2010 Illinois Fighting Illini Additional Information
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Official School Bio- Ron Zook
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Paul Petrino - Offensive Coordinator
Dan Disch - Inside Linebackers
Ron West - Outside Linebackers
Joe Gilbert - Offensive Line
Keith Gilmore - Defensive Line
Greg Nord - Tight Ends
Vic Koenning - Defensive Coordinator
DeAndre Smith - Running Backs
Jeff Brohm - Quarterbacks
RecruitingAssistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Paul Petrino - Offensive Coordinator
Dan Disch - Inside Linebackers
Ron West - Outside Linebackers
Joe Gilbert - Offensive Line
Keith Gilmore - Defensive Line
Greg Nord - Tight Ends
Vic Koenning - Defensive Coordinator
DeAndre Smith - Running Backs
Jeff Brohm - Quarterbacks
Name Pos Height Weight - Hometown - Scout/Rivals rating
2011 Verbals Commitments
Scout.com - #53 overall class - 10-3*, 5-2*, 1-N/R - 2.56* average
Rivals.com - class unranked - 8-3*, 4-2*, 4-N/R - 2.25* average
Chris Boles OG 6-4 315 Toledo, OH - 3*/3*
Henry Dickinson LB 6-4 210 Memphis, TN - 2*/N-R
Tony Durkin OC 6-3 270 Tinley Park, IL - 3*/3*
Justin DuVernois P 6-1 190 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - N-R/N-R
Joshua Ferguson RB 5-9 180 Joliet, IL - 3*/3*
Zeph Grimes S 6-0 200 Bamberg, SC - 3*/3*
Ted Karras OT 6-4 275 Indianapolis, IN - 2*/2*
Scott McDowell OT 6-5 265 Hinsdale, IL - 3*/2*
Marquise Mosely WR 6-4 205 Tyler, TX - 2*/2*
Chris O'Connor DE 6-5 235 Tinley Park, IL - 3*/3*
Reilly O'Toole QB 6-3 200 Wheaton, IL - 3*/3*
Daniel Rhodes TE 6-3 230 Charlotte, NC - 2*/N-R
JT Thornton CB 5-11 165 Belle Glade, FL - 2*/N-R
Clint Tucker DT 6-2 285 E. St. Louis, IL - 3*/3*
Hunter Wells OT 6-6 280 Canton, IL - 3*/2*
Carl Williams S 6-0 190 Jacksonville, FL - 3*/3*
2010 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #57 class - 1-4*, 8-3*, 13-2* - 2.45* average
Rivals.com - class unranked - 1-4*, 12-3*, 9-2* - 2.64* average
Shawn Afryl OL 6-3 301 - Niles, IL - 3*/3*
Houston Bates DE 6-2 218 Covington, LA - 3*/3*
Jonathan Brown LB 6-1 225 Memphis, TN - 3*/3*
Simon Cvijanovic OT 6-5 280 Cleveland, OH - 2*/2*
Ean Days RB 5-11 187 Kingsland, GA - 2*/2*
Brandon Denmark DE 6-4 214 Tallahassee, FL - 2*/3*
Spencer Harris WR 6-3 185 Greenwood, AR - 2*/2*
Michael Heitz OL 6-6 257 - Table Grove, IL - 3*/3*
Trulon Henry S 6-1 225 Washington DC - 2*/2* - JUCO
Alex Hill C 6-4 315 Slidell, LA- 3*/3*
Jake Howe FB 6-3 260 McHenry, IL - 2*/2*
Ryan Lankford WR 6-0 157 Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*
Darius Millines WR 5-11 180 Delray Beach, FL - 3*/3*
Miles Osei QB 6-1 190 Mt. Prospect, IL - 2*/3*
Jay Prosch LB 6-2 245 Mobile, AL - 2*/2*
Austin Teitsma DE 6-3 235 Glen Ellyn, IL - 2*/2*
Earnest Thomas S 6-2 195 Orchard Lake, MI - 3*/3*
Chandler Whitmer QB 6-1 185 - Downers Grove, IL - 4*/4*
Anthony Williams TE 6-5 195 Virginia Beach, VA - 2*/2*
Evan Wilson TE 6-6 225 Woodstock, GA - 2*/3*
Mark Wilson LB 6-2 225 - Tallahassee, FL - 3*/3*
Dejazz Woods DE 6-3 214 Tampa, FL - 2*/2*
2009 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #35 class - 5-4*, 6-3*, 9-2* - 2.80* average
Rivals.com - #35 class - 7-4*, 8-3*, 5-2* - 3.10* average
Walter Aikens S 6-1 183 - Charlotte, NC - 2*/2*
Michael Buchanan DE 6-6 220 - Flossmoor, IL - 3*/4*
Lendell Buckner DT 6-3 341 - Chicago, IL - 4*/4*
Andrew Carter OL 6-4 264 - Tallahassee, FL - 4*/3*
Jake Feldmeyer OL 6-4 265 - Centerville, OH - 2*/2*
Greg Fuller RB 6-1 242 - Harvey, IL - 2*/3*
Bud Golden RB 6-0 191 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/4*
Justin Green CB 5-10 178 - Louisville, KY - 4*/4*
Aaron Gress LB 6-2 240 - Exeter, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO
Terry Hawthorne WR 6-0 168 - East St. Louis, IL - 4*/4*
[strike]Leon Hill OL 6-4 320 - Chicago, IL - 3*/4*[/strike]
Tommie Hopkins DB 5-11 175 - East St. Louis, IL - 3*/3*
Steve Hull WR 6-2 176 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
Tim Kynard DE 6-3 240 - Toledo, OH - 2*/2*
Justin Lattimore TE 6-3 215 - Tampa, FL - 2*/2*
Nathan Scheelhaase QB 6-3 184 - Kansas City, MO - 4*/4*
Akeem Spence DT 6-1 280 Ft. Walton Beach, FL - 2*/3*
Hugh Thornton OL 6-5 285 - Oberlin, OH - 2*/3*
Joelil Thrash DB 6-0 181 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*
[strike]Eric Watts LB 6-1 219 - Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*[/strike]
2008 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #19 class - 6-4*, 14-3*, 8-2* - 2.93* average
Rivals.com - #23 class - 6-4*, 16-3*, 6-2* - 3.00* average
Jeffery Allen OL 6-4 324 - Chicago, IL - 2*/2*
[strike]Jacob Charest QB 6-4 192 - Matthews, NC - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]London Davis TE 6-4 255 - Cahokia, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Russell Ellington LB 6-2 203 - Homewood, IL - 3*/2*
[strike]Reggie Ellis DT 6-2 278 - Washington, DC - 3*/4*[/strike]
Jason Ford RB 5-10 209 - Belleville, IL - 3*/3*
Glenn Foster DE 6-4 223 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Evan Frierson LB 6-2 217 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*
