Illinitalk

Although Rashard Mendenhall was the lone name from the Illini that came off the board during the draft, several more are headed to training camps with free agent deals:

• J Leman (LB) - Minnesota Vikings
• Justin Harrison (S) and Jason Reda (PK) - Cleveland Browns
• Chris Norwell (DT) - New England Patriots
• Kevin Mitchell (S) - Washington Redskins
• Akim Millington (OT) - New Orleans Saints
• Russ Weil (FB) - St. Louis Rams

The talking heads and columnists gave the Steelers relatively high marks for picking Mendenhall. I realize that the draft is all hype, but I'll take positive coverage for our boys any day. All the best to these boys as they compete for NFL roster spots.

And, all the best to Good Hope Orange and family on the arrival of a healthy baby boy Sunday, April 27. I'm sure he's already getting ready to cheer on the Illini this fall...

Labels: Illini football, Rashard Mendenhall

Did the Steelers get a steal with Rashard Mendenhall at #23 in the first round? Only time will tell, but the talking heads had lots of positives on Rashard -- like that he has lots of football ahead of him, he's a workhorse who gets north and south, and he can run between the tackles. Always nice to hear positives on our boys. Although he went later than some expected, it's been a long, long time since the Illini have had players go in the first round, and that's just another sign of the changes in our program...

Enjoy Pittsburgh, Rashard! Hope you get quality carries from Ben...

Labels: Rashard Mendenhall

Rashard Mendenhall says he's ready to go anywhere after next week, although his heart is in Chicago. But while he prepares to wait and see where he ends up, I found his mom's preparations for next week even more interesting. Sounds like Rashard is getting solid advice...

Labels: Rashard Mendenhall

My eight thoughts to start '08 after watching the game (with thoughts especially in mind for any national media thinking of piling on how Illinois didn't deserve to be here):

1. Last year we only won two games. Last I checked we only won two games the year before that as well. No one in America thought we'd be playing USC to end the season this year. There. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

2. USC is stacked with talent that could be playing in the NFL right now. We are getting stacked with talent that will be playing in the NFL in two or three years (not counting Rashard who pretty much ensured with his performance today that he will be playing on Sundays next year).

3. If Zook's recruiting continues as it has been, we are about two years away from being able to compete against the "goliaths of college football" as Herbsreit referred to USC.

4. That said, we were still in this game until we gave the ball away with some costly turnovers.

5. The defense played very well but obviously was extremely tired by the 4th quarter, hence the tackling difficulties.

6. I'm sure this will be beat to death over the next week or two but forcing our offense to run the ball over and over to start the game and for practically the entire first half didn't do our boys much good as every single USC defender pretty much played the run. Once we started to air it out at the end of the first half we got some breathing room. Not sure what Locksley and Zook were thinking there but it's sort of ironic that we kept hearing how great Locksley was this week and how he is being looked at for head coaching jobs and, in my opinion, did a pretty subpar job of calling plays at the beginning of the game.

7. No one likes a sore or arrogant winner (at least I don't). I know Illinois had its share of personal fouls (which didn't make me happy) but USC's players were beyond ridiculous when it came to taunting etc. Please. Act like you've been there before (because you have). You may have won the game big but you looked classless doing so. Congratulations.

8. Speaking of taunting I had a good friend who is a Nebraska fan text me after USC went up 14-0 talking smack (you know who you are). Must I say it again? Please. Where was Nebraska playing this New Year's Day? Did they even have a winning record? Do people who live within the state lines even believe their program is heading in the same direction as the Illinois football program? Yeesh. People.

Labels: Kirk Herbstreit, Rashard Mendenhall, Ron Zook, USC

Congratulations to Big Ten Coach of the Year Ron Zook and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Rashard Mendenhall. They helped the Illini make a statement -- not only in the Big Ten, but on the national scene.

Illinois ends the season in second place in the Big Ten, tied with Michigan (a game we could have won...), behind Ohio State (a game I am still impressed we won). And, the upset of the Buckeyes in Columbus pushed the Illini into the BCS picture, as Chief pointed out.

The Sweet Sioux Tomahawk trophy has finally returned to Champaign after 4 years. Although I didn't see all the Northwestern game, the text updates I received indicated that the Illini stayed in control. (Thanks to the Illini fan who kept me updated on both the Illini and the OSU-Michigan game from Memorial stadium while I was at the wedding -- but I did see your ESPN debut!) The Illini seniors, who have risen from the bottom of the Big Ten, inspired their team the night before the game -- and the Illini delivered.

As other conferences move into championship games, the Illini can enjoy Thanksgiving as they watch and wait for a bowl invitation. It should be a great one...

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Rashard Mendenhall, Ron Zook

Great win Saturday. Juice has really matured this season. Now if we can just get Rashard back next year...

Something I never thought was even close to possible when the season started and I can't believe this is even a possibility but there are those out there who believe we will not only get a very good bowl game but could be headed to a BCS game. SI's Mandel thinks so.

If you think Zook deserves Coach of the Year honors, click here and vote.

Finally, looks like we need to start preparing for life after Ron Guenther. Hopefully the university doesn't botch this like they did the Chief.

Labels: Juice Williams, Rashard Mendenhall, Ron Guenther, Ron Zook

On the first play of Saturday night's game, Vontae Davis and the Illini made one point clear. They are no longer in the basement of the Big Ten. The Davis interception was soon followed by an impressive 47-yard TD pass from Juice to Jacob Willis, and the Gophers continued to struggle all night.

After posting the lowest 4-season winning percentage in the conference, the Illini have turned a corner. The Penn State win marked the beginning of something special in Champaign, but the resounding victory over the current conference bottom-dwellers underscored just how far the Illini have come. (But take heart, Gopher fans, and give your new coach a couple years before you give up on him -- you won't be at the bottom forever.)

