Oct. 8, 2001

Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

FOR OPENERS
Illinois looks to improve to 5-1 for the first time since 1990 when the Illini started the year with a 6-1 mark ... The Illini are 4-1 for the first time since 1991 ... The Fighting Illini are trying to reach an above-.500 Big Ten record for the first time since 1994 when they started the year 2-1... Illinois senior punter Steve Fitts, already the Illini career leader in punting average (41.7 avg.), moved into first place on the school career chart for punting yards (9,307 yards), and is six punts away from taking the top spot in number of punts (223 after five games) ... Illinois cornerback Eugene Wilson leads the Big Ten with 14 passes defended in 2001, and has a streak of eight straight games with a PBU ... The Fighting Illini continue to lead the Big Ten, and rank sixth nationally, with a turnover margin of +9 (14-5) ... Through five games, the Illini's defensive stars are never-ending. Five Illinois defensive backs have intercepted passes and 11 defenders have registered sacks this season ... Indiana is Illinois' second opponent this season that formerly employed Illini assistant coach Mike Mallory's father as head coach. Bill Mallory served as head coach at both Northern Illinois and Indiana ... Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner leads the Big Ten in passing yardage with an average of 264.4 yards per game, and is second in total offense at 262.4 ypg ... The Illini lead the Big Ten in passing yardage as a team with an average of 270.6 yards per game ... Illinois leads the Big Ten with 20 quarterback sacks, and ranks second with just four sacks allowed in five games ... The Fighting Illini rank second in the Big Ten in net punting with an average of 39.2 yards, while Indiana ranks 11th with an average of 22.0 yards ... Illinois has the most field goals made by any Big Ten team this year, by three different kickers ... Illini sophomore Brandon Lloyd is the first Illini receiver since Shawn Wax in 1990 to top 100 yards in reception yardage three times in the same season ... Illinois now has four blocked kicks on the season with two field goals and two punts.

THE COACHES' CORNER
RON TURNER, Illinois (20-30 in his fifth year at Illinois, 27-34 overall) - Ron Turner is in his fifth year at Illinois and enters the Indiana game with a 27-34 coaching record, including 20-30 at UI. Turner is 2-2 against the Hoosiers after a 42-35 win at Champaign in last season. The Illini are 0-2 at Bloomington under Turner with a 23-6 loss in 1997 and a 34-31 loss in 1999.

After sub-par seasons in 1997 and 1998, Turner led the Illini to an 8-4 record and a 63-21 thumping of Virginia in the Micronpc.com Bowl in 1999. For his efforts, Turner finished fourth in the Associated Press Coach of the Year voting. Turner came to Illinois after a four-year stint as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears (1993-96). In 1992, he was the head coach for San Jose State where he turned in a 7-4 record and a second-place finish in the Big West Conference. Turner has served as an assistant at Stanford, Texas A&M, Southern California, Pittsburgh, Northwestern and Arizona working mainly with quarterbacks and receivers during his 20+ years in college coaching.

CAM CAMERON, Indiana (14-34 in his fifth year at Indiana and as a collegiate head coach) - Cam Cameron is in his fifth year as head coach at Indiana. He served Michigan as an assistant from 1984-93 before working as an assistant coach with the Washington Redskins from 1994-96. Cameron is 2-2 vs. Illinois while at Indiana.

COACHING CONNECTIONS
Indiana head coach Cam Cameron was an assistant under Norv Turner, brother of Illinois head coach Ron Turner, with the Washington Redskins from 1994-96. Indiana offensive coordinator Hal Hunter was at Pittsburgh with Ron Turner from 1983-84. Illinois secondary coach Mike Mallory was a graduate assistant at Indiana from 1986-87 and is the son of long-time Hoosier head coach Bill Mallory. Illinois defensive line coach Donnie Thompson was an assistant at North Carolina when Indiana linebacker coach Ron Burton was a graduate assistant for the Tar Heels from 1992-94. Thompson and Indiana quarterback coach Gerald Carr also coached together at North Carolina from 1992-94. Thompson also coached with Hunter at Pittsburgh from 1983-84.

SERIES HISTORY
Illinois leads the all-time series by a 38-17-3 margin, including a 12-10-1 advantage at Bloomington. Illinois leads with a 7-3 mark over the last 10 meetings. The Hoosiers, however, have won the last two meetings in Bloomington. Illinois held on for a 42-35 victory last season in Champaign. The two teams combined for 950 yards in total offense, as Kurt Kittner completed 21 of 29 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Illini freshman Christian Morton returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown for the Illini. Antwaan Randle El rushed 32 times for 209 yards and four touchdowns, while passing for 130 yards to lead the Hoosier attack.

OFFENSIVE NOTES
The Illini offense has always worked towards a balanced attack and that couldn't be more evident with the current breakdown of 182 passing and 188 rushing plays.

