Sept. 8, 2003
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FOR OPENERS
Illinois is playing in the Rose Bowl for the fifth time in school history,
with the previous four appearances coming in the Rose Bowl game itself
following Big Ten championships in 1946, 1951, 1963 and 1983. The Illini are
3-1 in the Rose Bowl with wins over UCLA (1/1/47),
Stanford (1/1/51) and Washington (1/1/63) and the loss coming to UCLA
(1/2/84).
Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer has completed passes to 10 different
receivers in the first two games, with nine different players having at
least two receptions. With his 207 yards passing vs. Illinois State, he
amassed the 3,000-yard mark in career passing which ranks ninth on the
Illinois all-time passing list (with only nine starts under his belt). He
needs just 152 yards to move to eighth.
After two games, the Illini are outrushing opponents 190.5 yards to 123.5
yards per game.
Illinois has converted on 54 percent (15-28) of third-down situations.
Fast starts ... Illinois has outscored its first two opponents 24-7 in the
first quarter.
True-freshman running back E.B. Halsey jumped onto the college football
scene with a stunning 222 all-purpose yards vs. Missouri in his first game
as an Illini. He rushed for 139 yards, marking the first time in school
history a true-freshman topped the 100-yard mark in the season opener. After
rushing for 73 yards vs. Illinois State, Halsey is averaging 106.0 yards per
game and 5.3 yards per rush with 40 carries. He has yet to be thrown for
negative yardage on a carry. Halsey is second on the team with nine catches
after two games. He is 21st in the nation in all-purpose yardage (157.00
avg.) and 27th in rushing average.
Illinois running backs are averaging 5.1 yards per carry with each of
Illinois' top three runners breaking off runs of at least 30 yards in the
first two games. True-freshman E.B. Halsey leads the Illini with 212 yards
and a long run of 30 yards. Junior Morris Virgil has rushed
for 79 yards and a 6.1 average and true-freshman Pierre Thomas is third on
the squad with 78 yards on just nine carries for an 8.7 average. Both Thomas
and Virgil have ripped off 35-yard runs.
Head Coach Ron Turner moved into sole possession of fourth place on the
Illini all-time coaching victory list with the 49-22 win over Illinois
State. Turner's 33 wins are 14 behind Mike White (47 from 1980-87).
4 Senior placekicker Jon Gockman is a perfect 5-5 in field-goal attempts
this season and has a streak of six straight dating back to a missed
59-yarder vs. Ohio State last season. Three of his five field goals have
been at least 40-yards, including a season-long 48-yarder vs. Missouri.
Gockman ranks fourth in the nation with 2.50 field goals per game.
Quarterback John Beutjer has completed 70 percent of his passes (47-67) in
his first two games of the season with five touchdowns and just one
interception. He is averaging 245.5 yards per game, up from a Big
Ten-leading 228.3 yards per game in 2002. Beutjer is 29th in
the nation in passing efficiency (153.35) and 35th in total offense (247.50
avg.)
The Illini had four receivers from the 2002 team make NFL rosters one week
ago <>Brandon Lloyd saw significant playing time with the 49ers in the
season opener with a blocked punt. Walter Young is No. 2 on the depth chart
in Carolina, while Illini back-ups Aaron Moorehead and Greg Lewis both made
the 53-man roster. Moorehead is with Indianapolis and Lewis is in
Philadelphia.
ILLINOIS/UCLA AND ROSE BOWL NOTES
Illinois is 5-4 all-time vs. UCLA, including a 3-2 mark in games played in
California. The teams have split the two meetings at the Rose Bowl with the
Illini winning the 1947 matchup and Bruins taking the 1984 Rose Bowl in
Illinois' last trip to Pasadena.
Illinois head coach Ron Turner is 4-0 vs. teams from California during his
seven-year career at the UI with two wins coming against both California and
San Diego State. The Illini are 2-0 in California under Turner with wins at
San Diego State in 2000 and at California in 2001. Turner is 2-2 vs. the
Pac-10 while at Illinois with two wins vs. Cal and two losses vs. Washington
State.
Illinois is 26-39 all-time vs. the Pac-10, including a 3-2 mark vs.
conference schools in bowl games. The Illini and Bruins have met three times
in bowl games, with the Illini winning the 1947 Rose Bowl 45-14, and the
Bruins taking the 1984 Rose Bowl (45-9) and 1991 Sun Bowl (6-3).
