Nov. 12, 2001
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Illinois is 8-1 for the first time since 1983 when the Illini won the Big Ten title with a 9-0 conference mark and took a 10-1 record into the Rose Bowl ... The Fighting Illini's 5-1 start in Big Ten play is the best since 1993 when they also started conference play 5-1, the Illini were 7-1 in league play in 1989 .... With the win over No. 15 Purdue, Illinois broke into the Bowl Championship Series ranking at No. 12, for the first time in the poll's existence ...Illinois' current five-game winning streak in Big Ten play is its longest since winning five in 1989, the Illini won 12 straight conference games over the 1982, 1983 and 1984 seasons ... This is the latest in the season that the Illini have been in first place in the Big Ten since tying for the conference championship in 1990 ... Illinois is 5-0 at Memorial Stadium in 2001 and is shooting for its first perfect home mark since 1984 ... Senior quarterback Kurt Kittner is one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and one of 12 semi-finalists for the Davey O'Brien Award ... Illinois placekicker Peter Christofilakos was named to the 20-man semifinal list for the Lou Groza Award ... Ron Turner has now defeated each Big Ten school except for Michigan State during his career at Illinois ... Illinois has faced the two winningest coaches in NCAA Div. 1A history when they each held the top spot with Bear Bryant and Alabama winning 21-15 at the Liberty Bowl in 1982 and Illinois knocking off Joe Paterno and Penn State, 33-28, on Nov. 10, 2001.
In the 112-year history of Illinois football, the Illini have won at least eight games 13 times with six of those seasons coming prior to 1946 ... Illinois has won nine games three times (1951, 9-0-1, 1904, 9-2-1, and, 1892, 9-3-2) and 10 games three times (1989, 10-2, 1983, 10-2, and, 1902, 10-2-1).
Kittner leads the Big Ten in passing offense with an average of 259.2 yards per game and 17 touchdown passes ... As a team, the Illini are second in the league in pass offense (262.7 avg.) and rank second in scoring offense (32.0 avg.) ... after allowing an average of 26.0 points per game last year, the Illini defense is giving up 20.0 points a game in 2001 ... Teams rushed for 232.5 yards a game against Illinois in 2000. but are averaging just 132.4 in 2001, a decrease in 100.1 yards per game ... Illinois has three of the Big Ten's top 10 leaders in passes defended with Eugene Wilson (1st, 26), Christian Morton (2nd, 21) and Bobby Jackson (10th, 10) ... Illinois ranks second in the Big Ten with 34 quarterback sacks (3.78 avg.), and ranks second with just nine sacks (1.0 avg.) allowed in nine games ... The Fighting Illini lead the Big Ten in pass defense efficiency with a rating of 100.8 ... Illinois has the most field goals made by any Big Ten team this year (20), by three different kickers ... Illini sophomore kickers John Gockman (4-5) and Peter Christofilakos (11-12) have combined to make 15 of 17 fields goals on the year ... Sophomore Brandon Lloyd is the first Illini receiver since David Williams in 1985 to top 100 yards in receiving yardage five times in the same season ... Illinois now has five blocked kicks on the season - two field goals, two punts and one PAT ... Senior punter Steve Fitts has his name at the top of every Illini punting career list as the Illini career leader in punting average (42.0 avg.), punting yards (9,949 yards), and in number of punts (237) ... Christian Morton has tied the Illini season record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns ... Kittner is Illinois' career leader with 60 touchdown passes and moved into fifth place on the Big Ten career passing yardage list with 7,800 yards, second on the UI list.
THE COACHES' CORNER
RON TURNER, Illinois (24-30 in his fifth year at Illinois, 31-34 overall) - Ron Turner is in his fifth year at Illinois and enters the Ohio State game with a 31-34 coaching record, including 24-30 at UI. Since 1999, Turner is 21-11 at Illinois. Turner is 1-3 against the Buckeyes after a 24-21 loss at Champaign last season. Turner is 1-1 at Ohio Stadium with a 46-20 victory in 1999.
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. Over the last three seasons, Illinois has a record of 21-11 (.657) under Turner and will be shooting for its first perfect home record since 1984 on Nov. 22 when the Illini host Northwestern.
