.3 Mattoon, IL [/strike]
[strike]Gregory McClendon WR 6-2 207 4.72 5.1 Columbus, GA [/strike]
[strike]Derrick McPhearson WR 6-0 195 4.4 - Fork Union, VA [/strike]
[strike]Rashard Mendenhall RB 6-0 190 4.5 5.9 Skokie, IL [/strike]
Brit Miller LB 6-1 230 - 5.5 Decatur, IL
Michael Nabolotny TE 6-6 240 - 5.3 Glenview, IL
Doug Pilcher DE 6-5 230 - 5.6 Hinsdale, IL
Rodney Pittman DE 6-2 190 4.69 5.0 Fort Washington, MD
[strike]Sam Porter DE 6-1 221 4.6 5.6 Chicago, IL [/strike]
[strike]Trevor Scott OL 6-3 269 5.17 5.1 Fort Valley, GA [/strike]
[strike]Rahkeem Smith LB 6-1 213 4.69 5.5 Villa Park, IL [/strike]
[strike]Tremayne Walker DT 6-3 285 - 5.3 Tallahassee, FL [/strike]
Sirod Williams DE 6-0 226 4.5 5.4 Garfield Heights, OH
​

Behind the Numbers

Random Numbers from the Passing Scene
​

2 : The number of Big Ten games that Ohio State's Seniors have played while not in control of their own destiny for at least a share of the Big Ten Title.

2 : The number of passes that both Troy Smith and Terrelle Pryor attempted in the 2nd game in which they attempted a pass for the Buckeyes. Zero completions both times.

2 : Consecutive years for Buckeye Quarterbacks eclipsing a rating of 250 vs. Northwestern



2 : The number of passing performances that Ohio State's Seniors have witnessed (by Buckeye Starting QBs) that exceeded Terrelle Pryor's rating of 253.200 last Saturday.

• 265.971 by Todd Boeckman vs. Northwestern, 9/22/07
• 272.107 by Troy Smith vs. Michigan State, 10/15/05
  • Those who are 5th Year Seniors did witness Troy's debut against Cincinnati on 9/4/04, in which he was 2/3 for 29 yards and a touchdown. That's a rating of 257.867. He did not start the game however.

Oh by the way... The two games that Ohio State played while not in control of their own Big Ten destiny...

• Northwestern '08 - site of TP's 253.200 rating
• Michigan State '05 - site of TS's 272.107 masterpiece

Back to Random Numbers from the Passing Scene




2 : Consecutive passing performances vs. Illinois earning a passer rating of 87

• 11/4/06 - TS, 87.270
• 11/10/07 - TB, 87.409

Both performances followed a solid performance, but one that caused a slight dip in passer rating. Neither quarterback was able to get his rating back to its pre-Illinois level.
​

TP has already bucked this trend. TS and TB posted their worst passer rating in 4 weeks immediately before the Illinois melt-down. TP put up the best passer rating of his career last Saturday. And another rise in his season rating could be in the offing.
​

2 : The number of Big Ten teams against which Juice Williams had a passer rating greater than 100 in his Freshman season

2 : The number of Big Ten teams Terrelle Pryor has yet to play in his Freshman season (he already has a passer rating greater than 120 against the 6 he has played)

2 : The number of Big Ten teams against which Juice Williams has failed to garner a passer rating greater than 120 THIS SEASON. And they are the two he has played most recently. And they don't count the 104.116 rating vs. Western Michigan last week.

Random Numbers from the Passing Scene not Seen on TP's Jersey

5 : The number of interceptions that Illinois has snagged this season

5 : The number of teams that have snagged fewer (out of 119 FBS schools)

5 : The number of interceptions Ohio State has thrown this year (3 by TP)

8 : The number of teams that have thrown fewer than 5 (out of 119 FBS schools)


Illinois will try very hard to buck this trend, but it says here that TP's passes will be touching scarlet numbers only this week.


13 : The number of interceptions the Buckeyes have snagged this year

14 : The number of teams that have snagged more (out of 119 FBS schools)

14 : The number of interceptions thrown by Illinois this year (all by Juice Williams)

11 : The number of teams that have thrown more (out of 119 FBS schools)


Here's another trend that Illinois will try to buck. Good luck Juice. You'll need it.

Random Numbers to Brighten Your Day

Record of OSU's last 3 opponents: 25-6
Record of Illinois' last 3 opponents: 19-11 (and 8-2 of that is Western Michigan)

Which makes these numbers all the more curious...