Ron Turner is the fifth different UI coach to face UCLA in 10 meetings
since the first in 1947. Turner spent nine years as an assistant coach in
the Pac-10 with Stanford, USC and Arizona. During that time, his teams
posted a 5-3 record vs. UCLA.
This 2003 season marks the 20th anniversary of Illinois' last trip to the
Rose Bowl. The 1983 squad lost its first game of the season to Missouri,
28-18, in Columbia, but went on to run the table winning its last 10 games
of the regular season. UCLA was the only other loss for the Illini that
season. Illinois went a perfect 9-0 in the conference season to become the
only Big Ten team to beat every other team in the league in a single season.
The Illini have won two Big Ten titles since 1983, but were edged out by
Iowa for the bid in 1990 when the conference had a four-way tie for the
title. Illinois won the outright conference title in 2001 and was sent to
the Nokia Sugar Bowl when the Rose Bowl was the national championship game.
Illinois radio network expert analyst Jim Grabowski was the MVP of the
1964 Rose Bowl after rushing for 125 yards and scoring a touchdown in the
17-7 win.
THE COACHES' CORNER
Ron Turner, Illinois ? (32-39 in his seventh year at Illinois, 39-43
overall, 19-29 in the Big Ten). Turner has never faced UCLA and Saturday's
meeting will be the fifth against a Pac-10 opponent in his seven-year stint
(2-0 vs. CAL; 0-2 vs. Washington State).
Turner earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2001 after leading
Illinois to the Big Ten championship and a trip to the Nokia Sugar Bowl and
its first 10-win season since 1989. The league title was the Illini's first
since 1990.
Turner has served as quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator or head
coach since 1981. During that time he coached quarterbacks such as Jeff
Garcia, Erik Kramer, Jim Harbaugh, Sean Salisbury, Rodney Peete and Kurt
Kittner.
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 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.
KARL DORRELL, UCLA - (0-1 in his first season as a head coach at UCLA and
at the collegiate level.) Dorrell is in his first season at UCLA after
serving three years as an assistant coach for the Denver Broncos in the NFL.
The Bruins lost their first game of the season, and Dorrell era, 16-14 at
Colorado Saturday. Dorrell played against the Illini in the 1984 Rose Bowl,
making five catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Dorrell's previous
collegiate stops as an assistant coach include UCLA (1988), Central Florida
(1989), Northern Arizona (1990-91), Colorado (1992-93), Arizona State
(1994), Colorado (1995-98) and Washington (1999).
GENERAL TEAM NOTES
Due to the loss of Illinois' top four receivers from a year ago to
graduation and the professional ranks, two newcomers started the 2003 opener
against Missouri. Those rookies were junior college transfer Kelvin Hayden
and true-freshman Lonnie Hurst. Hurst became the first true-freshman
receiver to ever start in the first game of his career. He is the first
true-freshman position player to start in the season opener since 1980 when
four brand new players were in the Game 1 starting line up (DE Terry Cole,
DT Mark Butkus, OG Bob Stowe, DB Dave Edwards). Punter Steve Fitts took over
duties in his first collegiate game in 1998.
Senior quarterback Jon Beutjer (Davey O'Brien) and senior defensive end
Derrick Strong (Ted Hendricks) were named to preseason award watch lists.
The Illini replaced two assistant coaches in the offseason, adding running
backs coach Dan Roushar and cornerback coach Tommy Thigpen. Roushar is
joining the Illini for the second time in his career (1995-96
quarterbacks/offensive tackles/tight ends), while Thigpen was reunited with
his college (North Carolina) coach Donnie Thompson. With the addition of
Thigpen, the defensive staff made some moves, switching former Butkus Award
finalist Mike Mallory to his natural position of linebackers coach.
Defensive coordinator Mike Cassity slid over to coach the safeties.
The Illini had its best showing in the NFL Draft in 2003 as five Illini
were selected on April 26-27, the most since the league went to the
seven-round format. Among the draftees were CB Eugene Wilson (2nd, New
England); WR Brandon Lloyd (4th, San Francisco); OL Dave Diehl (5th, NY
Giants); OL Tony Pashos (5th, Baltimore) and WR Walter Young (7th,
Carolina).
Offensive Team Notes
Since the 1999 season, the Illini have taken full advantage of head coach
Ron Turner's pro-style offense, putting up gaudy numbers that always have
the squad ranked among the best in the nation. Consistently over the past
four-plus seasons, Illinois has averaged 415 yards per game of total offense
and just over 30 points per contest.