[strike]Hubie Graham TE 6-4 227 - Scranton , PA - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Donsay Hardeman DB 6-2 220 - Milledgeville, GA - 4*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
Alfred Jenkins WR 6-0 170 - Jacksonville, FL - 4*/3*
Mikel LeShoure RB 6-0 220 - Champaign, IL - 3*/3*
Corey Lewis OL 6-6 278 - Cresco, PA - 2*/3*
Corey Liuget DT 6-3 260 - Hialeah, FL - 4*/4*
Whitney Mercilus DE 6-3 225 - Akron, OH - 2*/3*
[strike]Patrick Nixon ATH 5-10 180 - Jacksonville, FL - 3*/3* [/strike]
Nate Palmer LB 6-3 228 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Graham Pocic OL 6-7 316 - Lemont, IL - 4*/4*
Jack Ramsey ATH 5-11 182 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Tyler Sands OL 6-5 290 - Boyertown, PA - 3*/3*
Supo Sanni LB 6-3 197 - Homewood, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Cordale Scott WR 6-3 200 - Cleveland, OH - 4*/4*[/strike]
Ryan Sedlacek OL 6-4 292 - Westport, CT - 2*/2*
Justin Staples LB 6-4 215 - Lakewood, OH - 3*/3*
Fred Sykes WR 6-0 175 - Tampa, FL - 2*/3*
[strike]Ugochukwu Uzodinma DE 6-4 240 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*[/strike]
Ashante Williams DB 5-10 191 - Mayfield, OH - 2*/2*
Tavon Wilson DB 6-0 179 - Washington, DC - 3*/3*
2007 recruiting Class
Scout.com - #20 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 8-3*, 6-2*, 1-N/A - 3.14* average
Rivals.com - #20 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 11-3*, 3-2*, 1-N/A - 3.29* average
Daryle Ballew DT 6-3 285 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
[strike]Arrelious Benn WR 6-1 210 - Washington, D.C. - 5*/5*[/strike]
[strike]Josh Brent DT 6-3 280 - Bloomington, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Nathan Bussey ATH 6-2 202 - Washington, D.C. - 3*/3*
Jack Cornell Jr. OL 6-5 291 - Quincy, IL - 4*/3*
[strike]Daniel Dufrene RB 5-11 205 - Visalia, CA - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Clarence "Bo" Flowers QB 6-2 220 - Melrose Park, IL - N-A/N-A[/strike]
[strike]Brian Gamble DB 5-11 185 - Massillon, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Mike Garrity OL 6-6 255 - Batavia, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Phil Haig QB 6-3 185 - Inver Grove Heights, MN - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Deries Hodge RB 6-0 213 - Harrisburg, PA - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Mark Jackson OL 6-6 312 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Steve Matas DE 6-5 270 - Mentor, OH - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]D'Angelo McCray DT 6-4 289 - Jacksonville, FL - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Anthony Morris DB 6-3 200 - Harvey, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Troy Pollard RB 5-8 177 - Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*
[strike]Darius Purcell DB 5-10 210 - Chicago, IL - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Erique Robertson LB 5-10 207 - Maple Heights, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
Ian Thomas LB 6-0 206 - Berwyn Heights, MD - 3*/2*
Marcus Thomas DB 5-11 157 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Craig Wilson OL 6-7 290 - Chatham, VA - 4*/4*
Martez Wilson DE 6-4 230 - Chicago, IL - 5*/5*
2006 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #28 class - 3-4*, 13-3*, 11-2* - 2.70* average
Rivals.com - #30 class - 6-4*, 12-3*, 9-2* - 2.89* average
[strike]Jon Asamoah OL 6-5 250 - Park Forest, IL - 2*/2*[/strike]
Travon Bellamy DB 6-0 178 - Greenbelt, MD - 3*/3*
[strike]Jerry Brown DE 6-4 262 - St. Louis, MO - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Jeff Cumberland ATH 6-4 220 - Columbus, OH - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Vontae Davis DB 6-0 184 - Washington, D.C. - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Chris Duvalt DB 5-10 159 - Lakeland, FL - 2*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Garrett Edwards DB 6-2 192 - Downers Grove, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Antonio Gully DB 6-0 175 - St. Louis, MO - 2*/2*
[strike]Dere Hicks DB 5-10 175 - Valley Forge, PA - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Michael Hoomanawanui TE 6-5 230 - Bloomington, IL - 2*/3*[/strike]
Randall Hunt OL 6-6 286 - Wayne, PA - 3*/3*
Anterio Jackson LB 6-2 240 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Antonio James DE 6-5 245 - Massillon, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
Chris James WR 6-0 177 - Chicago, IL - 3*/4*
Dustin Jefferson LB 6-0 203 - Kankakee, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Brandon Jordan OL 6-5 290 - Merrillville, IN - 2*/2*[/strike]
Eddie McGee QB 6-4 189 - Washington, D.C. - 2*/2*
[strike]Joe Morgan WR 6-2 175 - Canton, OH - 3*/2*[/strike]
Clay Nurse DE 6-3 235 - Beltsville, MD -2*/2*
Ryan Palmer OL 6-6 274 - Canton, OH - 2*/2*
[strike]Justin Sanders DB 6-2 - Booneville, MS - 2*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Rahkeem Smith LB 6-1 220 - Hargrave Prep, Chatham, VA - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Antonio Steele LB 6-2 215 - Long Beach, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Marques Wilkins WR 6-0 182 - Decatur, IL - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Isiah Williams QB 6-2 207 - Chicago, IL 4*/4*[/strike]