Terrelle Pryor interceptions, last 3 games: 1
Juice Williams interceptions, last 3 games: 7

All of this brings one obvious question to mind: How's the weather?

High Temperature for the game on Saturday: 41 degrees F

Revenge and Champaign - Both will be served... cold.
​

The Lighter Side

Under Jim Tressel, Ohio State fans, are often accustomed to seeing the following:
​

One foot on the gas, the other on the brake as the game goes along. Need a TD? A little more with the right foot.... Up by 21? OK, let's use a little of the left foot. Don't want to make anyone look foolish.

But, against Northwestern since a 2004 loss in Evanston Tressel's been more like this:

Proof? You're up 31-10 and you've just been stuffed for no gain on 3rd and two. There is just about 9:00 to play in the game and you're at your own 41. Against Penn State, or Michigan, or just about everyone, you just punt away, right? Especially if you're Jim Tressel, right? So, what does he call? Fake punt. 1st down. Tack on a 15 yard penalty. Next play? A cautious run, burn up some more clock, right? After all, all you were doing in running the fake was trying to burn more clock, right? Next play: 34 yard TD pass. That's right. TD PASS.

Thus, while the cameras showed Tressel grimace when Daniel "Boom" Herron ran for 16 yards and a score with only seconds remaining in a 38-10 ball-game (to that point), we can be reasonably sure the grimace was more for show.

Maybe next time, Wildcats.... Maybe next time..... (Yeah... right.)​

Which brings us to this week's contest against Illinois. While we can be reasonably sure that Tressel's treatment of Northwestern recently is based on the 2004 result, we now also have to wonder what might be in store for the Fighting Illini. As you are no doubt aware, Illinois not only gave the 2006 Buckeyes a tighter than expected game (17-10), but they came to the 'Shoe in 2007 and knocked off #1 Ohio State 21-28. Now, true the Buckeyes ended up ranked #1 in the final BCS Poll and the loss did not truly end up costing the Buckeyes anything, but we have to wonder if Tressel is getting more than a little sick of Illinois.​

In the Tressel Era, Illinois has been one of those teams out there that just sorta "is." Sometimes they're better than you (2001), but most of the time, they're not. Beating the Illini 40-2 (2005), 23-16 (OT)(2002), or 17-10 (2006) feels the same - except for what might be on the line - a shot at the National Title (2002, 2006). True? I mean, the loss to Illinois last season doesn't really feel like anything does it? As said above, sure a loss sucks, but we still saw Ohio State make the Championship game, so who cares really? Besides, with the exception of the 2005-2006 wins, the next game on the schedule was Michigan (In 05 and 06 the Illinois contest was followed by Northwestern games before the Michigan finale), so - again - who really cared about the Fighting Carrots? ​

Get in. Get a W. Get out. ​

But, considering 2006, and especially considering 2007, I'm guessing Tressel may have a little more lead in his foot come Saturday than usual. Probably not the same sort of NHRA type lead in the foot he reserves for Northwestern. I'd expect more like this:​

In other words, a NASCAR-esque "Well, I guess I do at least need a top 10 finish to clinch the points race" sort of lead foot. ​

Oh, and by the way.... In case you missed it, Michigan sucks. But, more on that next week.​

Traditions & Opponent Perspective

The Fighting Illini are very rich with traditions, old and new.

• Illinois hosted its first-ever home game Nov. 26, 1890.
• 
  [*]One of the most dramatic and dignified traditions in college athletics is the performance of Chief Illiniwek (pronounced "ill-EYE-nih-wek".) Since 1926, this symbol has stirred pride and respect in audiences at Memorial Stadium. Illiniwek was the name of the loose confederation of Algonquin tribes that once lived in the region. The French changed the ending to "ois" in naming what became the state of Illinois. Illiniwek means "they are men" (insert grunting noises here).
• Chief Illiniwek, the controversial former mascot banned in February 2007 because of racial insensitivity, will make a comeback Saturday. Wearing buckskin, beads and turkey feathers, the mascot will dance in Assembly Hall. A students group, Students for Chief Illiniwek, paid $4,500 to rent the hall and stage the showing after the football game. The event is not sponsored by the university. In 2005, the NCAA termed Chief a "hostile or abusive" mascot and banned the university from playing host to postseason events as long as the chief was used as a symbol.
• The Illini have 3 trophy games, they are as follows:
  1. "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 gave up the "Illibuck" trophy in 2002, but not without a fight as Illinois dropped a close 23-16 loss to the No. 2 Buckeyes in overtime in Champaign. The win for Ohio State sent the team to the national title game the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, which it won over Miami (Fla.). Ohio State held on to the trophy with a 40-2 win over Illinois in 2005, after a two-year hiatus off the schedule.
  ​
  
