OPENING KICK
• Kicking Off: The Fighting Illini (4-7 overall, 2-6 B1G West) travel to in-state rival #20/21 Northwestern (7-4, 7-1) on Saturday to close out the season and battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy (2:30 pm CT, BTN).
• Running Wild: The Illini are averaging 251.1 rushing yards per game, good for 12th-best in FBS and currently third on the Illinois season rushing average list. This year's squad is averaging 145.5 yards per game more than last season (105.6), the biggest improvement in the nation from last year to this year.
• November Run: In the month of November, the Illini rank third in the nation in rushing yards per carry (7.46), behind only Clemson and Georgia, fourth in rushing touchdowns (10), and sixth in rushing yards (315.7 ypg).
• Big Play Run Game: The Illini running game is not only one of the best in the nation, it's also very explosive.
» Ranks seventh in the nation in yards per carry for all games (5.99) and fifth in yards per carry in conference games (6.41), behind only Pittsburgh (6.92), Clemson (6.91), Oklahoma (6.86) and Wisconsin (6.44).
» Leads FBS in runs of 70+ yards (5), 40+ yards (14) and 30+ yards (20). Ranks second in runs 60+ yards (6), third in 50+ yard runs (8), and third in 80+ yard runs (1).
» Ran for 430 yards against Minnesota (11/3) 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) on (11/10).
» 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 11 games – four by RB Reggie Corbin, four by QB AJ 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.
» Leads the nation in yards per carry (8.76) with 1,007 yards on 115 carries despite missing most of the last two games due to injury (10 carries combined in last two weeks after leaving both games early).
» Is averaging 9.83 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 50 carries.
» Leads FBS in runs of 70+ yards (4), 60+ yards (5) and 50+ yards (7). Ranks second in FBS in runs of 80+ yards (1), 40+ yards (7) and 30+ yards (9), and fifth in runs of 20+ yards (14).
» Has 1,007 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. He ranks 32nd in the nation in rushing yards.
» 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.
» 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).
• Roundtree Rolling: Sophomore DE Bobby Roundtree leads the Big Ten in sacks during conference games (7.5) and is second in the nation in sacks during the month of November (4.5). He has two sacks in each of the last two games (at Nebraska and vs. Iowa). For the season, Roundtree leads the nation in PBUs for a defensive lineman (7) and has 8.5 sacks (21st in FBS / 2nd in B1G).
• Take Your Pick: Illinois has been among the top teams in the nation in interceptions all season.
» The Illini's 15 interceptions is tied for ninth in FBS and ranks third in the Big Ten.
» LB Del'Shawn Phillips has four interceptions on the season to rank ninth in FBS and second in the Big Ten.
» 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 11 games and have played a majority of the snaps together, paving the way for Illinois' potent rushing attack (251.1 yards per game, 12th-best in FBS), the most improved in the nation (+145.5 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 (+110) and a 90+ jump in big rushing plays (+94), a category in which Illinois leads the nation.
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 – 25
Alabama – 22
Illinois – 16
Clemson – 16
BATTLE FOR THE Land of Lincoln Trophy
• Illinois and Northwestern will play for the "Land of Lincoln" trophy on Saturday, the 10th battle for the relatively new rivalry trophy. Illinois is 3-6 against Northwestern since the beginning of the Land of Lincoln trophy.
• Illinois owns "Land of Lincoln" trophy wins in 2014, 2011 and 2010.
• The Fighting Illini and Wildcats played for the "Sweet Sioux" Tomahawk from 1947-2008. Illinois led the traditional trophy series by a 32-28-2 mark, but Northwestern won the final meeting for the Tomahawk with its 27-10 win in 2008. The Tomahawk was retired following the 2008 season.
• The Land of Lincoln Trophy, a bronze replica of a stovepipe hat famously worn by Abraham Lincoln, was chosen by fans of both schools in 2009 in an online vote to replace the 62-year-old Tomahawk Trophy.
THE ILLINOIS-NORTHWESTERN SERIES
• This will be the 112th meeting between Illinois and Northwestern. Illinois leads the all-time series 55-51-5.
• Illinois is 27-29-1 when playing the Wildcats in the Illini's Big Ten finale.
• Illinois fell to Northwestern 42-7 in the season finale last year at Memorial Stadium. Dre Brown rushed 12 times for 51 yards and returned four kickoffs for 125 yards, including a long of 50 yards.
• Illinois' last win in the series was a 47-33 victory in Evanston in 2014. The Illini used 291 yards rushing to reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy and with a 47-33 win over Northwestern in the 2014 regular-season finale. Illinois forced five turnovers - three interceptions and two fumbles - and held the Wildcats to 62 yards in the first half.
• Prior to the 2014 win, Illinois' two previous wins over Northwestern came in incredible fashion. In 2011, the Illini rebounded from a 28-10 third-quarter deficit to beat Northwestern 38-35 after Nathan Scheelhaase's one-yard touchdown plunge with 13 seconds left in the game. In 2010, the Illini crushed the Wildcats 48-27 at Wrigley Field in Chicago behind Mikel Leshoure's record-breaking 330 rushing yards. It was the first college game played at Wrigley Field in 40 years and was famously played one way, as all offensive drives went toward the west end zone due to safety concerns with the wall behind the east end zone.
YOUTH MOVEMENT, PART II
For the second straight year, Illinois is putting one of the youngest teams in the nation on the field (roster breakdown as of Oct. 15, 2018).
