SATURDAY'S PROMOTIONS
• Senior Day – Nine Fighting Illini seniors will be honored prior to the game.
• Good Works Day Day – Honoring the good works being done in underserved areas of our state by non-profits and inspiring individuals.
• Tailgating at Grange Grove – 11:30 am-2:30 pm (Interactive games, food trucks and live music)
• Illini Walk – 12:15 pm through Grange Grove
OPENING KICK
• Final Drive: The Fighting Illini (4-6 overall, 2-5 B1G West) welcome the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-4) to Memorial Stadium on Saturday to close out the home slate (2:30 pm on Big Ten Network).
• Senior Send-off: Saturday's game will mark the final home game for nine Illini seniors. Nick Allegretti, AJ Bush Jr., Mike Dudek, Zac Holman, Sam Mays, Chase McLaughlin, Shaedon Meadors, Del'Shawn Phillips and Austin Roberts will be recognized on the field at Memorial Stadium prior to the game.
• No Punt November: In the month of November, the Illini lead the nation in rushing yards (813), rushing yards per carry (9.68) and rushing touchdowns (10). The offense ranks fourth in yards per play (8.62) and sixth total yards (1,155), while punting just six times.
• Running Wild: The Illini are averaging 262.8 rushing yards per game, good for eighth-best in FBS and currently second on the Illinois season rushing average list behind only the school record of 275.7 in 1953. This year's squad is averaging 157.2 yards per game more than last season (105.6), the biggest improvement in the nation from last year to this year.
• Big Play Run Game: The Illini running game is not only one of the best in the nation, it's also very explosive.
» Ranks fifth in the nation in yards per carry (6.29) and third in yards per carry in conference games (6.93), behind only Pittsburgh (7.63) and Clemson (7.07).
» Leads FBS in runs of 80+ yards (1), 70+ yards (5), 40+ yards (14) and 30+ yards (30). Ranks second in runs 60+ yards (6) and third in 50+ yard runs (8).
» Ran for 430 yards last time out against Minnesota on 35 carries (12.3 ypc), the eight-best rushing performance in program history, then followed that up with 383 yards on the ground at Nebraska (7.8 ypc).
» Illinois had three 70+ yard runs against Minnesota, a feat accomplished only once before in 129 years of football – 9/16/1944 vs. Illinois-Normal (now Illinois State).
» Reggie Corbin's 80-yard touchdown run at Wisconsin tied for the 10th-longest run in Illinois history. It was the longest run by an Illini since Daniel Dufrene ran for 80 yards at Ohio State on 11/10/2007.
» Illinois has had 10 100-yard rushing performances in 10 games – four by RB Reggie Corbin, four by QB A.J. Bush Jr., and two by RB Mike Epstein. Last season, the Illini had one 100-yard rushing game.
• Runnin' Reggie: Junior RB Reggie Corbin has been the Illini's home run hitter this season.
» Has 1,011 rushing yards this season, the 13th 1,000-yard rushing season in Illinois history and the first since Mikel Leshoure ran for an Illinois record 1,697 yards in 2010.
» Ran for a career-high 213 yards on 13 carries (16.4 ypc) and two touchdowns (72 and 77 yards) in the win over Minnesota. It was the eighth-best rushing performance in Illini history and the best since 2010.
» Ranks second nationally and first in the Big Ten in yards per carry (8.87).
» Ranks 16th in FBS and second in the B1G in rushing yards with 1,011.
» Is averaging 10.01 yards per carry in conference games and 9.31 yards per carry on the road. Both lead the nation for any players with at least 10 carries per game.
» Leads FBS in runs of 80+ yards (1), 70+ yards (4), 60+ yards (5) and 50+ yards (7). Ranks second in FBS in runs of 40+ yards (7) and 30+ yards (9), and third in runs of 20+ yards (14).
» Has four 100-yard games, all against Big Ten foes – 213 vs. Minnesota (11/3), 155 at Maryland (10/27), 137 at Rutgers (10/6), 100 at Wisconsin (10/20).
