Under the coaching and recruiting of Head Coach Ron Zook, the Fighting Illini went from a perennial loser to a serious contender in the Big 10 overnight. In 2007, they posted a 9-4 record overall while finishing 2nd in the Big 10 with a 6-2 record and making their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1984.
Last season, the Fighting Illini’s “coming out party” was on November 10th when they defeated the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes 28-21 in Colombus. The nationally televised game helped put a team, who had not been to a bowl game since 2001, back on the map. However, if you are a regular viewer of college football, you knew the Fighting Illini were on the rise well before they came to Colombus, posting a 7-3 record and boasting a rising star in sophomore quarterback Juice Williams and one of the best running backs in the nation in junior Rashard Mendenhall.
While his stats were not too stellar, Williams seemed to get more and more comfortable each week while running the spread option. However, Mendenhall was the biggest story of the year. His 1,600 yards rushing and 17 rushing touchdowns on 6.4 yards per carry helped make the Fighting Illini the best statistical running team in the Big 10 in the 2007 season. While the young squad was outmatched in the Rose Bowl by an experienced USC team, Mendenhall had a memorable performance in the 49-17 loss. He had 155 rushing yards on 17 attempts and broke off one for a 79 yard touchdown run. However, in 2008, the Fighting Illini will be no secret.
Head Coach: Ron Zook (8th year, 35-37)
2007 record: 9-4 (6-2 Big 10), lost to USC in Rose Bowl
Returning starters: 13 (offense: 7, defense: 5, kicker/punter: 1)
Top returnees: QB Juice Williams, WR Kyle Hudson, C Ryan McDonald, RG Jon Asamoah, DE Derek Walker, DT David Lindquist, DE Will Davis, LB Brit Miller, CB Dere Hicks, CB Vontae Davis
Key Losses: RB Rashard Mendenhall, LB Jeremy “J.” Leman, K Jason Reda, LT Akim Millington, LG Martin O’Donnell, DT Chris Norwell, FS Kevin Mitchell, SS Justin Harrison
2008 schedule:
Aug. 30 @ Missouri
Sept. 6 Eastern Illinois
Sept. 13 Louisiana-Lafayette
Sept. 27 @ Penn State
Oct. 4 @ Michigan
Oct. 11 Minnesota
Oct. 18 Indiana
Oct. 25 @ Wisconsin
Nov. 1 @ Iowa
Nov. 8 @ Western Michigan
Nov. 15 Ohio State
Nov. 22 @ Northwestern
Key game: Sept. 27 @ Penn State - Last year, the Fighting Illini defeated the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley last season and showed naysayers they were a real force in the Big 10. However, this time, it’s a pivotal game for other reasons. The next two road games are against Michigan and Wisconsin. If they lose this game against Penn State, they could potentially go on a horrifying 3-game road losing skid.
2008 overview
The projected starter at running back is junior Daniel Dufrene, but he hasn’t done much to solidify his spot as that starter. With the no running backs emerging as a clear favorite to replace Mendenhall, junior quarterback Juice Williams is needed now more than ever to lead this offense. Last season, he showed that he is more than capable of running Ron Zook’s spread option offense. Williams capability to use his feet has made him a valuable commodity, but towards the end of last season, he showed he could throw the football well and was far from the QB who completed under 40% in 2006. Williams threw for 1,743 yards, 13 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, for a 57.3 completion percentage while rushing for 755 yards and 7 touchdowns. Zook is also expected to use sophomore backup quarterback Eddie McGee like he did last season as a fill-in for Williams during a shaky game or when he needs a rest. Like Williams, McGee can heave the ball down field, but he boast a bit more accuracy on his deep ball than Williams.