  2. The "Cannon," more accurately known as the Purdue Cannon, made its first trip to Champaign-Urbana in 1905 when a group of Purdue students brought it to fire after a Boilermaker victory. Purdue won the game, 29-0, but the Cannon was never fired. Illinois student Quincy Hall found the Cannon hidden near the old Illinois Field. Hall and a group of Delta Upsilon brothers confiscated the Cannon and held it until 1943 when they donated it as a symbol of the Illinois-Purdue rivalry. Tomahawk Service and Leadership honorary at Purdue and Illini Pride of Illinois maintain the trophy when the respective school has won it. The Cannon was last fired Nov. 4, 2001, at the Illinois football complex following the Illini victory. The Boilers won back the trophy in 2003 and have retained possession of it for the last three years following a 37-3 win over Illinois in 2005.
  
  3. The "Tomahawk." The story of the Illinois-Northwestern trophy dates back to 1945 when the staff members of the two student newspapers conceived the idea of a wooden Indian trophy, "Sweet Sioux." In September 1946, "Sweet Sioux" was stolen from a showcase at Northwestern. A Tomahawk Trophy was inaugurated in 1947 to replace the wooden Indian and has been used since. "Sweet Sioux" was found in 1948, but was discarded because of its bulk. The trophy has had a three-year residence in Evanston after three straight wins in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
  ​
  
  [*]Shortly after the University opened in 1868, a military band was organized. The military band became the Concert Band, and gave its first formal concert in 1890. The University of Illinois Bands of today are the top of a pyramid of university band organizations, both concert and marching, which regularly enroll more than 700 students. The marching band will perform pregame and halftime shows at all seven home football games this year, as well as selected road games. The unique style of the Marching Illini has become famous, representing a combination of past traditions and exciting innovations.
• For more than 90 years, the Illinois student cheering section known as "Block-I" has remained an innovative place of fun and excitement for young Illini Football fans. Beginning in 1910, Block-I was formed as a pep club for Illinois students at home games, providing entertainment and student interaction during Illinois athletic events. In 1924, Block-I took permanent residence in the east stands of Memorial Stadium and two years later, in 1926, became a visual staple among Memorial Stadium tradition with the performance of card stunts during the games by its members. From the 1950s to the '70s, a second Block-I performed in the west balcony of the stadium, mirroring the card stunts performed in the east stands. Beginning in 2004, Block-I merged with Illini Pride, the official student support group of all Illinois' 19 varsity sports.
• Block-I is comprised of students who value old Illini traditions while embracing new ones. They can still be found trampling to the beat of the Marching Illini's "William Tell Overture." During this song the students put their arms around one another and jump up and down. With the 2006 season marking its 96th year in existence, Block-I still remains the premier seating choice among students and a true example of Loyalty, Tradition, and Pride at Illinois.
  [*]The Chief performs the dance with the Marching Illini during a performance known as the Three-in-One. The dance has two main parts, the downfield dance and the solo dance. The Three-in-One consists of three traditional University of Illinois songs: "Pride of the Illini"; "March of the Illini"; and the Alma Mater, "Hail to the Orange". This celebrated tradition has been performed at the conclusion of virtually every halftime show in Memorial Stadium for nearly 75 years.
  
  [*]The Alma Mater, "Hail to the Orange", was written by H. R. Green and Harold V. Hill and is the third part of "Three-in-One". The Marching Illini sings "Hail to the Orange" a capella in four parts to close out the afternoon after marching back to the Harding Band Building following the game and at most formal concerts. The words are as follows:
  "Hail to the Orange, Hail to the Blue,
  ​
  Hail Alma Mater,
  Ever so true (so true).
  We love no other, so let our motto be
  Victory, Illinois, Varsity!"
  ​
  
  [*]After every score, the male cheerleaders do pushups that equal the score at that point in the game.
  [*]At the conclusion of their games there is a bell that is rung for each point scored during the game.