• Record Breaker: Senior QB AJ Bush Jr. ran for 187 yards and three touchdowns at Nebraska, breaking Juice Williams' record for single-game rushing yards by a quarterback (174 vs. Eastern Illinois 9/6/2008).
• Chase McLongkick: Senior K Chase McLaughlin has emerged as one of the best long-range kickers in the nation.
» Leads Big Ten and 10th in FBS in field goals made per game (1.70), hitting 17-of-22 on the season.
» Leads the Big Ten and ranks 21st in FBS in scoring average (8.6 ppg) and is 18th in total points scored (86).
» Leads the nation in 50+ field goals made (4, tied with two others) and 40+ field goals made (9, tied with UTSA's Jared Sackett) this season.
» Already owns Illinois single season (4) and career (5) records for most 50+-yard field goals made.
» Has as many 50+ field goals this season (4) as the rest of the Big Ten kickers combined (4).
• Take Your Pick: Illinois has been among the top teams in the nation in interceptions all season.
» The Illini's 14 interceptions is tied for sixth in FBS and ranks second in the Big Ten (16, Maryland).
» A pair of Illini are tied for 21st in FBS and third in the Big Ten in interceptions – CB Jartavius Martin and LB Del'Shawn Phillips with three picks each.
» Ten different Illini have at least one interception on the season.
HOMEGROWN O-LINE
The starting offensive line consists of all players from Illinois. The group of senior Nick Allegretti (Frankford, Ill.), redshirt freshman Kendrick Green (Peoria, Ill.), sophomore Doug Kramer (Hinsdale, Ill.), sophomore Vederian Lowe (Rockford, Ill.) and sophomore Alex Palczewski (Mount Prospect, Ill.) have started all 10 games and have played a majority of the snaps together, paving the way for Illinois' potent rushing attack (262.8 yards per game, eighth-best in FBS), the most improved in the nation (+157.2 ypg).
GETTING OFFENSIVE
The revamped Illinois offense, directed by new offensive coordinator Rod Smith, has made huge improvements in 2018. The Illini have made huge jumps in the national rankings from 2017 to 2018 in several key offensive categories, including a 100+ jump in rushing offense (+114) and a 90+ jump in big rushing plays (+94).
QUICK STRIKE O
The revamped Illini offense has shown its explosiveness with 16 scoring drives of less than a minute this season, third-most in FBS behind only Utah State and Alabama. Twelve of the 16 drives have come against Big Ten competition and 10 have spanned 30 seconds or less. In 2017, the Illini had four sub-one minute drives all season.
Most Scoring Drives Under One Minute
Utah State – 24
Alabama – 21
Illinois – 16
Clemson – 16
LOVIE BALL
Takeaways have long been a staple of Lovie Smith defenses. That trend continues this year.
» The Illini rank sixth in FBS and second in the Big Ten in interceptions with 14.
» The defense ranks 16th nationally and second in the Big Ten in turnovers gained with 19.
» Illinois has forced at least one turnover 23 of their last 24 games. The Illini's streak of 21 straight games forcing a turnover ended Oct. 27 at Maryland. At the time it was the longest active streak among Power 5 conference teams. They've forced two turnovers in each of the last two games since the streak ended.
» The defense has at least two takeaways in eight of 10 games this season (1 vs. Purdue, 0 at Maryland).
THE ILLINOIS-IOWA SERIES
• Saturday will be the 74th meeting between the Illini and Hawkeyes in a series that dates back to 1899.
• Illinois and Iowa did not play a game from 1953-1966 because of a fight following the 1952 game.
• Illinois leads the all-time series 38-33-2 and holds a 20-14 edge against the Hawkeyes in Champaign.
• Iowa has won five straight meetings dating back to 2008, tying their longest streak in the series (5, 2003-07).