If the Fighting Illini are going to start using an effective passing attack, they are going to need some standouts at the receiver spot. They potentially have one in wide receiver Arrelious Benn, who is expected to be a big factor this season. The 6′2″ 215 lbs sophomore led the team in receptions (54) and receiving yards (676) as a freshman last season. This year, he could be an even bigger target and in an odd place, out of the backfield. No, he won’t be the new starting running back, but Benn was very productive on reverses out of the backfield last season, rushing for 158 yards on a 4.6 yard per carry average on 32 attempts. Benn will continue to be part of the kick-return game, having totaled 280 return yards and a touchdown last season. Also, Jeff Cumberland, who was a reliable target for Juice Williams last season, will move from tight end to wide receiver this season. The move was done to give the slightly bigger Michael Hoomanawanui a shot to play the tight end position. Hoomanawanui, who is 6′5″ and 265 lbs, is touted as an NFL-caliber player who has hand like glue and is considered a better overall blocker than Cumberland.
The offensive line should be as effective as it was last season in opening up holes and giving time for Juice Williams to throw the ball. Seniors Xavier Fulton (LT) and Ryan McDonald (C) are expected to anchor the unit this season. Fulton is considered one of the best run-blocking tackles in the Big 10 and is no slouch on pass-blocking either. McDonald has been a key part of the Fighting Illini’s offensive line since he arrived on campus 3 seasons ago. Unlike Fulton, McDonald excels more as a pass protector.
The defensive side of the ball looks to be solid for the 2008 season, but its biggest strength will be on the defensive line. Ron Zook has said this year’s defensive line is one of the best he’s coached. David Lindquist, who had 4.5 sacks and 46 tackles, will fill in for former defensive tackle Chris Norwell. While Norwell was considered an anchor of the entire line last season, Lindquist’s size and athleticism should help him do a solid job at the least. Returning at defensive end is also Doug Pilcher, who at 6′5,” 260 lbs, became a reliable starter last season. He does need to improve his pass rushing ability a bit, but the arrow is only pointing up on the young sophomore.
The middle of the field will go through some changes this season. In the absence of play-maker J. Leman, Ron Zook decided to make former strongside linebacker Brit Miller the new middle linebacker. The decision should turn out to be a wise one since Miller has a great athleticism and speed, which is usually the perfect recipe for middle linebackers. So who will replace Miller at the strongside spot? Well, sophomore and top recruit Martez Wilson is expected to fill-in at the position and possibly make noise at it as well. Last season, the 6′4,” 246 lbs linebacker played marginally, but still managed to get 29 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 tackles for losses. Wilson is often compared to a “Jason Taylor” type player because his speed, size, and pass-rushing ability allow him to be both a defensive end and linebacker in a 3-4 defense. For now though, Wilson is still a bit thin to be a defensive end, and the Fighting Illini will remain as a traditional 4-3 defense, so don’t get any ideas.
As for the defensive backs, the Fighting Illini have lost two starting safeties in Justin Harrison and Kevin Mitchell. Harrison was third on the team in tackles and Mitchell led them with 5 interceptions, but all is not completely lost. Sophomore Travon Bellamy will take over duties at strong safety. He missed all of last year with a shoulder injury, but impressed many coaches with his speed and hard-hitting ability when he had been on the field. Next to Bellamy will sophomore Nick Bussey. Bussey has the natural build for the position at 6′2,” 210lbs, but there are concerns about his coverage skills. The cornerback spots will be completely intact from last season. Junior Vontae Davis will continue to show why he is one of the most feared corners in college football. He is not only a lock-down corner, but he is also a devastating hitter. On the other side will be fellow junior Dere Hicks. Like Davis, Hicks can put serious hits on running backs, but he struggles in coverage against bigger receivers. With opposing quarterbacks not wanting to throw anywhere near Davis, Hicks needs to step up this season in coverage.
The Fighting Illini certainly have the talent to contend in the Big 10. However, there are too many “ifs.” If Juice Williams emerges as a true leader on offense, if somebody steps up to even be half the running back Rashard Mendenhall was last season, if Arrelious Benn becomes a stud wide receiver, and if everything gels on defense, then look out Ohio State and Wisconsin; we might have a new Big 10 front runner and possibly a National Championship participant. But for now, this team should be good for about a 6-6 or 7-5 overall record with an appearance to a non-BCS bowl game. Ohio State or Wisconsin should be the class of the division this season, but like the Fighting Illini taught us last year, anything is possible.