Illinois' passing offense ranks first in the Big Ten and 27th in the nation with a 270.6 yards per game average. Although sophomore Brandon Lloyd has topped 100-yards receiving in three games and has 554 yards through five, 10 Illini players have hauled in catches for the other 799 yards, including junior Walter Young who is averaging 50.0 yards per game.

The Illini offensive line has allowed only four sacks, which ranks second in the conference and ninth in the nation. They have held opponents without a sack in three games (Minnesota, Louisville and California).

The Illini offense has scored 25 points or more 18 times in the last three seasons (dating back to 1999, 28 games) and has topped the 40-point mark eight times during that same span.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

In the past five games, the Illini have forced 14 turnovers which ranks 12th in the nation (tied with four other teams). The team also ranks sixth in the nation in turnover margin with 14 turnovers forced and only five given up. The Illini have scored 34 points off turnovers, putting points on the board following six of the 14 take-aways. Three defensive backs, Eugene Wilson, Christian Morton and Muhammad Abdullah, have two interceptions apiece. With Morton's two picks vs. Louisville, it marked the second straight game an Illini defender had two interceptions and third time in the last six games (dating back to 2000).

The Illini defense is first in the Big Ten in sacks with 20 for a loss of 158 yards through five games. That number also ranks third in the nation. Eleven Illini defenders have recorded sacks with defensive tackles Derrick Strong, Brandon Moore and Jeff Ruffin leading the way with three apiece. In addition to the 20 sacks, Illinois has 16 other tackles for loss.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

For the last three years the Illini have had the threat of the two-headed tailback. Now they boast a trio of kickers that have combined for 12-of-15 on the season, which ranks first in the Big Ten. Sophomore JJ Tubbs began the season as the team's kicker hitting 5-of-8 field goals. After missed field goals against Louisville, sophomore Peter Christofilakos took over as the full-time placekicker and has made six straight (long of 38). In the Illini's game vs. Minnesota, junior college transfer John Gockman was called on to an made his first collegiate attempt, a 51-yarder.

Senior punter Steve Fitts is averaging 43.0 yards per punt ranking fifth in the Big Ten and 28th in the nation. He has increased the team's net punting average from 36.3 last season to 38.6 this year. He has booted a long of 68 yards this season and has placed four inside the 20 yardline.

The Illini have blocked four kicks this season (two punts and two field goals). The two field goals came against Northern Illinois when senior DE Terrell Washington got a hand on two potential scores for the Huskies. Wide Receiver Dwayne Smith and safety Nick Piazza have blocked punt for the Illini this year.

The Illini kickoff unit forced a fumble (Muhammad Abdullah forced, Jamaal Clark recovered) on the 26 yardline to set up a 7-yard TD by Antoineo Harris in the Illini's 44-17 win over Cal.

GENERAL TEAM NOTES

Through four games, the Illini's average starting field position is on the 37 yard line and have started 13 drives in plus territory, while opponents are beginning their drives at the 27 yard line and have only started six drives on the Illinois side of the field and have started 10 drives within their own 20.

With its 34-10 win over No. 25 Louisville, Illinois won its 10th straight game over non-Big Ten foes and registered its third straight season with an undefeated record heading into conference play.

Five true-freshmen have seen action through four games: FB Cory Flisakowski, S Taman Jordan, DB Sedrick Davenport, LB Matt Sinclair and LB Brian Schaefering. Both Flisakowski and Jordan got on the field in the Illini's 44-17 win at Cal and have played in all four games. Sinclair joined the special teams units against Northern Illinois. Davenport has gotten special teams work against Louisville and LB Brian Schaefering saw some defensive snaps at linebacker at Michigan.

Redshirt freshman Patrick Babcock and junior college transfers Mario Ivy and Michael Hall are the only first-year players to start for the Illini this season. Babcock is Illinois' starting right guard, Ivy started at linebacker in the first two games and Hall made his first start at cornerback against Louisville.

Home Cookin'
Illinois has improved its home record at Memorial Stadium each season under Ron Turner. After going 0-6 in his first year, the Illini have improved to 2-4 in 1998, 3-3 in 1999 and 4-2 in 2000. So far in 2001, the Illini are a perfect 3-0 on the home turf.

ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS

The Illini broke into both the Associated Press and ESPN/Coaches Polls following their win over No. 25 Louisville with No. 22 and No. 23 rankings, respectively. The team began receiving votes in both polls in the preseason.

To begin the year, the Football Writers Association ranked Illinois 22nd, while ESPN The Magazine picked the Illini 24th in their preseason polls.

The squad opened the 2000 season ranked 24th and jumped as high as No. 17 following a three straight wins in non-conference play.