Craig Wilson OL 6-5 290 - Harvey, IL - 2*/3* - Prep - See 2006
[strike]Kyle Yelton K 6-1 180 4.65 - Chesterton, IN - 3*/2*[/strike]
Name Ht Wt - Hometown - Scout/Rivals rating
Bold indicates starter
[strike]No longer on roster[/strike]
Behind the NumbersScout.com - #53 overall class - 10-3*, 5-2*, 1-N/R - 2.56* average
Rivals.com - class unranked - 8-3*, 4-2*, 4-N/R - 2.25* average
Chris Boles OG 6-4 315 Toledo, OH - 3*/3*
Henry Dickinson LB 6-4 210 Memphis, TN - 2*/N-R
Tony Durkin OC 6-3 270 Tinley Park, IL - 3*/3*
Justin DuVernois P 6-1 190 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - N-R/N-R
Joshua Ferguson RB 5-9 180 Joliet, IL - 3*/3*
Zeph Grimes S 6-0 200 Bamberg, SC - 3*/3*
Ted Karras OT 6-4 275 Indianapolis, IN - 2*/2*
Scott McDowell OT 6-5 265 Hinsdale, IL - 3*/2*
Marquise Mosely WR 6-4 205 Tyler, TX - 2*/2*
Chris O'Connor DE 6-5 235 Tinley Park, IL - 3*/3*
Reilly O'Toole QB 6-3 200 Wheaton, IL - 3*/3*
Daniel Rhodes TE 6-3 230 Charlotte, NC - 2*/N-R
JT Thornton CB 5-11 165 Belle Glade, FL - 2*/N-R
Clint Tucker DT 6-2 285 E. St. Louis, IL - 3*/3*
Hunter Wells OT 6-6 280 Canton, IL - 3*/2*
Carl Williams S 6-0 190 Jacksonville, FL - 3*/3*
2010 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #57 class - 1-4*, 8-3*, 13-2* - 2.45* average
Rivals.com - class unranked - 1-4*, 12-3*, 9-2* - 2.64* average
Shawn Afryl OL 6-3 301 - Niles, IL - 3*/3*
Houston Bates DE 6-2 218 Covington, LA - 3*/3*
Jonathan Brown LB 6-1 225 Memphis, TN - 3*/3*
Simon Cvijanovic OT 6-5 280 Cleveland, OH - 2*/2*
Ean Days RB 5-11 187 Kingsland, GA - 2*/2*
Brandon Denmark DE 6-4 214 Tallahassee, FL - 2*/3*
Spencer Harris WR 6-3 185 Greenwood, AR - 2*/2*
Michael Heitz OL 6-6 257 - Table Grove, IL - 3*/3*
Trulon Henry S 6-1 225 Washington DC - 2*/2* - JUCO
Alex Hill C 6-4 315 Slidell, LA- 3*/3*
Jake Howe FB 6-3 260 McHenry, IL - 2*/2*
Ryan Lankford WR 6-0 157 Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*
Darius Millines WR 5-11 180 Delray Beach, FL - 3*/3*
Miles Osei QB 6-1 190 Mt. Prospect, IL - 2*/3*
Jay Prosch LB 6-2 245 Mobile, AL - 2*/2*
Austin Teitsma DE 6-3 235 Glen Ellyn, IL - 2*/2*
Earnest Thomas S 6-2 195 Orchard Lake, MI - 3*/3*
Chandler Whitmer QB 6-1 185 - Downers Grove, IL - 4*/4*
Anthony Williams TE 6-5 195 Virginia Beach, VA - 2*/2*
Evan Wilson TE 6-6 225 Woodstock, GA - 2*/3*
Mark Wilson LB 6-2 225 - Tallahassee, FL - 3*/3*
Dejazz Woods DE 6-3 214 Tampa, FL - 2*/2*
2009 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #35 class - 5-4*, 6-3*, 9-2* - 2.80* average
Rivals.com - #35 class - 7-4*, 8-3*, 5-2* - 3.10* average
Walter Aikens S 6-1 183 - Charlotte, NC - 2*/2*
Michael Buchanan DE 6-6 220 - Flossmoor, IL - 3*/4*
Lendell Buckner DT 6-3 341 - Chicago, IL - 4*/4*
Andrew Carter OL 6-4 264 - Tallahassee, FL - 4*/3*
Jake Feldmeyer OL 6-4 265 - Centerville, OH - 2*/2*
Greg Fuller RB 6-1 242 - Harvey, IL - 2*/3*
Bud Golden RB 6-0 191 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/4*
Justin Green CB 5-10 178 - Louisville, KY - 4*/4*
Aaron Gress LB 6-2 240 - Exeter, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO
Terry Hawthorne WR 6-0 168 - East St. Louis, IL - 4*/4*
[strike]Leon Hill OL 6-4 320 - Chicago, IL - 3*/4*[/strike]
Tommie Hopkins DB 5-11 175 - East St. Louis, IL - 3*/3*
Steve Hull WR 6-2 176 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
Tim Kynard DE 6-3 240 - Toledo, OH - 2*/2*
Justin Lattimore TE 6-3 215 - Tampa, FL - 2*/2*
Nathan Scheelhaase QB 6-3 184 - Kansas City, MO - 4*/4*
Akeem Spence DT 6-1 280 Ft. Walton Beach, FL - 2*/3*
Hugh Thornton OL 6-5 285 - Oberlin, OH - 2*/3*
Joelil Thrash DB 6-0 181 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*
[strike]Eric Watts LB 6-1 219 - Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*[/strike]
2008 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #19 class - 6-4*, 14-3*, 8-2* - 2.93* average
Rivals.com - #23 class - 6-4*, 16-3*, 6-2* - 3.00* average
Jeffery Allen OL 6-4 324 - Chicago, IL - 2*/2*
[strike]Jacob Charest QB 6-4 192 - Matthews, NC - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]London Davis TE 6-4 255 - Cahokia, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Russell Ellington LB 6-2 203 - Homewood, IL - 3*/2*
[strike]Reggie Ellis DT 6-2 278 - Washington, DC - 3*/4*[/strike]
Jason Ford RB 5-10 209 - Belleville, IL - 3*/3*
Glenn Foster DE 6-4 223 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Evan Frierson LB 6-2 217 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*
[strike]Hubie Graham TE 6-4 227 - Scranton , PA - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Donsay Hardeman DB 6-2 220 - Milledgeville, GA - 4*/4* - JUCO[/strike]
Alfred Jenkins WR 6-0 170 - Jacksonville, FL - 4*/3*
Mikel LeShoure RB 6-0 220 - Champaign, IL - 3*/3*
Corey Lewis OL 6-6 278 - Cresco, PA - 2*/3*
Corey Liuget DT 6-3 260 - Hialeah, FL - 4*/4*
Whitney Mercilus DE 6-3 225 - Akron, OH - 2*/3*
[strike]Patrick Nixon ATH 5-10 180 - Jacksonville, FL - 3*/3* [/strike]
Nate Palmer LB 6-3 228 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Graham Pocic OL 6-7 316 - Lemont, IL - 4*/4*
Jack Ramsey ATH 5-11 182 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Tyler Sands OL 6-5 290 - Boyertown, PA - 3*/3*