Through two games this season, three running backs have emerged as
potential game breakers, which could mean a run-game by committee for the
Illini. In the season opener, true-freshman E.B. Halsey scampered for 139
yards, the first true-freshman in school history to top the 100-yard mark in
his first collegiate game. Against the Redbirds of ISU, Halsey, junior
Morris Virgil and true-freshman Pierre Thomas combined for 235 yards and an
average of 6.2 yards per carry. Virgil led all rushers with 84 yards on nine
carries for a 9.3 yard per rush average.
The Illinois rushing game has topped 1,700 yards in each of the last four
seasons, the most in four consecutive seasons since the 1971-1975 seasons.
The Illini have averaged 1,886 yards per season from 1999-2002. During that
time, former running backs Rocky Harvey and Antoineo Harris both rushed
themselves into the school's Top-5 all-time rushing list. Currently, the
Illini are averaging 190.5 yards peg game.
With the 49-point performance over Illinois State last weekend, the
Illinois offense recorded its 13th 40-plus game under head coach Ron Turner.
Illinois has posted 40 or more points on 11 occassions, 50-plus once and had
a high of 63 points against Virginia in the 1999 Micronpc.com Bowl.
Senior quarterback Jon Beutjer passed for 207 yards to bring his career
total to the 3,000-yard mark in only nine starts. In two seasons, he has
averaged 250.1 yards per game. He currently ranks ninth on the Illinois
all-time passing list.
Illinois set two opening day records against Missouri as Halsey rushed for
139 yards, topping the 128 yards by Antoineo Harris vs. Middle Tennessee in
2000, and Beutjer completed 31 passes, four more than Jeff George's
27-completion performance vs. USC in 1989.
FRESHMEN STARTERS
Although true-freshman wide receiver Lonnie Hurst was the first position
player to ever start his collegiate opener during the Ron Turner era, many
incoming freshmen have made the starting lineup in their first season. Last
year, safety Travis Williams jumped into the lineup against Michigan, the
fifth game of the season and made six starts throughout the season. In 1998,
quarterback Kurt Kittner was thrown into the fire for five starts, which
groomed him for a stellar sophomore campaign. Punter Steve Fitts started in
every game since his opener in 1998 and left campus holding every Illinois
career punting record. In 1999, recruited cornerback turned wide receiver
Brandon Lloyd made seven starts, breaking the freshman receiving record with
511 yards that year. In the same season, free safety Marc Jackson made one
start. One of the toughest positions to master in just one training camp,
offensive guard Ray Redziniak made seven starts on a veteran-depleted line
in 1997, along with fellow teammate strong safety Bobby Jackson who saw five
starts at strong safety.
Defensive Team Notes
Illinois defensive end Derrick Strong and safety Eric McGoey lead the team
with three tackles for loss, which ranks second in the Big Ten.
Freshman cornerback Darnell Ray recorded four passes broken up in a game
against Illinois State, which ties for fourth on the Illinois single-game
PBU list. He also ranks third in the Big Ten in the same category.
Senior linebacker Ty Myers posted his second two-turnover performance this
weekend vs. Illinois State. He forced two Redbird fumbles which resulted in
seven points. The last time he had two turnovers was against Ohio State in
2001 when he had two interceptions, one for a touchdown.
The Illini defense held the Missouri Tigers to only 223 yards of total
offense, the lowest total for an Illinois opponent since 1999 when Arkansas
State gained 178. They also stopped Mizzou quarterback Brad Smith with only
168 yards (66 rushing, 102 passing), which is an improvement from the 290
yards gained a year ago, while also keeping him far below his 2002 average
of 280 yards per game.
Special Teams Notes
Senior placekicker John Gockman currently ranks fourth in the country and
first in the Big Ten after booting five field goals through two games.
Gockman has connected on field goals of 48, 44, 40, 31 and 28 yards for a
perfect 5-for-5 performance. His three field goals vs. Missouri tied a
career-high previously set against Ohio State last season. He is currently
15-of-19 for his three-year career (.789), but most impressivly 13 of those
15 made are from 40-plus yardage.
Sophomore Steve Weatherford took over punting duties against Illinois
State and averaged 45.0 yards on three kicks, including a 51-yarder.
Although none of the three landed inside the 20, the ISU starting field
position of punts was at the 21.7 yard line and only one was returnable (3
yards).