Historical Data

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL) Founded in 1867

Football 1st Season: 1890
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Constructed: 1923 (Rennovated in 2008)
Seating Capacity: 62,872
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Conference: Independent 1890, Illinois Intercollegiate Football League 1891-1895, Big Ten Conference since 1896
Colors: Orange and Blue
Mascot: Chief Illiniwek (yeah the NCAA says "None", we still say Chief Illiniwek)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 42 Big Ten Titles: 1910*, 1914, 1915*, 1918*, 1919, 1923*, 1927, 1928, 1946, 1951, 1953*, 1963, 1983, 1990*, 2001 (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 23 (18 different players as of 2007)
College Hall-of-Famers: 15
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 6 (Dick Butkus, Harold ?Red? Grange, George Halas, Bobby Mitchell, Ray Nitschke, Hugh ?Shorty? Ray)
Award Winners: 2 Butkus Awards, 1 Butkus Silver Ann., 1 Walter Camp COY, 1 CFHoF - Liberty Mutual COY, 1 Sammy Baugh Trophy, 2 Sporting News POY
National Championships: 4 Recognized National Championships - 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-13 years, Coaches-13 years​

Records

All Time: 555-507-49 (.522)
Bowl Games: 6-9-0 (.400) Most recently a 49-17 loss to USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 306-355-33 (.465)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 30-60-4 (.340) The most recent meeting was a 28-21 win over the Bucks in Columbus in 2007.
Coach's Reord: Ron Zook, 2005 to current, 18-28-0 (.391), Career mark of 41-42-0 (.494)

2007 Season: 9-4-0 (.692)
Sep 1 - L vs. Missouri, 34-40
Sep 8 - W vs. Western Ill, 21-0
Sep 15 - W at Syracuse, 41-20
Sep 22 - W at Indiana, 27-14
Sep 29 - W vs. Penn State, 27-20
Oct 6 - W vs. Wisconsin, 31-26
Oct 13 - L at Iowa, 6-10
Oct 20 - L vs. Michigan, 17-27
Oct 27 - W vs. Ball State, 28-17
Nov 3 - W at Minnesota, 44-17
Nov 10 - W at Ohio State, 28-21
Nov 17 - W vs. Northwestern, 41-22
Jan 1 - L at U-S-C, 17-49

2008 Schedule
Aug 30 - L at Missouri, 42-52
Sep 6 - W vs. Eastern Ill, 47-21
Sep 13 - W vs. UL Lafayette, 20-17
Sep 20 - Open
Sep 27 - L at Penn State, 24-38
Oct 4 - W at Michigan, 45-20
Oct 11 - L vs. Minnesota, 20-27
Oct 18 - W vs. Indiana, 55-13
Oct 25 - L at Wisconsin, 17-27
Nov 1 - W vs. Iowa, 27-24
Nov 8 - L at Western Mich, 17-23
Nov 15 - vs. Ohio State, 12:00 PM
Nov 22 - at Northwestern, 3:30 PM​

Links

Official Sites:
Official School Site - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Official Alumni Site - University of Illinois Alumni Association
Student Newspaper - Daily Illini
Official Athletic Site - Fighting Illini
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference

Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Inside Illini (Scout)
Message Boards - Orange & Blue News (Rivals)
Message Boards - Illinois (Sports-Boards)
Message Boards - Illinois Loyalty(Independent)
Message Boards - Illinois HQ(Independent)

Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers

Blog - Illini Talk
Blog - 4th & Blog (down page - The News-Gazette)
Blog - Mark Tupper (Decatur Herald & Review)
Blog - Ronler Ramblings
Blog - L.A. Seitz of Chicago
Blog - The Illini Report
Blog - Chicago & Illini Sports
Blog - Eye on the Illini (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Blog - The Chief Perspective
Blog - Illini Sports Page
Blog - DI Sports Wrapup (Daily Illini)

Local News Sources:
Chicago Tribune - Local News
Chicago Sun Times - Local News
Quad City Times - Local News
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Local News
Chicago Daily Herald - Local News
Decatur Herald-Review - Local News
The News-Gazette - Local News


Team Previews and Breakdowns:
Game Notes (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes
Game Notes (PDF) - Fighting Illini
2008 Roster - Fighting Illini
2008 Schedule - Fighting Illini
2008 News - Fighting Illini

2008 Stats - Fighting Illini
2007 Stats (PDF) - Big Ten
2007 Stats - Conf Only (PDF) - Big Ten
Team Breakdown (PDF) - Big Ten
2008 Spring Prospectus (PDF) - Big Ten
2008 Spring Game - Big Ten
2008 Preview - BigTen

2008 Fighting Illini Football Preview - CFN
2008 Fighting Illini Football Preview - Offense - CFN
2008 Fighting Illini Football Preview - Defense - CFN
2008 Fighting Illini Football Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2007 Fighting Illini Football Preview - CFN
2006 Fighting Illini Football Preview - CFN