Supo Sanni LB 6-3 197 - Homewood, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Cordale Scott WR 6-3 200 - Cleveland, OH - 4*/4*[/strike]
Ryan Sedlacek OL 6-4 292 - Westport, CT - 2*/2*
Justin Staples LB 6-4 215 - Lakewood, OH - 3*/3*
Fred Sykes WR 6-0 175 - Tampa, FL - 2*/3*
[strike]Ugochukwu Uzodinma DE 6-4 240 - Washington, DC - 2*/2*[/strike]
Ashante Williams DB 5-10 191 - Mayfield, OH - 2*/2*
Tavon Wilson DB 6-0 179 - Washington, DC - 3*/3*
2007 recruiting Class
Scout.com - #20 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 8-3*, 6-2*, 1-N/A - 3.14* average
Rivals.com - #20 class - 2-5*, 5-4*, 11-3*, 3-2*, 1-N/A - 3.29* average
Daryle Ballew DT 6-3 285 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
[strike]Arrelious Benn WR 6-1 210 - Washington, D.C. - 5*/5*[/strike]
[strike]Josh Brent DT 6-3 280 - Bloomington, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Nathan Bussey ATH 6-2 202 - Washington, D.C. - 3*/3*
Jack Cornell Jr. OL 6-5 291 - Quincy, IL - 4*/3*
[strike]Daniel Dufrene RB 5-11 205 - Visalia, CA - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Clarence "Bo" Flowers QB 6-2 220 - Melrose Park, IL - N-A/N-A[/strike]
[strike]Brian Gamble DB 5-11 185 - Massillon, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Mike Garrity OL 6-6 255 - Batavia, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Phil Haig QB 6-3 185 - Inver Grove Heights, MN - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Deries Hodge RB 6-0 213 - Harrisburg, PA - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Mark Jackson OL 6-6 312 - Cincinnati, OH - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Steve Matas DE 6-5 270 - Mentor, OH - 2*/3*[/strike]
[strike]D'Angelo McCray DT 6-4 289 - Jacksonville, FL - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Anthony Morris DB 6-3 200 - Harvey, IL - 4*/4*[/strike]
Troy Pollard RB 5-8 177 - Jacksonville, FL - 2*/3*
[strike]Darius Purcell DB 5-10 210 - Chicago, IL - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Erique Robertson LB 5-10 207 - Maple Heights, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
Ian Thomas LB 6-0 206 - Berwyn Heights, MD - 3*/2*
Marcus Thomas DB 5-11 157 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
Craig Wilson OL 6-7 290 - Chatham, VA - 4*/4*
Martez Wilson DE 6-4 230 - Chicago, IL - 5*/5*
2006 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #28 class - 3-4*, 13-3*, 11-2* - 2.70* average
Rivals.com - #30 class - 6-4*, 12-3*, 9-2* - 2.89* average
[strike]Jon Asamoah OL 6-5 250 - Park Forest, IL - 2*/2*[/strike]
Travon Bellamy DB 6-0 178 - Greenbelt, MD - 3*/3*
[strike]Jerry Brown DE 6-4 262 - St. Louis, MO - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Jeff Cumberland ATH 6-4 220 - Columbus, OH - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Vontae Davis DB 6-0 184 - Washington, D.C. - 3*/3*[/strike]
[strike]Chris Duvalt DB 5-10 159 - Lakeland, FL - 2*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Garrett Edwards DB 6-2 192 - Downers Grove, IL - 3*/3*[/strike]
Antonio Gully DB 6-0 175 - St. Louis, MO - 2*/2*
[strike]Dere Hicks DB 5-10 175 - Valley Forge, PA - 2*/2*[/strike]
[strike]Michael Hoomanawanui TE 6-5 230 - Bloomington, IL - 2*/3*[/strike]
Randall Hunt OL 6-6 286 - Wayne, PA - 3*/3*
Anterio Jackson LB 6-2 240 - Chicago, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Antonio James DE 6-5 245 - Massillon, OH - 3*/3*[/strike]
Chris James WR 6-0 177 - Chicago, IL - 3*/4*
Dustin Jefferson LB 6-0 203 - Kankakee, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Brandon Jordan OL 6-5 290 - Merrillville, IN - 2*/2*[/strike]
Eddie McGee QB 6-4 189 - Washington, D.C. - 2*/2*
[strike]Joe Morgan WR 6-2 175 - Canton, OH - 3*/2*[/strike]
Clay Nurse DE 6-3 235 - Beltsville, MD -2*/2*
Ryan Palmer OL 6-6 274 - Canton, OH - 2*/2*
[strike]Justin Sanders DB 6-2 - Booneville, MS - 2*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Rahkeem Smith LB 6-1 220 - Hargrave Prep, Chatham, VA - 4*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Antonio Steele LB 6-2 215 - Long Beach, CA - 3*/3* - JUCO[/strike]
[strike]Marques Wilkins WR 6-0 182 - Decatur, IL - 3*/4*[/strike]
[strike]Isiah Williams QB 6-2 207 - Chicago, IL 4*/4*[/strike]
Craig Wilson OL 6-5 290 - Harvey, IL - 2*/3* - Prep - See 2006
[strike]Kyle Yelton K 6-1 180 4.65 - Chesterton, IN - 3*/2*[/strike]
Name Ht Wt - Hometown - Scout/Rivals rating
Bold indicates starter
[strike]No longer on roster[/strike]
The 2010 Buckeye Defense is one of the best in the nation. If the health of the unit improves, rather than deteriorates, it may yet go down as one of the best Buckeye Defenses ever. Right now however, it is statistically mediocre by Buckeye standards, so let's start BtN on the other side of the ball this week.
It's not exactly a secret: The big story along the shores of the Olentangy this year is the Buckeye Offense. While the defense is highly ranked, yet mediocre by their own lofty standards; the offense, usually mediocre, is ranked even higher than the defense this year. Can you think of the last time that a Tressel-led Buckeye offense was ranked higher than the Buckeye stop troops? No? That's because it's never happened before.