The Illinois special teams units has blocked 12 kicks in 26 games dating
back to the 2001 season. The Illini got their 12th last weekend against
Illinois State with a blocked 49-yard field goal attempt by defensive end
Derrick Strong, the third blocked kick of his career. In 2001, the Big Ten
Championship season, the Illini set a school record with three blocked
punts, two extra points and two field goals. Last season, Christian Morton
batted down a 16-yard field goal attempt and Strong got a hand on an extra
point attempt vs. Missouri. Brian Brosnan blocked a punt which was recovered
by Kendrick Jones in the endzone for the score vs. Arkansas State and Strong
blocked his second extra point of the season in the first quarter against
Penn State.
The Illini got their first special teams touchdown of the year against
Illinois State when defensive end Derrick Strong blocked a 49-yard field
goal attempt and sophomore safety Travis Williams recovered the live ball
returning it 66 yards for the score. It was Williams' second special teams
touchdown of his career after taking a kickoff 90-yards into the endzone in
2002 vs. Purdue.
RECEIVERS LOOK TO 1999 FOR INSPIRATION
The Illini lost their top-four receivers from a year ago, returning only
one catch among the active wideouts (Kendrick Jones 1-12 vs. Indiana). The
receiver situation mirrors the 1999 season when the team had only one
receiver who had seen collegiate action. In addition to senior Michael Dean,
who had only caught 25 career passes for 412 yards, Illinois used
true-freshman converted cornerback Brandon Lloyd, converted quarterback
Walter Young and walk-ons Greg Lewis and Aaron Moorehead that season. The
team went on to break the school's scoring record and snap a four-year
bowl-appearance drought. Additionally, Lloyd, Young, Lewis and Moorehead are
all listed in the career receiving lists and made NFL rosters this season.
This year's starters, junior college transfer Kelvin Hayden and
true-freshman Lonnie Hurst, are new to the roster this season. However,
quarterback Jon Beutjer has connected with 10 different players for catches
and four different players have caught TD passes. In addition to receivers
Hayden, Hurst, juniors Mark Kornfeld and Ade Adeyemo, he has gotten the ball
to running backs Carey Davis, E.B. Halsey, Brad Haywood and Jason Davis and
tight ends Anthony McClellan and Melvin Bryant.
BEATING THE ODDS
Starting middle linebacker Matt Sinclair shocked doctors when he reported
to 2003 training camp just one week after being in intensive care in a St.
Louis hospital. Sinclair was diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a
tick-borne disease, which had him in the hospital with a 107.5 fever. Less
than a month after the near-death experience, Sinclair was starting at
linebacker in St. Louis against Missouri in the season opener.
Sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Matha had just been named the starter for
the upcoming game vs. Indiana last season. During a mid-week practice, he
got caught underneath a pile tearing all three knee ligaments. His rehab
included two surgeries and months of therapy. Once diagnosed as potentially
a career-ending injury, Matha returned to the field for the season opener
against Missouri.
Despite having his knee scoped on Monday, Aug. 25, senior fullback Carey
Davis made his way back to the lineup vs. Missouri that same week defying
doctor's odds. Not only did he play, beginning with the third offensive
series, but he led the team with 10 catches. Davis' procedure took place on
Monday and he returned to action in practice two days later. He then got a
staph infection in the open wound and missed the home opener against
Illinois State.
Two years ago, punter Matt Minnes contracted Lemierre's Syndrome after
bacteria got in his blood stream through a cut in his mouth. He was in the
hospital for two weeks with stints in ICU when 106-degree fevers were
sporadic. He lost a total of 25 pounds and experienced complications which
kept him away from the football team for the majority of the 2001 season. He
then returned to win the starting punting job in 2002.
ILLINI ITEMS
On Aug. 27, Illinois three-time NCAA Champion trackster Perdita Felicien
became a world champion after setting a new Canadian record in the 100-meter
hurdles in 12.53 in Paris, France. Her feat marks possibly the greatest
moment in Illinois women's sports history.
Last week, Illinois' 2003 NCAA Champion men's tennis team was well
represented at the U.S. Open in New York as national singles champion Amer
Delic, national doubles champions Rajeev Ram and Brian Wilson, as well as
Primod Dabir all earned wild cards into the main draw.
On Aug. 25, the United States Postal Services unveiled the ?Early Footall
Heroes? commemorative stamps, which honors Illini great Harold ?Red? Grange.
On Aug. 8, the Postal Service issed a stamp honoring Grange, along with
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