2008 Fighting Illini PREVIEW - National Champs
2008 Fighting Illini PREVIEW - OZone
2008 Fighting Illini PREVIEW - BigTen-Fans
2008 Fighting Illini PREVIEW - Athlon
2008 Fighting Illini PREVIEW - The Sports Network
2008 Fighting Illini PREVIEW - Red Zone Report
2008 Fighting Illini PREVIEW - Football.com
Game Preview - The Sports Network
Game Matchup - NCAA Football
Game Matchup - The Ozone


Travel:
Parking & Event Guide - Fighting Illini
Visiting Team Guide (PDF) - Fighting Illini
Driving Directions - Fighting Illini

Big Ten:
2008 BigTen Prospectus (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Team Breakdowns (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Media Info(PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Composite Schedule (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Season in Review (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Overall Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Conference Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2008 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2008 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Schedules & Predictions - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Team Capsules - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Unit Rankings - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Season WrapUp - CFN
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CNN/Si
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2008 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
2008 BigTen Football Preview - MSNBC
​

BigTen Players of the Week

Week #1 - Aug. 30, 2008
Offense - QB Juice Williams, Illinois & QB Kellen Lewis, Indiana
Defense - LB Obi Ezeh, Michigan
Special Teams - P Stefan Demos, Northwestern

Week #2 - Sept. 6, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State & QB Adam Weber, Minnesota & RB Evan Royster, Penn State
Defense - DE Karl Klug, Iowa
Special Teams - FB Frank Halliburton, Purdue

Week #3 - Sept. 13, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - LB DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
Special Teams - PR Andy Brodell, Iowa

Week #4 - Sept. 20, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - DE Vince Browne, Northwestern & LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Special Teams - PK Amado Villarreal, Northwestern

Week #5 - Sept. 27, 2008
Offense - QB - C.J. Bach?r, Northwestern
Defense - DE - Brandon Graham, Michigan
Special Teams - KR - Derrick Williams, Penn State

Week #6 - Oct. 4, 2008
Offense - QB - Juice Williams, Illinois
Defense - LB - Brit Miller, Illinois
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State & K - Joel Monroe, Minnesota

Week #7 - Oct. 11, 2008
Offense - QB - Daryll Clark, Penn State
Defense - DE - Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota & DE - Aaron Maybin, Penn State
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State

Week #8 - Oct. 18, 2008
Offense - RB - Shonn Greene, Iowa
Defense - LB - Pat Angerer, Iowa
Special Teams - K - Kevin Kelly, Penn State

Week #9 - Nov. 1, 2008
Offense -
Defense -
Special Teams -

Week #10 - Oct. 25, 2008
Offense - RB - Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State & WR - David Gilreath, Wisconsin
Defense - S - Tyler Sash, Iowa
Special Teams - K - K.C. Lopata, Michigan
​

Preseason Rankings

8 - Atlanta Journal Constitution
10 - The Sporting News
11 - NBC
12 - Sure Fire Scouting
12 - Dallas Star-Telegram
12 - CBS Sportsline
14 - Southern Pigskin
16 - Athlon
16 - ESPN Blue Ribbon
18 - ESPN (June)
18 - Lindy's
18 - CFN
18 - Gold Sheet
18 - Rivals
18 - National Champs
19 - USA Today Coaches
19 - CSN
19 - SI (Mandel)
20 - AP
20 - Game Plan
21 - Playboy
21 - Southern College Sports
21 - Vegas Insider
22 - Jim Feist
23 - SI

​

Preseason Watch Lists

Lott Trophy - QUARTERFINALISTS - Brit Miller, ILL

Draddy Trophy - FINALISTS - Ryan McDonald, ILL

Biletnikoff Award - Arrelious Benn, ILL

Butkus Award - Martez Wilson, ILL

Walter Camp - Arrelious Benn, ILL

Ted Hendricks Award - Will Davis, ILL

John Mackey Award - Jeff Cumberland, ILL

Bronko Nagurski Trophy - Vontae Davis, ILL

Manning Award - Juice Williams, ILL

Outland Trophy - Xavier Fulton, ILL & Ryan McDonald, ILL

Rimington Trophy - Ryan McDonald, ILL

Jim Thorpe Award - Vontae Davis, ILL

Wuerffel Trophy - Ryan McDonald, ILL
​

BigTen Preseason Media Poll
1. Ohio State
2. Wisconsin
3. Illinois

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Chris "Beanie" Wells - Ohio State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - James Laurinaitis - Ohio State​

Link to 2008 Illinois Game Preview​

Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data