JIM TRESSEL, Ohio State (6-3 in his first year at Ohio State and 135-57-2 in his 16th season as a collegiate head coach) - Jim Tressel is facing Illinois for the first time as a head coach. Tressel was highly successful as head coach at Youngstown State form 1986-2000 before moving to Columbus. He served as an assistant under Earle Bruce at Ohio State from 1983-85.
COACHING CONNECTIONS
Illinois defensive line coach Donnie Thompson and Ohio State quarterbacks/receivers coach Joe Daniels were on the same Pittsburgh staff from 1981-82.
SERIES HISTORY
Ohio State leads the all-time series by a 57-28-4 margin, including a 25-16-4 advantage in Columbus. Since 1988, the Illini have enjoyed success at Ohio Stadium, winning five of the seven match-ups in Columbus. Illinois took four straight in 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994, Ohio State took two straight in 1995 and 1997 before Illinois posted a 46-20 win at Columbus in 1999. After Ohio State won 15 in a row against Illinois from 1968-82, the two teams have split with a 9-9 record the past 18 meetings.
Last year, Ohio State placekicker Dan Stultz hit a 34-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Buckeyes a 24-21 win at Memorial Stadium. On the last play of the third quarter, Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Two plays later, back-up QB Dustin Ward found fullback Jameel Cook in the end zone for a touchdown to give the Illini a 21-18 lead. Stultz made a 17-yard field goal with 6:05 remaining to tie the score before hitting the game-winner as time expired.
THE ILLIBUCK TROPHY
Since 1925, the Illinois and Ohio State football teams play for the "Illibuck" trophy. OSU leads the series 53-21-2. "Illibuck" is - or was - a turtle, destined for a long life, it was hoped. But the wear and tear if 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. Illinois gave up claim to the "Illibuck" following a last minute field goal by Ohio State and a 24-21 win by the Buckeyes in 2000.
KITTNER, THE COMEBACK KID
Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner has led Illinois to three consecutive come-from-behind victories and four this season. The Illini fell behind to Wisconsin by a touchdown in the fourth quarter and put together two drives to beat the Badgers, 42-35. In those two drives, Kittner was 5 of 7 for 92 yards and two touchdowns. The next week, Illinois answered a 13-0 deficit with 38 straight points. Following the fourth Illinois turnover, Kittner finished the game 11 of 23 for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Last weekend, Penn State jumped out to a 14-0 lead and Kittner was 13 of 19 for 169 yards and a touchdown to lead Illinois to a 33-28 win. Earlier in the season, the Illini were down 6-3 to Northern Illinois before Kittner put together a run of 8 of 12 passing for 121 yards and two touchdowns. His total figures in the four comeback wins are: 37 of 61 (61 percent) for 661 yards and seven touchdowns.
THE ILLINI SECONDARY
Illinois ranks first in the Big Ten in pass efficiency defense, are tied with the most interceptions in the conference with 12 and rank third in league in opponent's third down conversions ... Junior CB Eugene Wilson earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for his three-interception game against Penn State. Wilson also leads the nation in passes broken up (26/2.89 per game) ... Sophomore CB Chrisitan Morton has three interceptions this season, two returned for touchdowns and ranks second in the league in passes broken up with 21 ... Senior SS Bobby Jackson is one of the team's captains, has six tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and 10 passes broken up ... Senior FS Muhammad Abdullah ranks second on the team in total tackles, has three interceptions, four tackles for loss and two sacks ... And last but not least, nickle-back Michael Hall has an interception, a sack, forced fumble and eight PBUs.
TURNER NOTES
Turner has his 8-1 Illinois squad ranked 12th in the nation in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll and 12th in the Associated Press after not even cracking the preseason Top-35 in either list.
Turner is one of four coaches in the Top-12 this season to have one loss or less after a losing season in 2000. Illinois' 8-1 record has the Illini topping the eight-win mark for only the 13th time in school history.
In 1999, Turner led an Illini turnaround from 3-8 the previous season to 8-4 and a 63-21 win over Virginia in the Micronpc.com Bowl. For his efforts, Turner finished fourth in the Associated Press Coach of the Year voting.
During that same season, Turner became the first coach in Big Ten history to win at Michigan and Ohio State in the same season. The 20-point come-from-behind victory at "The Big House" was the best comeback win in school history. Illinois' 46-20 win at "The Horseshoe" was the worst home loss for the Buckeyes in 50 years.
