Sept. 4, 2004

1. The following players made their first collegiate appearances against Florida A&M today: WR DaJuan Warren, PK Jason Reda, QB Brad Bower, WR Spencer Jensen, DB Drew McMahon, DB Charles Bailey, DB Justin Harrison, DB Brock Bolen, DL James Stevenson, LB Russ Weil, DB Kevin Mitchell, DB Tyler Rouse, LB J Leman, LS Kyle Knezetic, LB Anthony Thornhill, LB Joe Mele, DL Jay Ramshaw, OL Martin O'Donnell, DL Josh Norris, OL Jim LaBonte, OL Kevin Gage, OL James Ryan, WR Franklin Payne, WR Frank Lenti, DL Charles Myles, DL Chris Norwell.

2. The following are true-freshmen playing in their first collegiate game - Reda, Bailey, Harrison, Bolen, Weil, Knezetic.

3. True-freshman placekicker Jason Reda made a 35-yard field goal at the 13:04 mark of the second quarter, marking the first time an Illini true-freshman kicker played in his first collegiate game since Dave Finzer in 1977. He was also 7-for-7 in extra point attempts. His 10 points scored today were the most for a true-freshman since Dan Beaver scored 15 points against Purdue in 1973.

4. Quarterback Jon Beutjer finished the day 16-of-18 for 228 yards and one touchdown, which marks a career-best in completion percentage for the senior. His passing efficiency of 213.6 is the sixth-best in school history and his second-highest, following a 247.8 day against Arkansas State in 2002. Beutjer's touchdown gave him 32 for his career, passing Jeff George (31 touchdowns) for sixth-best in Illinois history.

5. Beutjer completed a 52-yard pass to junior wide receiver Kendrick Jones for the first 50-plus yard pass since Kelvin Hayden and Beutjer connected for 72 yards against California on Sept. 20, 2003.

6. Jones set a career-high with his first career 100-yard game with his 101 yards against Florida A&M. It was the first 100-yard receiving game for the Illini since the 119 by Eric McGoey versus Iowa on Nov. 1, 2003.

7. Sophomore running back Pierre Thomas broke free for a 60-yard run in the second quarter, the longest since Antoineo Harris' 82-yard rush against Purdue on Oct. 12, 2002.

8. Thomas rushed for 143 yards, marking his first career 100-yard game and the last 100-yard game since Marcus Mason rushed for 102 yards at Indiana on Nov. 8, 2003.

9. Running backs E.B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas both rushed for two touchdowns against Florida A&M. It is the first time two running backs have each scored twice since the Micronpc.com Bowl when Rocky Harvey and Steve Havard each had two rushing scores.

10. Sophomore tight end Melvin Bryant caught his first career touchdown pass on a two-yard reception at the 7:34 mark of the second quarter.

11. Fullback Jason Davis' 11-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the first of his Illinois career.

12. Senior cornerback Kelvin Hayden intercepted two passes today against FAMU, marking the first two-interception day by an Illini since Ty Myers had two picks against Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2001. The two interceptions today ties the team season high in 2003. His 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter was the first interception return for a touchdown by an Illinois player since Travis Williams' 32-yard return versus Northwestern on Nov. 22, 2003.

13. The Illini topped the 50-point mark against the Rattlers with 52 points scored, the most since the 59-7 victory over Arkansas State on Sept. 14, 2002.

14. Illinois' 39-point margin of victory was its largest margin of victory since its 59-7 (52 points) win over Arkansas State in 2002.

15. Illinois' total net yardage of 554 yards marked the first time the Illini topped 500 net total yards in a game since gaining 504 yards against Wisconsin on Nov. 9, 2002.

16. Florida A&M's 71 yards rushing was the lowest rushing total for an Illinois opponent since Indiana's 81 yards rushing on Oct. 26, 2002.