Mini-DSA
The new territory being staked out by the Ohio State offense is most easily explored using Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA). While wholesale DSA for every team in FBS will have to wait a few weeks, some preliminary numbers were calculated for the Buckeyes this week. Since the 120-worksheet Excel file hasn't been spun up yet, there are no rankings available for this year; but we can compare this year's preliminary numbers to the final tallies for previous Buckeye teams of the past 9 years.
Quick Explanation:
Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA) takes each major statistic and compares it to what is typically accomplished vs. the opponents faced. This gives a ratio for each metric. A ratio of 1.000 indicates a perfectly average performance for the given stat. Numbers above 1 are good on offense but bad on defense (and vice versa).
Where:
Some of the more credible insiders on the board have suggested that it is Coach Hazell who has transformed the Buckeye Offense. Give that man a raise. Under his tutelage, the Buckeye Offense:
The Scarlet Zone
We might as well call it the Scarlet Zone. The Buckeyes have laid claim to it this year like in no year before. It's not just the #14 national ranking or the way that they downshifted and moved the no-huddle into overdrive against EMU when entering the Scarlet Zone; it's about how often they get there.
The Buckeyes have violated the opponent's Scarlet Zone 27 times this season. That is more than any other team in the nation. This is clearly a result not only of the opportunistic defense, but also of the Buckeyes' unprecedented ability to eat up yardage in 2010. And if you think that sounds out of character for a Jim Tressel team, try wrapping your mind around the fact that the Buckeyes are the only team in the FBS with 10 Scarlet Zone touchdown passes. No other team has as many.
Oh Yeah, Them
With numbers like these is it really necessary to mention the opponent? OK, fine
The Illini have impressive Differential Rushing Offense (DRO). Good for them.
But is there a more one-dimensional team in college football this side of the service academies? The DPO and DPE numbers leave one grasping for suitable adjectives in vain. Yes, the Buckeye secondary resembles a M*A*S*H unit, but can Scheelhaase take advantage?
The Buckeyes should be able to load-up to stop the run and pressure the young Illini QB. Combine that with Illinois' defense's struggles against the pass, mix in the Buckeye's new no-huddle look that shifts into a different gear in the Scarlet Zone, and you have a recipe for a successful road-trip for the Buckeyes.
The Lighter SideIt's not exactly a secret: The big story along the shores of the Olentangy this year is the Buckeye Offense. While the defense is highly ranked, yet mediocre by their own lofty standards; the offense, usually mediocre, is ranked even higher than the defense this year. Can you think of the last time that a Tressel-led Buckeye offense was ranked higher than the Buckeye stop troops? No? That's because it's never happened before.
Mini-DSA
The new territory being staked out by the Ohio State offense is most easily explored using Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA). While wholesale DSA for every team in FBS will have to wait a few weeks, some preliminary numbers were calculated for the Buckeyes this week. Since the 120-worksheet Excel file hasn't been spun up yet, there are no rankings available for this year; but we can compare this year's preliminary numbers to the final tallies for previous Buckeye teams of the past 9 years.
Quick Explanation:
Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA) takes each major statistic and compares it to what is typically accomplished vs. the opponents faced. This gives a ratio for each metric. A ratio of 1.000 indicates a perfectly average performance for the given stat. Numbers above 1 are good on offense but bad on defense (and vice versa).
Where:
DRO = Differential Rushing Offense
DPO = Differential Passing Offense
DPE-O = Differential Pass Efficiency - Offense
DTO = Differential Total Offense
DSO = Differential Scoring Offense
And where 2010 stats that are the best of the Tressel era are shown in Scarlet & Gray. Where the 2010 numbers aren't the best, the numbers that were better are shown in Scarlet & Gray.
Behind These Hazell's 'EyesDPO = Differential Passing Offense
DPE-O = Differential Pass Efficiency - Offense
DTO = Differential Total Offense
DSO = Differential Scoring Offense
And where 2010 stats that are the best of the Tressel era are shown in Scarlet & Gray. Where the 2010 numbers aren't the best, the numbers that were better are shown in Scarlet & Gray.
Some of the more credible insiders on the board have suggested that it is Coach Hazell who has transformed the Buckeye Offense. Give that man a raise. Under his tutelage, the Buckeye Offense:
- Has the best DRO of any team in the list that did not have Beanie Wells in the backfield (Look for this number to go up as opponents stop selling out against the run.)
- Has the best DPE-O of any team in the list that did not have Troy Smith at quarterback. This number too, may well go up regardless what opponents do
- Has by far the best DTO, DSO and DPO of any Tressel-led Buckeye team. IN FACT
DTO
- Troy Smith led the Buckeyes to rankings of 32nd and 26th respectively in 2005 and 2006 in DTO. No other Buckeye team of the era ranked above 48th in DTO.
- This year's DTO would have ranked #1 in the Nation twice (04 and 07) in the past 9 years, and never would have ranked below 5th. In 6 of the past 9 years it would have ranked in the top 3.
DSO
- Troy Smith led the Buckeyes to rankings of 17th and 5th respectively in 2005 and 2006 in DSO. No other Buckeye team of the era ranked above 28th in DTO.
- This year's DSO would have ranked #1 in the Nation three times (03, 04 and 09); never would have ranked below 4th; would have been top 3 in 8 of the last 9 years.
DPO
- Troy managed DPO of 65th and 61st respectively. No Buckeye team did better since '01.
- This year's DPO would have ranked between 9th and 15th nationally over the past 9 seasons.
The Scarlet Zone
We might as well call it the Scarlet Zone. The Buckeyes have laid claim to it this year like in no year before. It's not just the #14 national ranking or the way that they downshifted and moved the no-huddle into overdrive against EMU when entering the Scarlet Zone; it's about how often they get there.
The Buckeyes have violated the opponent's Scarlet Zone 27 times this season. That is more than any other team in the nation. This is clearly a result not only of the opportunistic defense, but also of the Buckeyes' unprecedented ability to eat up yardage in 2010. And if you think that sounds out of character for a Jim Tressel team, try wrapping your mind around the fact that the Buckeyes are the only team in the FBS with 10 Scarlet Zone touchdown passes. No other team has as many.
Oh Yeah, Them
With numbers like these is it really necessary to mention the opponent? OK, fine
The Illini have impressive Differential Rushing Offense (DRO). Good for them.
But is there a more one-dimensional team in college football this side of the service academies? The DPO and DPE numbers leave one grasping for suitable adjectives in vain. Yes, the Buckeye secondary resembles a M*A*S*H unit, but can Scheelhaase take advantage?