The 1999 Illinois squad became the highest scoring offense in school history with its win in the Micronpc.com Bowl. The Illini's 388 points surpassed the 1902 team's 380 points scored in 13 games.
Turner was the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears from 1993-96, setting franchise scoring and passing records in 1995. In that season, the Bears had an 1,000-yard rusher and receiver.
Turner has over 20 years experience coaching quarterbacks. Some of his QBs include: Jeff Garcia, Erik Kramer, Jim Harbaugh, Steve Stenstrom, Sean Salisbury, Rodney Peete, Bucky Richardson, Sandy Schwab, John Congemi and Dave Kreig.
Turner founded the "Scoring Against MS" program to raise money for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Currently the program has raised over $300,000 over the last five years. Money is donated based on the amount of points scored by the Illini during the season.
Turner's brother is Norv Turner, offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers.
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 5-0 on the home turf.
ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS
After a 8-1 start to the season, the Illini are ranked 12th by ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll and No. 12 in the Associated Press poll, the highest ranking in the Turner era. The last time the Illini were ranked as high at 12th was in 1990 after starting the season 6-1, Illinois moved to fifth in the AP poll for a two-week span after defeating No. 25 Michigan State and winning at Wisconsin. The team finished the season with an 8-4 record, a trip to the Hall of Fame Bowl and a final ranking of 25th.
The team earned its first-ever Bowl Championships Series poll ranking following its win over No. 15 Purdue. Illinois entered at No. 12. This week's rankings will be released Monday afternoon.
KITTNER SEEKS WINNINGEST ILLINI QB HONORS
Following the Illini's impressive 8-1 start in 2001, senior quarterback Kurt Kittner is looking to become the school's winningest quarterback in modern history with two more wins this season. Former QB Jack Trudeau, who played from 1983-85, finished his career with 23 wins, while Kittner currently has 22 under his belt as the starting quarterback.
ILLINI VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
The Illini are 2-1 this season against ranked opponents after knocking off No. 15 Purdue, 38-13 in West Lafayette, Ind. Illinois defeated No. 25 Louisville, 34-10, and falling at No. 17 Michigan, 20-45. The squad will have a chance to record its third win against a Top-25 foe this weekend against No. 25 Ohio State. The last time and Illinois team beat three ranked teams in a season was 1983 when the Illini dropped four ranked opponents.
TRAVELING ILLINI
With four road games under their belt this season, the Illini are 3-1 away from Memorial Stadium following a 38-13 win at Purdue, 35-14 win at Indiana, 44-17 win at California and 45-20 loss in Ann Arbor. During the 2000 season, Illinois won its first road contest at San Diego State, then dropped the next four during conference play. However, the 1999 season saw the exact opposite with the Illini falling to Indiana 31-34 in overtime early in the season while posting a 4-1 record on the road with wins at Louisville, Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State. In 1999, the Illini became the first team to win at Ohio State and Michigan in the same season since the 1952 Michigan State squad accomplished the feat.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
The Illini are averaging 37.7 points per contest over the last three games and topped the 40-point mark for the second time in 2001 with a 42-35 win over Wisconsin.
Illinois' passing offense ranks second in the Big Ten and 26th in the nation with a 262.7 yards per game average. Although sophomore Brandon Lloyd has topped 100-yards receiving in five games and has 851 yards through nine, 11 Illini players have hauled in catches for the other 1,513 yards, including junior Walter Young who is averaging 50.7 yards per game.
The receiving duo of sophomore Brandon Lloyd and junior Walter Young rank 10th nationally in touchdown receptions per game (1.11) and ninth in receiving yardage per game (145.3).
F The Illini offensive line has allowed only nine sacks in nine games (1.0 per game), which ranks second in the conference. They have held opponents without a sack in four games (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Louisville and California), including a Wisconsin defense that was averaging 3.5 sacks per contest.
With the loss of junior HB Antoineo Harris to injury, the Illini will rely on senior Rocky Harvey and sophomore FB Carey Davis to estblish the ground attack. Harvey is averaging 44.44 yards per game and has four rushing touchdowns this season. He needs 395 yards in the last three games to become the second all-time leading rusher in Illinois history. Davis, who has been productive in the passing game all season, has been contributing more to the run game during the last four contests. He is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 36.1 yards per game. His three touchdowns this season have all been receptions.