KITTNER EARNING NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Averaging 264.4 yards per game, Kittner leads the Big Ten in passing offense and ranks second in total offense. He also ranks 19th in the nation in total offense.

Kittner, with 33 starts under his belt, has amassed over 6,900 yards passing and 51 touchdowns in his career. He is four touchdown passes shy of the Illinois career record, currently held by Jack Trudeau (55). Illini teams are 16-5 when Kittner throws a touchdown pass, dating back to 1999.

With 239 yards passing against Michigan, Kittner has topped 1,300 yards for the season and recorded his 18th career 200-yard passing game.

For the second straight year, Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner has been named to the 30-man watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's top collegiate quarterback.

He also appears on the 20-player list as a Johnny Unitas Award Candidate, given to the top senior quarterback.

ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr., lists Kittner as the No. 21 player on his "Big Board" of the top-25 senior prospects in the 2002 NFL Draft. He is rated the No. 1 quarterback and the third-highest Big Ten athlete.

He was an honorable mention Football News All-American in 2000 and was named the ESPN Player of the Game with his career-high 352-yard performance against Michigan last season. In 1999, he led the Illini's record-breaking offense and engineered road wins at Ohio State and Michigan.

LLOYD'S BACK AND EARNING HONORS

With 168 yards receiving vs. Minnesota, sophomore Brandon Lloyd topped the 100-yard mark for the third time this season, marking the first time an Illini receiver has has three 100-yard receiving games since Shawn Wax accomplished the feat in 1990. He also scored two touchdowns against the Gophers, which were his first touchdowns scored at Memorial Stadium.

Lloyd is averaging 110.8 yards per game which ranks second in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation.

In the Illini's first game of 2001 and Lloyd's first back after a one-year hiatus, the receiver caught eight passes for 178 yards, the fifth-highest single-game receiving total in Illinois history.

For his performance at Cal, Lloyd earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors.

California head coach Tom Holmoe was quoted as saying, "He was the difference-maker. We knew that going in. But he just dominated situations."

In four games this season, Lloyd has hauled in six passes over 30-yards bringing his "Big Play" total to 19 in 17 career games played. Here is a list of Lloyd's Big Plays:

BUTKUS NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN TEAM

Illinois senior center Luke Butkus was named to the Scripps Howard preseason All-American team. He has also been selected to the Lombardi and Rimington Award Watch Lists.

Butkus started his 28th consecutive game for the Illini against the Michigan Wolverines and has helped the Illini become one of the most explosive offenses in the Big Ten. The Illini lead the Big Ten in passing and the offensive line has allowed only four sacks in the first five games, which ranks second in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation.

Against Cal, the offensive line also aided in the Illini's three rushing touchdowns and a perfect 4-of-4 on fourth down conversions. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors last season in leading Illinois to a second straight 2,000-yard passing, 1,700-yard rushing season.

FITTS ON RAY GUY WATCH LIST

With 466 yards punting against Michigan, Fitts became the school's career punt yardage leader (currently has 9,307). He needs just six punts to top the career punt list and since his freshman season has had the highest punting average in school history (41.7)

With a 43.0 season average, senior punter Steve Fitts has been named to the Ray Guy Award watch list for the second straight year. The Ray Guy Award is in its second season and is given to the nation's best collegiate punter.

Fitts, who has been the team's regular punter for the last four seasons, has been an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection for the last two. He has landed 43 career punts inside the 20 yardline and has a net punting average of 38.7 yards in 2001.

With a 46.6 punting average against Michigan, Fitts has averaged over 40 yards a punt in 27 career games.

ILLINI VS. RANKED OPPONENTS

The Illinois football team defeated No. 25 Louisville, 34-10, and fell to No. 17 Michigan 45-20 to record a 1-1 mark against opponents ranked in the Top-25 this season. Currently the Illini have three nationally ranked future foes on the schedule with a contest at No. 16/17 (Coaches/AP) Purdue on Nov. 3, at No. 25/21 Ohio State on Nov. 17 and vs. No. 24/NR Northwestern on Nov. 22. The last time an Illini squad beat two ranked teams was in 1999 when it defeated both No. 9 Michigan and No. 25 Ohio State. Illinois is 25-87-3 all-time against opponents ranked in the Top-25.

CONVERTED QUARTERBACKS

Two of the players of the game in the Illini's 34-10 win over No. 25 Louisville were wide receiver Walter Young and cornerback Christian Morton. Young had four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Morton picked off two passes and returned one for a touchdown. These players have one more thing in common - they came to Illinois as quarterbacks.

During the 1999 season, Young was competing for a back-up QB spot with senior Kirk Johnson. To get some playing time on the field, Young worked out part-time with the receivers. During that season, he caught 14 passes for 267 yards and a key touchdown at Michigan. In 2000, he moved to the position permanently, recording 403 yards receiving and a 14.9 yard per catch average. This season he is the team's second leading receiver with 250 yards on 16 catches and two touchdowns.