The Buckeyes should be able to load-up to stop the run and pressure the young Illini QB. Combine that with Illinois' defense's struggles against the pass, mix in the Buckeye's new no-huddle look that shifts into a different gear in the Scarlet Zone, and you have a recipe for a successful road-trip for the Buckeyes.
Epic Beat-downs
On September 25, 2010, Ohio State spanked Eastern Michigan 73-20. The offensive output stands as the most points a Jim Tressel team has ever scored and represents the largest point total since handing Iowa its backside 83-21 in 1950. The Buckeyes gained over 1/3 of a mile during the contest and scored on all but four of their possessions. Of those four, two came at the end of the respective halves, while one other ended on a fumble after a reception by a third string tight end, and the other on a punt. While we Buckeye fans are slightly disturbed by a "team" like Eastern Michigan scoring three touchdowns against our stop forces, the fact remains - it's hard to stay particularly pumped up when you're in the middle of pounding an overmatched opponent into oblivion.
September 25, 2010 was quite a weekened for the bulk of the Big Ten. Take a look at these results:
Wins
(2) Ohio State 73........(11) Wisconsin 70.......(18) Iowa 45........(21) Michigan 65
Eastern Michigan 20......Austin Peay 3...........Ball State 0.........Bowling Green 21
(23) Penn State 22.......(25) Michigan State 45..Northwestern 30.........Indiana 35
Temple 13................Northern Colorado 7.....Central Michigan 25..Akron 20
Losses:
Purdue 20................Minnesota 23
Toledo 31................Northern Illinois 34
While sporting an 8-2 record as a conference is nice, the Purdue and Minnesota losses are pretty ugly. But, then, what can you really expect from a team that lost to Upper Western North Dakota State College of Farming and a team that is "getting used to it" under liberal timeout user Danny Hope. In any case, the winning results are nothing short of an offensive extravaganza on par with some Big XII blowouts of years past. Never mind the fact that each of these blowouts was against meager competition. A combined score of 385 - 109 for the winners is the sort of thing that even the boys in Bristol, Connecticut notice. It's the kind of weekend that reminds old timers like BB73 of early 1900s.
Take October 14, 1916, for example. It was on this date that Ohio State delivered a 128 - 0 flogging to Oberlin. The game still stands as the largest point total, and margin of victory, in Ohio State history. Like the 2010 Buckeyes, the 1916 Buckeyes enjoyed the physical exploits of a young man who was, in every way, superior to the other guys on the field with him. In 2010 that man is QB Terrelle Pryor. In 1916 it was HB Chic Harley. Like 1916, Ohio State would follow up the blood-letting with a contest against the Fighting Illini of Illinois.
Times are changed in some ways. In 1916, Illinois and Ohio State were fairly evenly regarded with Illinois enjoying a slight edge. In the two contests prior to Harley's first go around, Illinois and Ohio State had tied one in 1915 and the Illini had taken it to the Bucks 37-0 in 1914. The 1916 game was indeed a "big game" for the Buckeyes. Illinois, while losing to Colgate the week prior, was 13-1-2 prior to the match and had not lost a conference game since 1913 while Ohio State had established itself as a pretty good team in its own right in the two seasons prior, going a combined 12-3-1. The contest, at Illinois, was a slugfest played in a day long rain. It would come down to Chic Harley, who scored Ohio State's lone TD in the waning moments of a 6-0 game. After his TD tied it 6-6, it was Harley's extra point which would seal the deal. Ohio State went on to win all seven games it would play in 1916. Illinois ended the season 3-3-1. There was no Heisman in those days, but Ohio State's Chic Harley would certainly have been a strong candidate. In any event, he was a unanimous All American selection.
Winning was what Chic Harley did. Having made a name for himself in High School, Harley is the man responsible for what we now know as Ohio State. Sure, other great men had their hands in it too, John Wilce - Harley's coach - for example, or the AD at the time - Lynn St. John. But, it was Harley's exploits which built the proud tradition that is Ohio State football today. It was because of Harley that the Ohio State ended up building the Shoe. Prior to Chic's days on campus, the Buckeyes might get several thousand to a game at Ohio Field which had a capacity of about 14,000. But, by the time Chic's career at Ohio State would come to a close, Ohio Field could no longer contain the numbers of people who wanted to see the man in action. Ohio Field would become Arps Hall, Ramseyer Hall and a parking garage. Vacant land next to the Olentangy would become the "House the Harley built."
It was Chic Harley's 1919 team which was the first Ohio State team to ever beat a Michigan squad. You know those fans that like to talk about "all time winningest program?" Yeah, it's these days to which they refer. The Buckeyes would win 13-3 marking the 19th time in 20 games Harley played in which the Buckeyes prevailed. The one game the Buckeyes didn't win? A 0-0 tie with Auburn in 1917, a week after beating Illinois 13-0, and a week in which most of the Ohio State players contemplated the War - a former teammate (and Chic's High School teammate, at that) having been killed in action at about that same time. Harley would go to serve in World War I in 1918. Ohio State went 3-3 without him. But, again, Harley returned to play in 1919, and led the Buckeyes to yet another undefeated seeason entering the finale with Illinois. Harley, who had never lost a game in college, Harley, the greatest athlete of his time, Harley, the man who's popularity compelled the building of a 66,000 seat stadium ... in his final game as a collegian ... lost. To Illinois. Nine to seven. The Buckeyes had been leading 7-6 in a tightly fought battle that looked like it might well end that way. But, with 8 seconds left, Illinois kicked a 25 yard field goal. Harley - after bringing Ohio State 2 prior seasons of glory and the Buckeyes first win over Michigan - blamed himself for the loss.
Why this story? Well, for one, it's this history which is why Ohio State is what it is today. The team you root for, the team you love, was built by the man who's #47 finally is recognized on the stadium which might have well bared his name. We owe a great deal to Chic. But, for another, it's Illinois week. Look, no one these days gets too excited to face the Zookers. Times have changed. But, this Ohio State team - the 2010 version - reminded me of the 1916 team when it gave the Eagles its old school beat down. While that '16 team beat Illinois, what occurs to us is that we owe Chic Harley a win. Men like Harley aren't supposed to lose their last game. But, he did and it was the Illini which beat him. So, this week, Buckeyes, how about a little something for Chic? Granted, it's in Champaign and not the Shoe - but then, Chic himself was from Chicago. Fitting, I say. Sure, Ohio State has beaten the Illini plenty of times since 1919. Sure Ohio State has the IlliBuck holding Gene Smith's door open (or whatever it is we do with it). But, in a year where Ohio State is running up old school scores, perhaps it's time to settle an old school score. Make Chic proud this week. Go Bucks!