The Illini offense has scored 25 points or more 22 times in the last three seasons (dating back to 1999, 32 games) and has topped the 40-point mark nine times during that same span.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
The Illini defense is second in the Big Ten in sacks with 34 for a loss of 232 yards through nine games. Eighteen Illini defenders have recorded sacks (most in the nation) with linebacker Jerry Schumacher leading the team with five. In addition to the 34 sacks, Illinois has 33 other tackles for loss.
In Illinois' 38-13 win over Purdue, the offense turned the ball over four consecutive series setting up the Purdue offense on an average of the Illinois 28 yardline. The defense allowed a total of only nine yards and six points in four drives. They forced the Boilermakers to punt, kick two field goals and held them scoreless at the 1 yardline.
In the past nine games, the Illini have forced 23 turnovers which ranks 22nd in the nation. The Illini have scored 65 points off turnovers, putting points on the board following 11 of the 23 take-aways.
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 18 of 23 field goals 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 missing field goals against Louisville, sophomore Peter Christofilakos took over as the full-time placekicker and has made 11 of 12 this season and was named a seminfinalist for the Lou Groza Award. Junior college transfer John Gockman is the Illini's long-range kicker hitting 4 of 5 from over 40 yards. Christofilakos and Gockman combined for five field goals in the Illini's win over Wisconsin, tying a school record for field goals in a game. For their effort, they were named Big Ten Special Teams Players of the Week.
Senior punter Steve Fitts is averaging 44.0 yards per punt ranking third in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation. He has increased the team's net punting average from 36.3 last season to 38.1 (third in the Big Ten). He has booted a long of 69 yards this season and has placed 10 inside the 20 yardline.
The Illini have blocked five kicks this season (two punts, two field goals and an extra point). The two field goals came against Northern Illinois when senior DE Terrell Washington got a hand on two potential scores for the Huskies. Washington recorded his third blocked kick when he swatted an extra point attempt at Indiana. Wide receiver Dwayne Smith and safety Nick Piazza have blocked punts for the Illini this year.
Junior punt returner Eugene Wilson ranks sixth in the Big Ten with his 10.5 average yards per punt this season. He broke free for a 46-yard return in the Illini's win at Indiana, taking the return to the Indiana 5 yardline. Wilson ranks third on Illinois' all-time punt return yardage list.
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 nine games, the Illini's average starting field position is on the 34.5 yard line and have started 21 drives in plus territory, while opponents are beginning their drives at the 28 yard line and have started 23 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 seven games: FB Cory Flisakowski, S Taman Jordan, DB Sedrick Davenport, LB Matt Sinclair and LB Brian Schaefering.
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 before moving to defensive end and Hall made his first start at cornerback against Louisville.
Shutting Down the RUN
One of the keys to the Illinois surge atop the Big Ten standings has been the play of its defense, in particular, its play against the run. In the nine games this season, the Illini have shut down their opponent's top-ground gainers and have turned their opponents into one-dimensional offenses. They rank fourth in the conference in rushing defense averaging 132 yards allowed per game after finishing the 2000 season ranked 11th.
PURDUE: Against the 15th-ranked Boilermakers, the Illini allowed only 62 yards rushing and 51 of those yards came on a fake punt. The Illinois "D" also stopped Purdue behind the line of scrimmage a school-record 15 times, including another school-record nine sacks. In that game, nine Illini players recorded tackles for loss.
WISCONSIN: In a game against the Big Ten's top rusher, Anthony Davis, the Illini held the Wisconsin Badger offense to only 126 yards on the ground. The Badgers entered the game averaging 180 yards rushing.
Northern IllinoIS: The Huskies' running back Thomas Hammock entered the game averaging 177 yards rushing per game and the Illinois defense held him to 111 yards on 23 carries, 68 yards shy of his average.
Louisville: UL's top back T.J. Patterson had a season average of 70.3 yards per game which was cut short to only 7 yards on 7 attempts (1 yard per carry). As a team, the Illini held the Cardinals to only 29 yards on the ground, instead of their usual 131 yards per game.
Minnesota: In the two previous meetings with the Gophers, the Illini had given up an average of 365.5 yards rushing. However, the 2001 defense held Minnesota to only 149 yards rushing, more than 50 yards below its season average, while also keeping Tellis Redmon under the 100-yard mark.
