Illinois Footballers Sharp on Day 7
August 16, 2001 | Football
Aug. 16, 2001
The University of Illinois football team resumed two-a-day practices on Thursday in the seventh day of preseason training camp. In addition to individual and team drills, the team worked on two-minute and goal line action.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSIVE LINE: The success of the defense in 1999 rested in the defensive line's ability to rotate fresh bodies during the fouth quarter of games. In 2000, injuries to the front four was the cause of a subpar run defense. Depth was the key for new line coach Donnie Thompson, whose resume includes four defensive line first round draft picks in his career. Anchoring the line will be senior captain tackle Brandon Moore, who has been a starter for the Illini since his true-freshman season. Great competion continues at both end positions between senior Terrell Washington and sophomore Derrick Strong at one end position and between sophomores Mike O'Brien and Jemari Perry as well as senior Robby Long. In addition to Moore, junior Brett Kautter will look to lock up the starting job at the other tackle position. Pushing for playing time behind Moore and Kautter are Illini Rookie of the Year Charles Gilstrap, sophomore Jeff Ruffin and juco transfer Jamie Hanton. Listen to comments from senior defensive end Robby Long on www.fightingillini.com.
ILLINI STREET FEST BANDS SET FOR 2001: UI Hosts College Football Hall of Fame, Sept. 8: University of Illinois fans will have a unique opportunity to experience the pageantry of college football prior to the UI vs. Northern Illinois game, Sept. 8. The College Football Hall of Fame "Road Show" will make an appearance at Illini Street Fest Presented by Chevys Fresh Mex. The Road Show is actually a 38-foot RV that the College Football Hall of Fame has transformed into a traveling museum full of displays, photos and memorabilia from its home in South Bend, Ind.
Upon entering the Road Show, fans will be able to view uniforms, equipment, balls, trophies and other artifacts that represent the permanent displays in the Hall of Fame. In addition, there will be an interactive kiosks and video displays covering memorable plays and players throughout the history of college football.
The Road Show, which is free to the public, has traveled across the country since July, 1999. It makes stops at different colleges each Saturday of the football season. The Park Inn International and Illini Conference Center is sponsoring the Road Shows' appearance in Champaign.