On September 25, 2010, Ohio State spanked Eastern Michigan 73-20. The offensive output stands as the most points a Jim Tressel team has ever scored and represents the largest point total since handing Iowa its backside 83-21 in 1950. The Buckeyes gained over 1/3 of a mile during the contest and scored on all but four of their possessions. Of those four, two came at the end of the respective halves, while one other ended on a fumble after a reception by a third string tight end, and the other on a punt. While we Buckeye fans are slightly disturbed by a "team" like Eastern Michigan scoring three touchdowns against our stop forces, the fact remains - it's hard to stay particularly pumped up when you're in the middle of pounding an overmatched opponent into oblivion.
September 25, 2010 was quite a weekened for the bulk of the Big Ten. Take a look at these results:
Wins
(2) Ohio State 73........(11) Wisconsin 70.......(18) Iowa 45........(21) Michigan 65
Eastern Michigan 20......Austin Peay 3...........Ball State 0.........Bowling Green 21
(23) Penn State 22.......(25) Michigan State 45..Northwestern 30.........Indiana 35
Temple 13................Northern Colorado 7.....Central Michigan 25..Akron 20
Losses:
Purdue 20................Minnesota 23
Toledo 31................Northern Illinois 34
While sporting an 8-2 record as a conference is nice, the Purdue and Minnesota losses are pretty ugly. But, then, what can you really expect from a team that lost to Upper Western North Dakota State College of Farming and a team that is "getting used to it" under liberal timeout user Danny Hope. In any case, the winning results are nothing short of an offensive extravaganza on par with some Big XII blowouts of years past. Never mind the fact that each of these blowouts was against meager competition. A combined score of 385 - 109 for the winners is the sort of thing that even the boys in Bristol, Connecticut notice. It's the kind of weekend that reminds old timers like BB73 of early 1900s.
Take October 14, 1916, for example. It was on this date that Ohio State delivered a 128 - 0 flogging to Oberlin. The game still stands as the largest point total, and margin of victory, in Ohio State history. Like the 2010 Buckeyes, the 1916 Buckeyes enjoyed the physical exploits of a young man who was, in every way, superior to the other guys on the field with him. In 2010 that man is QB Terrelle Pryor. In 1916 it was HB Chic Harley. Like 1916, Ohio State would follow up the blood-letting with a contest against the Fighting Illini of Illinois.
Times are changed in some ways. In 1916, Illinois and Ohio State were fairly evenly regarded with Illinois enjoying a slight edge. In the two contests prior to Harley's first go around, Illinois and Ohio State had tied one in 1915 and the Illini had taken it to the Bucks 37-0 in 1914. The 1916 game was indeed a "big game" for the Buckeyes. Illinois, while losing to Colgate the week prior, was 13-1-2 prior to the match and had not lost a conference game since 1913 while Ohio State had established itself as a pretty good team in its own right in the two seasons prior, going a combined 12-3-1. The contest, at Illinois, was a slugfest played in a day long rain. It would come down to Chic Harley, who scored Ohio State's lone TD in the waning moments of a 6-0 game. After his TD tied it 6-6, it was Harley's extra point which would seal the deal. Ohio State went on to win all seven games it would play in 1916. Illinois ended the season 3-3-1. There was no Heisman in those days, but Ohio State's Chic Harley would certainly have been a strong candidate. In any event, he was a unanimous All American selection.
Winning was what Chic Harley did. Having made a name for himself in High School, Harley is the man responsible for what we now know as Ohio State. Sure, other great men had their hands in it too, John Wilce - Harley's coach - for example, or the AD at the time - Lynn St. John. But, it was Harley's exploits which built the proud tradition that is Ohio State football today. It was because of Harley that the Ohio State ended up building the Shoe. Prior to Chic's days on campus, the Buckeyes might get several thousand to a game at Ohio Field which had a capacity of about 14,000. But, by the time Chic's career at Ohio State would come to a close, Ohio Field could no longer contain the numbers of people who wanted to see the man in action. Ohio Field would become Arps Hall, Ramseyer Hall and a parking garage. Vacant land next to the Olentangy would become the "House the Harley built."
It was Chic Harley's 1919 team which was the first Ohio State team to ever beat a Michigan squad. You know those fans that like to talk about "all time winningest program?" Yeah, it's these days to which they refer. The Buckeyes would win 13-3 marking the 19th time in 20 games Harley played in which the Buckeyes prevailed. The one game the Buckeyes didn't win? A 0-0 tie with Auburn in 1917, a week after beating Illinois 13-0, and a week in which most of the Ohio State players contemplated the War - a former teammate (and Chic's High School teammate, at that) having been killed in action at about that same time. Harley would go to serve in World War I in 1918. Ohio State went 3-3 without him. But, again, Harley returned to play in 1919, and led the Buckeyes to yet another undefeated seeason entering the finale with Illinois. Harley, who had never lost a game in college, Harley, the greatest athlete of his time, Harley, the man who's popularity compelled the building of a 66,000 seat stadium ... in his final game as a collegian ... lost. To Illinois. Nine to seven. The Buckeyes had been leading 7-6 in a tightly fought battle that looked like it might well end that way. But, with 8 seconds left, Illinois kicked a 25 yard field goal. Harley - after bringing Ohio State 2 prior seasons of glory and the Buckeyes first win over Michigan - blamed himself for the loss.
Why this story? Well, for one, it's this history which is why Ohio State is what it is today. The team you root for, the team you love, was built by the man who's #47 finally is recognized on the stadium which might have well bared his name. We owe a great deal to Chic. But, for another, it's Illinois week. Look, no one these days gets too excited to face the Zookers. Times have changed. But, this Ohio State team - the 2010 version - reminded me of the 1916 team when it gave the Eagles its old school beat down. While that '16 team beat Illinois, what occurs to us is that we owe Chic Harley a win. Men like Harley aren't supposed to lose their last game. But, he did and it was the Illini which beat him. So, this week, Buckeyes, how about a little something for Chic? Granted, it's in Champaign and not the Shoe - but then, Chic himself was from Chicago. Fitting, I say. Sure, Ohio State has beaten the Illini plenty of times since 1919. Sure Ohio State has the IlliBuck holding Gene Smith's door open (or whatever it is we do with it). But, in a year where Ohio State is running up old school scores, perhaps it's time to settle an old school score. Make Chic proud this week. Go Bucks!
