Oct. 17, 2001

by Scott Slattery,
Sports Information Assistant

Many seniors have come back to campus ready to have one last year of laziness before they have to give it their all in the real world. But that can't be said of a senior football player whose game must be better than his previous three years. Senior safety Muhammad Abdullah has taken to his senior year seriously as he has started his final campaign at Illinois aggressively. During the Illini's 44-17 victory in their season opener versus California, Abdullah contributed to what many think to be a rebirth of the defense from a season ago. He forced a fumble and recorded an interception in what turned out to be five turnovers that were created versus the Pac-10 power.

His nine tackles led the Illini defense in a performance that can be called anything but a bout of senioritis.

Abdullah is one-fourth of an experienced secondary whose speed should propel the Illini in their new defensive attack that has been installed under first-year defensive coach Mike Cassity. This year's defense is dramatically different than last year. Coach Cassity has implemented a 4-3 multiple front defense that has one major goal, to stop the run.

"It's a lot more athletic and fun to play," Abdullah said. "There's more of an attacking style and that's what defense is all about. It's about hitting and blitzing the quarterback. It makes the game a lot more fun because you don't know who's going to come. You have to be in coverage and must guess on defense, but that's the best part about it."

Abdullah's role this year has also changed on defense. He used to be seen more often deep and out of what was going on with the run. Now he's more involved with making sure the running game is stopped, along with his other duty to stop the receivers that he has dominated in the past.

The team also has a new feeling of confidence compared to that of last year. "We know that with our new package we can go out there more athletically and compete very quickly," he said. "We had belief in ourselves as soon as Coach Cassity stepped in with a new attitude. We learned that we had to be a lot tougher so that we could prove to everyone that we are a force to be reckoned with."

After being one of the team's biggest leaders over the past three years, Abdullah plans on making sure that he continues to improve on his past success. "I want to have another good season and be better than the level I have been at my previous two seasons," he said.

High goals are not unattainable to Abdullah. His five interceptions in 1999 were a team-high and ranked him fifth in the Big Ten. Last year he played without an interception, so 2001 is a year for him to get retribution. And Abdullah will have plenty of opportunities to find that this season since added responsibility has come his way in light of his his back-up, Marc Jackson, having to miss the season due to a broken collarbone. The added responsibility should only help Abdullah to improve himself. He feels the competition he had with Jackson throughout training camp helped him prepare for the season.

To help the team accomplish its goals, he put in the extra effort this past summer. "I worked a lot harder than in past off-seasons and watched a lot more film," Abdullah said. "I've seen it all, so nothing should surprise me. I feel a lot more comfortable on the field."

Having started 27 consecutive games will provide the Illini defender with the necessary experience, especially when the Big Ten season rolls along. Abdullah says he had one Big Ten opponent circled on his calendar coming into the season.

"I couldn't wait to play Minnesota, because both previous times we played them we got killed," he said. "This year we were able to pay them back."

For the Illini to take out revenge on the Big Ten teams that figured into their 5-6 season last year, their defense must no longer be the question mark. With a strong secondary devoted to stopping the run, experienced players like Abdullah will be the spark plug to a successful season. They will show Champaign their quick defense is more than just fun--it's lethal.