Juice showed off his arm with a couple beautiful TD passes. Rashard Mendenhall took advantage of a weak run defense to take over the Illinois single-season TD record at 16 (and counting). Then Rashard stepped back to let his brother Walter have a turn. Jeff Cumberland also had a great game that included a TD.

Now alone in third place in the Big Ten, the Illini are guaranteed a spot in one of the bowls committed to the conference. They looked great this weekend, and I plan to savor this for a day or two before thinking too much about #1 Ohio State next weekend.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Jacob Willis, Juice Williams, Rashard Mendenhall

The Illini are headed to Minnesota, where they will play a struggling team with a first year coach (an Illini alum) who desparately need a win. But, just a few weeks ago, the Illini went on the road to play a struggling team, and lost. Could the same thing happen in the Metrodome?

Given what's already happened during the 2007 college football season, I can't rule it out. In fact, the Illini looked a lot like Minnesota just a few years ago, and that's why the Illini can't be overconfident, even though they are 12-point favorites. Plus, the Illini haven't won at the Metrodome since 1994.

However, like most Illini, I expect a win this year. The Gophers have a very young roster including a redshirt freshman QB, and our defense is experienced. Given the weakness of the Gophers' run defense, Rashard Mendenhall should have a great game. Plus, a win should clinch a bowl game.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football, Rashard Mendenhall

19 carries
160 yards
3 TD's
8.2 YPC

BTW, Juice didn't look too hurt during celebration after the game. Let's hope the same goes for Benn.

Labels: Arrelious Benn, Juice Williams, Rashard Mendenhall

Click here to check out an interview with Mendenhall on the Big Ten Network. Man I hope this guy sticks around for next season.

UPDATE: Mendenhall was named Big Ten Player of the Week. Will Davis was named co-Defensive Player of the Week. Click here for the release from the Big Ten.

Labels: Rashard Mendenhall, Will Davis

My thoughts from yesterday:

1. Great win on the road! Should do a lot to help change the culture of losing and build confidence. (BTW, I'm glad we beat IU on the gridiron because I'm a lot less confident of our chances on the hardwood.)

2. Our defense just rocks the house. J Leman and V. Davis are studs, even though V got beat for a TD...he made up for it later in the game with the IT. I thought he was gonna go out of his mind when he got beat. It's nice to see guys get really upset when they're scored on.

3. Rashard.

4. Can we please hire Peyton Manning to come over to Champaign and teach Juice how to hit his receivers? I know some of the drops weren't his fault but if he were to execute the passing game like he does the option, we'll really be dangerous.

5. Big Ten Network. Totally see Alma Mater's point below but disagree. Sports TV is a huge business and this is all about money. I would say now that BTN has Direct TV and Dish, the heat really is on Comcast to pony up. If they offer something like the Tennis Channel, they should offer BTN.

Labels: Big Ten Network, J Leman, Rashard Mendenhall, Vontae Davis

Spring practice has begun for the Illini with Rashard Mendenhall and Arrelious Benn being two of the players expected to step up this year if the Illini are to improve upon last season's win total. And from the sounds of it, Ron Zook is not going to tolerate anyone failing to bring intensity at all times. That is something I appreciate from a head coach.

For those of you wanting to check out Mendenhall, Benn, Juice Williams, and the rest of the team, you have a couple of chances to do so in April. There will be a spring game in Chicago on April 14th followed by a spring game in Champaign on April 21st. For more details, please read the official information below that was sent out by the university:


FIGHTING ILLINI FOOTBALL INVITES FANS TO APRIL 14 CHICAGO SPRING GAME

The Fighting Illini football team will bring a Spring Game to Chicago for what is believed to be the first time since the 1970s. The event will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, April 14 at St. Rita of Cascia High School , a college prep school located in Chicago 's south side. Admission is free.

Combined with Coach Ron Zook's recruiting successes, the Illinois Renaissance project, "construction pricing" including $60 horseshoe season tickets, and an amazing 2007 home schedule (including Michigan , Wisconsin and Penn State ), the Chicago Spring Game serves as yet another example of the energy and excitement that is building around the Fighting Illini football program. The special event further extends the meaning of the 2007 Fighting Illini football theme "It's a Brand New Ballgame" as well as the Illinois Athletics tagline, "Illinois: It's Where We Live. It's Who We Cheer."

"We are fortunate to have a progressive and driven coach like Ron Zook," said Assistant Director of Athletics for Sales and Marketing Chris Hanna. "Coach Zook is passionate about all aspects of Illinois football - from winning games to recruiting to making contact with our fan base and filling Memorial Stadium. We are very excited about both the Chicago Spring Game and the annual Spring Game in Champaign ."

The Fighting Illini will host the Champaign Spring Game at 1 PM on Saturday, April 21 at Memorial Stadium. Admission to the Champaign Spring Game, which also serves as the final spring practice, is $5. The $5 Champaign Spring Game ticket will also allow fans to enter two events that take place just prior to football as part of the Spring Sports Festival. Fans can show their football ticket at Saturday's Noon men's tennis match with Minnesota as well as the Noon softball game against Ohio State for free admission.

The Champaign Spring Game ticket is also good for Friday's (April 20) 6 p.m. softball game against Ohio State , Sunday's (April 22) Noon men's tennis match against Iowa , and Sunday's 11 a.m. softball doubleheader against Penn State . The Champaign Spring Game is sponsored by The News-Gazette, WDWS and WHMS.

Illinois: It's Where We Live. It's Who We Cheer.
GET YOUR TICKETS. NOW!
Call 866-ILLINI1 or buy online at fightingillini.com

Labels: Arrelious Benn, Illini football, Rashard Mendenhall, Spring practice