Morton had dreams of being an NFL quarterback, but was competing behind Kittner and current QB back-ups Dustin Ward and Mark Kornfeld. After talking with head coach Ron Turner, Morton decided the best way to get on the field was to go to the opposite side of the ball, turning the cornerback position from a concern to a strength. Through five games he has 30 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes broken up.

Senior tight end Brian Hodges also reported to Illinois as a future quarterback, but was moved to tight end during his freshman season. He started 11 games as a redshirt freshman and has notched two starts this season. He has four career touchdown receptions.

COACHING STAFF CHANGES

Four new coaches joined the Illini staff for the 2001 season, including three on the defensive side of the ball.

New defensive coordinator Mike Cassity came to Illinois after two seasons at Oklahoma State, where the Cowboy's held the national champion, Oklahoma Sooners, to a season-low 12 points last season. He has 18 years experience as a coordinator and shares the defensive backfield with new secondary coach Mike Mallory.

Mallory, the son of longtime Indiana head coach Bill Mallory and an All-American linebacker at Michigan in 1985, works primarily with the safeties.

Donnie Thompson, a 26-year veteran defensive line coach, came to Illinois after 12 seasons with the North Carolina Tar Heels. During his time with the Tar Heels, Thompson tutored 13 defensive linemen to pro careers, including three first-round draft picks. He also developed current Tar Heel, Julius Peppers, who is the top-rated defensive end in the country.

Cassity and Thompson served as co-coordinators together at Western Kentucky in 1985-86.

Dan O'Dell is the lone change on the offensive side of the ball, in his first season with the Illini quarterbacks. He spent the last two seasons at Illinois as the offensive graduate assistant.

TURNER TO COACH EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME
Illinois head coach Ron Turner has been named the East Coach for the 2002 East-West Shrine All-Star Game, along with Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, who will lead the West. The 77th annual game, which is scheduled for Jan. 12 at 12:30 CT on espn2, features the best senior collegiate all-stars. This is the second straight year Turner has been chosen to coach a senior all-star game. He coached in the Blue-Gray Game in 2000.

IT'S IN THE BLOOD
Here is a list of current Illinois football players with NFL lineage: Luke Butkus, Sr., C - nephew of Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, Father, Ron, played for the Chicago Cardinals ... Lamont Holden, Fr., LB - father, Renwick Atkins played one year with Detroit Lions ... Estus Hood, Fr., TE - Father, Estus Hood, played for Green Bay. Aaron Moorehead, Jr., WR - Father, Emory Moorehead, played 12 years in NFL with Giants, Broncos and Bears ... Duke Preston, Fr., OL - Father, Raymond Preston, played nine years with San Diego Chargers ... Matt Dlugolecki, Fr., QB - Cousin of QB Ron Powles, Uncle, Bobby Glazebrock, was DB for the Atlanta Falcons ... Mario Ivy, Jr., LB - Cousin of Dallas Cowboy DE Ed "Too Tall" Jones ...Taman Jordan, Fr., DB - Uncle, Jim Moore, played for Baltimore Colts.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Softball-playing football players. That's what the Illini were this summer when the senior class formed a six-team softball league made up solely of football players. The seven-week league began in an effort to give the team a bonding activity off the football field. The Huff City Riders team, made up of players such as linebacker Jerry Schumacher and running back Rocky Harvey, won the league in the championship game played during training camp.

MEMORIAL STADIUM FACELIFT
During the offseason, Illinois' Memorial Stadium got a facelift replacing the 15-year old Astroturf with the state-of-the-art AstroPlay? surface. The artificial turf has the look and feel of natural grass and is the same surface that was installed in the Illini's indoor practice facility last fall. AstroPlay? is a new concept in filled turf systems - a grass-like, non-abrasive, polyethylene fiber matrix is filled with special rubber or rubber granules. Memorial Stadium is one of only a few NCAA football venues to switch to AstroPlay? along with schools such as Oklahoma State and Kansas.

IT'S ALL RELATIVE
For the second straight year, the Illinois secondary will be full of Jacksons. Senior strong safety Bobby Jackson is joined by his brother Marc, who is a junior free safety. Their father is Robert Jackson, wide receivers coach for the Illini ... Sophomore offensive lineman Aaron Hodges earned his first letter in 2000, joining his brother, senior tight end Brian ... Junior, wide receivers Walter Young and Greg Lewis are first cousins.

RON TURNER RADIO SHOW The Ron Turner Radio Show will once again take its act on the road. Each week the show will visit campus sorority and fraternity houses on Mondays at 6 p.m. CT. The show can be heard on the 45-station Illini Sports Network as well as on the internet at www.fightingillini.com.