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). But Chief Illiniwek was banned in February 2007 because of racial insensitivity. 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 2008, after winning it in Columbus in an upset victory over the #1 Buckeyes in 2007.
- 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 since then.
- 3. The "Land of Lincoln Trophy". 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 was in Champaign after a 2007 victory, but was reclaimed by Northwestern in 2008. In 2009, the trophy was changed to the 'Land of Lincoln Trophy', which has a stovepipe hat like the one worn by the 16th President.
[*]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 over 100 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 2010 season marking its 100th 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 performed 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". Before the Cheif was retired, this celebrated tradition was 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.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL) Founded in 1867
Football 1st Season: 1890
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Constructed: 1923 (Most recent renovations completed in 2008)
Seating Capacity: 62,870
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Conference: Independent 1890, Illinois Intercollegiate Football League 1891-1895, Big Ten Conference since 1896
Colors: Orange and Blue
Mascot: Chief Illiniwek (retired)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 15 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 2010)
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 Sammy Baugh Trophy
National Championships: 4 Recognized National Championships - 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-13 years, Coaches-13 years
RecordsStadium: Memorial Stadium
Constructed: 1923 (Most recent renovations completed in 2008)
Seating Capacity: 62,870
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Conference: Independent 1890, Illinois Intercollegiate Football League 1891-1895, Big Ten Conference since 1896
Colors: Orange and Blue
Mascot: Chief Illiniwek (retired)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 15 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 2010)
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 Sammy Baugh Trophy
National Championships: 4 Recognized National Championships - 1914, 1919, 1923, 1927
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-13 years, Coaches-13 years
All Time: 566-525-49 (.518)
Bowl Games: 6-9-0 (.400) Most recently a 14-49 loss to USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 328-374-31 (.469)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 30-62-4 (.333) The most recent meeting was a 30-0 loss to the Bucks in Columbus in 2009.
Coach's Record: Ron Zook, 2005 - 2010, 23-40-0 (.365), Career mark of 46-54-0 (.460)
2010 Season: 0-0-0 (.000)
Sep 04 vs. Missouri, L 13-23
Sep 11 Southern Illinois W 35-3
Sep 18 Northern Illinois W 28-2
Oct 02 Ohio State Noon ET
Oct 09 at Penn State Noon ET
Oct 16 at Michigan State Noon ET
Oct 23 Indiana Noon ET
Oct 30 Purdue TBA
Nov 06 at Michigan TBA
Nov 13 Minnesota TBA
Nov 20 at Northwestern (Wrigley Field) 3:30 ET
Dec 03 at Fresno State 10:15 PM ET
2011 Schedule
TBA
LinksBowl Games: 6-9-0 (.400) Most recently a 14-49 loss to USC in the 2008 Rose Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 328-374-31 (.469)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 30-62-4 (.333) The most recent meeting was a 30-0 loss to the Bucks in Columbus in 2009.
Coach's Record: Ron Zook, 2005 - 2010, 23-40-0 (.365), Career mark of 46-54-0 (.460)
2010 Season: 0-0-0 (.000)
Sep 04 vs. Missouri, L 13-23
Sep 11 Southern Illinois W 35-3
Sep 18 Northern Illinois W 28-2
Oct 02 Ohio State Noon ET
Oct 09 at Penn State Noon ET
Oct 16 at Michigan State Noon ET
Oct 23 Indiana Noon ET
Oct 30 Purdue TBA
Nov 06 at Michigan TBA
Nov 13 Minnesota TBA
Nov 20 at Northwestern (Wrigley Field) 3:30 ET
Dec 03 at Fresno State 10:15 PM ET
2011 Schedule
TBA
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 - Illini Board (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 - Covers
Blog - Illini Talk
Blog - 4th & Blog (down page - The News-Gazette)
Blog - Mark Tupper (Decatur Herald & Review)
Blog - Ronler Ramblings
Blog - Eye on the Illini (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Blog - The Chief Perspective
Blog - DI Sports Wrapup (Daily Illini)
Blog - CoachRonZook.com
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
WLS - ABC Chicago
WBBM - CBS Chicago
WCCU - Fox Champaign/Urbana
WMAO - NBC Chicago
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - SportsBookLists
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Illinois Loyalty
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Opposing Views
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Big Ten Portal
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Big Ten
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Sports Chat Place
B10 Conference Previews and Breakdowns:
2010 BigTen Prospectus - BigTen
2010 BigTen Media Guides - BigTen
2010 BigTen Composite Schedule - BigTen
2010 BigTen Statistics - BigTen
2010 BigTen Weekly Releases - BigTen
2010 BigTen Weekly Results - BigTen
2010 CFN Big Ten Preview Part 1 - CFN
2010 CFN Big Ten Preview Part 2 - CFN
2010 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2010 CFN Preseason Unit Preview - CFN
2010 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2010 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
Travel:
Fan Guide (PDF) - FightingIllini
Parking Map (PDF) - FightingIllini
Gameday Central - FightingIllini
Game FAQ - FightingIllini
Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including: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 - Illini Board (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 - Covers
Blog - Illini Talk
Blog - 4th & Blog (down page - The News-Gazette)
Blog - Mark Tupper (Decatur Herald & Review)
Blog - Ronler Ramblings
Blog - Eye on the Illini (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Blog - The Chief Perspective
Blog - DI Sports Wrapup (Daily Illini)
Blog - CoachRonZook.com
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
WLS - ABC Chicago
WBBM - CBS Chicago
WCCU - Fox Champaign/Urbana
WMAO - NBC Chicago
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - SportsBookLists
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Illinois Loyalty
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Opposing Views
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Big Ten Portal
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Big Ten
Illinois 2010 Football Preview - Sports Chat Place
B10 Conference Previews and Breakdowns:
2010 BigTen Prospectus - BigTen
2010 BigTen Media Guides - BigTen
2010 BigTen Composite Schedule - BigTen
2010 BigTen Statistics - BigTen
2010 BigTen Weekly Releases - BigTen
2010 BigTen Weekly Results - BigTen
2010 CFN Big Ten Preview Part 1 - CFN
2010 CFN Big Ten Preview Part 2 - CFN
2010 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2010 CFN Preseason Unit Preview - CFN
2010 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2010 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
Travel:
Fan Guide (PDF) - FightingIllini
Parking Map (PDF) - FightingIllini
Gameday Central - FightingIllini
Game FAQ - FightingIllini
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
