Reggie Returns: A Lot on the Mind of Maryland Native Corbin
October 23, 2018 | Football
by Logan Hanson
FightingIllini.com
When the Illini travel to College Park, Maryland, on Saturday to play the University of Maryland in the first-ever matchup between the two programs, it will have more significance for one Illini player. Junior running back Reggie Corbin, who will play his first game against his home-state team. For Corbin, who grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, it is going to be a return to a place that is very familiar to him.
"It's not really a road game, this is a home game for me," said Corbin. "I'm pretty sure I'll feel at home and my entire family will be there. It'll be like playing in the backyard."
Going against Maryland means that Corbin will see a lot of familiar faces. Besides the over 50 family members cheering for him during the game, Corbin will also play against many friends from back home including junior cornerback Marcus Lewis who played with Corbin at Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C.
"He's been my best friend since high school, he's like my brother," said Corbin. "We've been talking about this since summer. It's good that I'm still close with those guys, but I've grown up going against those guys and playing with those guys. We just want each other to do well, not too well of course, but stay healthy and keep progressing and keep getting better."
Corbin will bring plenty of firepower with him in his return, as he has given the Illini offense electric plays throughout the season. Corbin ranks first in the Big Ten averaging 7.89 yards per carry and is second in the nation with five plays of 50+ yards and two plays of over 70 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run last week against Wisconsin. The run gave Corbin the tenth-longest run in program history and was the longest run for the team since 2007.
"I had no idea at first, but it was definitely an honor," said Corbin. "Being put up there with those guys, man that's a blessing. My kids can see that one day and their kids. I was really happy about that."
Although Corbin will have plenty of support from friends and family, there will be one person missing for Corbin. Corbin's mother Patricia Brown passed away in 2008 from complications after thyroid surgery. Corbin tweeted about his mother and the game Saturday saying, "Every day that goes by I miss my mom more and more. We go to Maryland this week and I know she would've been there to cheer me on. Love you Ma, I know you'll be cheering in spirit." This adds an extra layer to Corbin's game and he knows that she will be supporting him.
Every day that goes by I miss my mom more and more. We go to Maryland this week and I know she would've been there to cheer me on. Love you Ma, I know you'll be cheering in spirit ??
— Reggie Corbin (@JuicedUpReg) October 21, 2018
"It's always tough to easily say that if my mom was alive she would definitely be at the game," said Corbin. "So it'll be nice. I will probably leave a ticket for her, I usually leave a ticket for her for every game. But I will probably get there and do what I usually do, thank her for everything she's done, say thank you to my dad like I always do and my family for being there, play as hard as I can for her. That's all that really matters."
This game may be the first against Maryland for the Illini but no other Illini will be treating it quite like number two come Saturday. If the season has been any indication, Corbin will make his family and his mom proud when he plays back home.
