Aug. 30, 2003

Recap?|? Final Stats?|? Quotes

1. Illinois true-freshman running back E.B. Halsey rushed for ?? yards in the opener vs. Missouri, marking the first time in the school's published records that a true-freshman topped 100-yards in his first collegiate game. It is also the first 100-yard game for a true-freshman running back since Rocky Harvey did so twice in 1998.
2. Illinois came out for the Missouri game dressed in all orange. It is the first time, the Illini have sported orange jerseys in the Ron Turner era and first since the 1979 season when Gary Moeller's teams wore orange tops for home contests.
3. Illinois true-freshman Lonnie Hurst was in the starting lineup at wide receiver, marking the first time an Illinois player made a start in his first collegiate game, since the 1980 season when four players made starts in the season opener.
4. Once ruled out for the game, senior (St. Louis-native) fullback Carey Davis entered the game in the third offensive series for the Illini.
5. Illinois placekicker John Gockman tied a career-high against Missouri with three field goals made (44, 48, 31). He connected on three field goals against Ohio State on Nov. 16, 2002.
6. Illinois roster newcomers saw their first time in an Illini jersey in today's opener: WR Lonnie Hurst, WR Kelvin Hayden, RB E.B. Halsey.
7. The attendance for the opener is 63,576 improving from last year's mark of 61,876.