Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall will retire. Yes, at the tender age of 26. How's that for a surprise to kick off NFL free agency? UPDATE: Rashard Mendenhall explains his retirement decision to HuffPo ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter first reported this development. Mendenhall battled turf toe for much last season. When he finally got to be 100%, Mendenhall … [Read more...] about Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall explains his retirement
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Illini Football All-Decade Team Announced: Part 2 Offense, Special Teams
The University of Illinois announced their All-Decade Team this week. Today, we'll list the offense named to the 31-player team. The squad, which honors Illini who played between 2000-10, was compiled by a combination of fan voting and input from Division of Intercollegiate Athletics staff. … [Read more...] about Illini Football All-Decade Team Announced: Part 2 Offense, Special Teams
Will Super Bowl Make Rashard Mendenhall Greatest Illini Rusher Ever?
For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl will have a feature back from the University of Illinois. This time, the Illini tailback is the Pittsburgh Steelers' Rashard Mendenhall; who in 2008 became the first University of Illinois player taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1996. 14 years ago, UI produced the #2 (Kevin Hardy taken by Jacksonville) and #3 … [Read more...] about Will Super Bowl Make Rashard Mendenhall Greatest Illini Rusher Ever?
Big 10 Alumni Aplenty in this Year’s Super Bowl
The Big Ten Conference will be well-represented on Sunday, Feb. 6, in Super Bowl XLV with 18 former student-athletes and nine coaches with previous conference connections on the rosters of the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Big Ten is the only conference to feature at least one former player from every institution in the Super Bowl. The Big Ten and the SEC … [Read more...] about Big 10 Alumni Aplenty in this Year’s Super Bowl
Mikel Leshoure to Rashard Mendenhall Comparisons Running Wild Now
Given that they are/were both Illinois Fighting Illini, wore the same jersey number, played the same position, and didn't break out until their junior year (and when they broke out, they really did it in style) it's inevitable to compare current Illini tailback Mikel Leshoure to current Pittsbrugh Steelers star running back Rashard Mendenhall. Heck, I wrote a column about it … [Read more...] about Mikel Leshoure to Rashard Mendenhall Comparisons Running Wild Now
Texas Bowl Sees Illinois and Baylor Break Numerous Records
Last night's college football match-up won38-14 by the Illinois Fighting Illini over Baylor broke a bunch of Texas Bowl, bowl history in the city of Houston, as well as Illinois and Baylor records. Seriously, there were a ton, but here are some of the most notable. -The Illini tied the Texas Bowl record for most points scored 38 and most net yards gained at 533. -Leshoure … [Read more...] about Texas Bowl Sees Illinois and Baylor Break Numerous Records
Illini Mikel LeShoure: the Next Rashard Mendenhall?
The Illini could very well run the table the rest of the way. Even if they don't, already at 5-3, (3-2 in Big Ten) they have greatly improved upon last year's 3-9 mark and will likely make their way into a pretty decent bowl. This season has been a pleasant surprise to say the least. Among the talent on the Illini roster is a trio of juniors with NFL level measurables and … [Read more...] about Illini Mikel LeShoure: the Next Rashard Mendenhall?