» 2018 class breakdown: 8 seniors, 16 juniors, 38 sophomores, 40 freshmen (31 true-frosh, 9 RS frosh)
» The 8 seniors and 24 total upperclassmen are both the fewest in the nation
» With 78 underclassmen – 38 sophomores and 40 freshmen (31 true and 9 RS) – out of 102 players, the Illini roster has the highest percentage of underclassman in the nation – 76.5 percent
» Illinois' four fifth-year seniors – Nick Allegretti, Mike Dudek, Chase McLaughlin, Austin Roberts – is tied for the third-fewest nationally behind UConn (2) and Auburn (3). (All five years at one school)
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).
» Third-best overall OG in the nation (PFF) & fifth-best run-blocking OG in the nation (PFF)
» Allowed 0 sacks, 1 QB hit and only 6 total pressures on 352 passing blocking snaps
» Has made 35 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 – Jason Witten Man of the Year (semifinalist), Campbell Trophy (semifinalist), Senior CLASS Award, Wuerffel Trophy, AFCA Good Works Team.
» Is the team's Uplifting Athletes chapter president and Lift for Life organizer, helping raise over $88,000 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.
» In Big Ten games he's averaging a ridiculous 9.83 yards per carry, the most of any player in the nation with 50+ carries in conference play.
» Has been stellar away from home, averaging 109.8 yards per game in road/neutral games, 17th-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 8.76 yards per carry, 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
» Ranks second 12th on the UI season rushing list with 1,007 rushing yards.
» Nine rushing touchdowns is tied for 10th-most in a season at Illinois.
» 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 (91.5) 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 1,608.
ILLINI STANDOUTS
• Roundtree Repeat: Sophomore DE Bobby Roundtree is wreaking havoc on the defensive line once again.
» Has 14 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, one PBU, one forced fumble and one QB hurry in the last two games (at Nebraska and vs. Iowa).
» Has 7.5 sacks in B1G play to lead the league and rank sixth in the nation for sacks in conference play.
» Has 8.5 on the season to rank second in the Big Ten and 21st in FBS.
» Has seven PBUs this season, the most on the team and the most in the nation among defensive linemen.
» Ranks ninth in FBS and second in the Big Ten in tackles per game among defensive linemen (5.5)
» Leads team with 13.0 TFLs and 8.5 sacks, ranking seventh and second in the Big Ten, respectively.
• Manning the Middle: Senior LB Del'Shawn Phillips has four interceptions on the season to rank 16th in FBS and second in the Big Ten. It equals the most for an Illini in a single season since 2015 (Barton, 4).
» Has a team-high with 88 tackles on the season, ranking seventh in the Big Ten. He's third on the team with 5.5 TFLs along with 1.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, one FF and one FR.
» A junior college transfer, Phillips ranked 8th in the Big Ten in tackles per game (7.7) in his first season at Illinois in 2017.
• Chase McLongkick: Senior K Chase McLaughlin has emerged as one of the best long-range kickers in the nation.
» Leads Big Ten and 16th in FBS and second in the Big Ten in field goals made per game (1.55), hitting 17-of-22 on the season.
» Fourth in the Big Ten and 32nd in FBS in points scored (86).
» Leads the nation in 50+ field goals made (4, tied with two others) and 40+ field goals made (9, tied with two others) 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).
• Blake Can Boom: Australian sophomore Blake Hayes has become one of the top punters in the nation.
» Leads the Big Ten and 23rd in the nation in punting average (43.7 ypk).
» Has booted 14 punts over 50 yards and has dropped 20 of 59 kicks inside the 20 with only five touchbacks.
» Career average of 42.7 yards per kick ranks second all-time at Illinois behind only long-time NFL punter Steve Weatherford (43.5 ypk).
• Hansen, So Hot Right Now: Sophomore LB Jake Hansen has had a monster 2018 so far.
» Second on the team lead in tackles (7.9 tpg), ranking ninth in the B1G. Also second on the team with 8.0 TFLs.
» Earned Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week and Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after racking up 15 tackles and a school-record tying 6.0 TFLs in week one win over Kent State.
» The 6.0 TFLs against Kent State not only tied the Illinois single game program record (Jeff Weisse vs. Middle Tennessee 9/12/1998), but also tied for the seventh-most in a game in Big Ten history.
» His 6.0 TFLs in week one was more than the 2017 Illinois team leader for the season (James Crawford, 5.5).
» Had eight career tackles entering 2018, all as a true-freshman in 2016 before missing last season with an injury.
• Bush is Back: Graduate transfer QB AJ Bush Jr. finally found a home at Illinois after playing for three schools during his first four years of college.
» Ran for 187 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries at Nebraska (7.5 ypc), breaking Juice Williams' record for single-game rushing yards by a quarterback (174 vs. Eastern Illinois 9/6/2008).
» Has rushed for 677 yards on the season, the fourth-best single-season QB rushing total in school history and already the third-best career total in Illinois history (see season and career lists on page 16)
» Had his best all-around game in the win over Minnesota with 343 total yards and four touchdowns. He was 18-of-25 passing for a career-high 216 yards and two TDs, while also rushing for 127 yards and two scores.
» Has four 100-yard rushing games this season, tied for the most in a season by an Illini QB (Nathan Scheelhaase had four in 2010).
» Made a splash in his Illini debut, piling up 329 yards of total offense in a win over Kent State, including 139 yards, the fifth-most all-time by an Illinois QB at the time. He was the first Big Ten QB with at least 190 pass yards and 139 rushing yards in a game since Ohio State's J.T. Barrett in 2014.
» Bush Jr.'s impact off the field has been even bigger. Despite not officially joining the team until training camp, he has become a team leader and was voted a team captain for the season-opener.
» Lovie Smith officially announced Bush Jr. as the Fighting Illini's game one starting QB on Aug. 27 after a training camp battle with four other quarterbacks.
» Began his career in 2014 at Nebraska before transferring to Iowa Western in 2016 and Virginia Tech in 2017.