Indiana: One week after Indiana tailback Levron Williams rushed for 280 yards, the Illini defense stopped him with 91 yards, while also keeping the team rushing numbers 40 yards below their average.
KITTNER - UNITAS AWARD FINALIST
Kittner was named one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation's best senior quarterback. He is also one of 12 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
Averaging 259.2 yards per game, Kittner leads the Big Ten in passing offense and ranks second in total offense. He also ranks 21st in the nation in total offense.
Kittner, with 37 starts under his belt, has amassed over 7,800 yards passing and 60 touchdowns in his career. His four-touchdown performance against the Badgers gave him Illnois' all-time touchdown pass record, passing Jack Trudeau's 55 from 1983-85. Illini teams are 19-5 when Kittner throws a touchdown pass, dating back to 1999.
With 299 yards passing against Purdue, Kittner posted his 20th career 200-plus passing game. He has also topped 2,300 yards for the second time in his career.
For his career-high 401-yard perfomance against Wisconsin, he was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Kittner is the Big Ten Leader in TD Passes with 17, including touchdowns to seven different receivers. He has also completed 23 passes over 30 yards this season, including a high o67 yards and two 59-yarders.
LLOYD'S BACK AND EARNING HONORS
With 112 yards receiving vs. Purdue, sophomore Brandon Lloyd topped the 100-yard mark for the fifth time this season, marking the first time an Illini receiver has has five 100-yard receiving games since All-American David Williams accomplished the feat in 1985 with six. He also sparked the Illini offense to a 38-13 win over No. 15 Purdue with his 47-yard touchdown reception in the first half.
Lloyd is averaging 94.7 yards per game which ranks third in the Big Ten and 18th in the nation. His 852 total receiving yards also rank 18th nationally.
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 nine games this season, Lloyd has hauled in nine passes over 30-yards bringing his "Big Play" total to 22 in 21 career games played. Here is a list of Lloyd's Big Plays:
BUTKUS NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
Butkus started his 32nd consecutive game for the Illini against Purdue and has helped the Illini become one of the most explosive offenses in the Big Ten. The Illini are second the Big Ten in passing, rank third in total offense and the offensive line has allowed only nine sacks in the first nine games, which ranks second in the Big Ten.
The line has held four defenses without a sack, including All-American Wendell Bryant and the Wisconsin Badgers which came into the game averaging 3.5 sacks per contest. Butkus has 62 knockdowns this season, seven per game.
Illinois senior center Luke Butkus was named to the Scripps Howard preseason All-American team. He has also been selected to the Rimington Award Watch List.
Butkus 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 - ILLINOIS' ALL-TIME LEADING PUNTER
With five punts against Purdue, senior punter Steve Fitts became Illinois' all-time leader in punts, punting yardage and punt average. His seven-punt, 341-yard performance (48.7) against Penn State pushed him into the Big Ten career punting list with 237 punts and 9,949 yards for ninth in both categories.
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 a season average of 44.0 and has landed 10 punts inside the 20 yardline with a net punting average of 38.1 yards in 2001.
With a 48.7 punting average against Penn State, Fitts has averaged over 40 yards a punt in 30 career games.
CONVERTED QUARTERBACKS
Three starters on this Fighting Illini team - WR Walter Young, CB Christian Morton and TE Brian Hodges - came to Illinois as quarterbacks and are now making an impact at different positions.
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 456 yards on 30 catches and four 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 nine games he has returned two interceptions for touchdowns, broken up 21 passes (2nd in the Big Ten) and has 52 tackles (4th on the team).
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 six starts this season. He has four catches this season, two for touchdowns, including the game-tying catch against Wisconsin.
THE CHAMPAIGN BEARS
On Oct. 22, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Chicago Bears formed a partnership in which Memorial Stadium and the community of Champaign-Urbana will serve as the home site for all Bears games during the 2002 season, while Soldier Field undergoes renovations. The Chicago Bears and Illinois athletics have a long-standing tradition which dates back to the Bears founder, George Halas, who was also an Illinois alum. The Bears got their Orange and Blue colors from the Illini. Some of the greatest names in Illinois athletics are also synonomous with Bears' excellence as well - Red Grange and Dick Butkus. Both players have had their Illinois and Bears jerseys retired.
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, r-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. Wide receiver Aaron Moorehead won the league's batting title.