• Illinois led Iowa 13-10 late in the second quarter in Iowa City last season, before Iowa took the lead just before halftime and pulled away with 21 points in the fourth quarter for a 45-16 win. Illini RB Mike Epstein had seven carries for 83 yards before being sidelined with an injury, an injury that led to the end of Epstein's freshman season.
• Iowa shut out Illinois, 28-0, at Memorial Stadium in the Hawkeyes' last trip to Champaign in 2016. Wes Lunt finished 19-of-41 for 137 yards and Zach Grant caught eight passes for 65 yards.
• The Illini's last win in the series was a 27-24 victory in Champaign on Nov. 1, 2008. Matt Eller kicked a 46-yardfield goal with 24 seconds left and Illinois withstood Iowa's fourth-quarter comeback. Illinois sacked Ricky Stanzi six times, scoring a touchdown on one of them when DB Dere Hicks forced a fumble, scooped up the ball and ran in for 24-9 lead in the third quarter. The 2008 win snapped Iowa's five-game winning streak against Illinois.
SAINT NICK
Senior OL Nick Allegretti is having another big year on and off the field in his final season in orange and blue.
» Pro Football Focus Midseason All-Big Ten First Team with the second-best grade for an offensive guard (76.7).
» Allegretti has made 34 consecutive starts and has played all but five snaps this season, leading a young offensive line that features three sophomores and a RS freshman in the starting unit and has paved the way for one of the most potent offenses in the nation. The only snaps Allegretti has missed were the final drives against Western Illinois and Minnesota when Illinois led by 20+.
» Named one of five national finalists for the Rare Disease Champion Award, presented by Uplifting Athletes. The winner will be announced at the Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6.
» Named a candidate for virtually every national community service award – Senior CLASS Award, Campbell Trophy, Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works Team.
» Is the team's Uplifting Athletes chapter president and Lift for Life organizer, helping raise over $86,000 for rare disease research and awareness the last two years. Also active in the Tom Jones Challenger Baseball League.
» Played 760 of 762 offensive snaps in 2017 (99.7%), most on the team, and led the team with 782 snaps in 2016.
» Voted a team captain in both 2018 and 2017, Allegretti was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick last year.
CAN'T CATCH CORBIN
Junior RB Reggie Corbin is thriving in offensive coordinator Rod Smith rushing attack.
» Ranks second in the Big Ten, 16th in FBS and 12th on the UI season rushing list with 1,011 rushing yards.
» Ranks third in the Big Ten and 36th in FBS with nine rushing touchdowns, already tied for 10th-most in a season at Illinois.
» In Big Ten games he's been even better, rushing for 110.1 yards per game, six touchdowns, and a ridiculous 10.01 yards per carry, the most of any player in the nation with 10+ carries per game in conference play.
» Has been stellar away from home, averaging 109.8 yards per game in road/neutral games, 14th-best in the nation. His 9.31 yards per carry away from home is best in the nation for anyone with 50+ road carries.
» Is averaging 8.9 yards per carry, second most in FBS, and has eight scrimmage plays over 50 yards this season, second-most in FBS. All eight of those plays have come against Big Ten competition.
» 80 yard TD run at Wisconsin
» 77 yard TD run vs. Minnesota
» 73 yard TD run at Rutgers
» 72 yard TD run vs. Minnesota
» 69 yard TD run at Maryland
» 52 yard run at Rutgers
» 52 yard reception vs. Purdue
» 51 yard run vs. Penn State
» His 213 rushing yards against Minnesota was the eighth most in a game in Illinois history, passing Red Grange's 212 rushing yards against Michigan 10/18/1924. The week before, he rushed for a career-high 155 yards on 18 carries (8.6 ypc) in his return home to the state of Maryland.
» Is averaging more rushing yards per game this season (101.1) than he had total in 2017 (78)
» Is the 44th player in Illinois history to gain over 1,000 career rushing yards. He currently ranks 23rd on the UI all-time rushing list with 1,612.
» Complete Illinois-Iowa Game Notes (PDF)
