Earlier this college football season, University of Illinois senior wide receiver A.J. Jenkins made some comments that proclaimed himself the best wide receiver in the Big Ten. He has since backed off from those remarks, and now maintains a more standard, PR-friendly, humble and some could say vanilla manner in his on-the-record comments to the media. But his play on the … [Read more...] about Illini Receiver A.J. Jenkins: Probably Best WR Weapon in Big Ten
troy pollard
Illini LB Kick to Northwestern OL Groin Earns him 1 game Suspension
The Big Ten Conference announced today that it has accepted the one-game suspension of University of Illinois linebacker Jonathan Brown for violating the Big Ten Sportslike Conduct Agreement during the rivalry game versus Northwestern this past Saturday. In case you missed it, Brown blatantly and very intentionally kneed Wildcats OL Patrick Ward in the, um, let's say he hit … [Read more...] about Illini LB Kick to Northwestern OL Groin Earns him 1 game Suspension
Illini Beat Northwestern 38-35: Chicago’s Big Ten Team?
It was a week where one school's marketing slogan became a motivational rallying cry for the other school in the state. Northwestern has been promoting themselves as "Chicago's Big Ten Team" for a season and half, and today Illinois made stated pretty loudly how they felt about it. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase scored a 1-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left to lead #22 … [Read more...] about Illini Beat Northwestern 38-35: Chicago’s Big Ten Team?
#22 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats: Brutally Honest Game Preview
Big Ten conference play begins with the annual in-state rivalry game between the Northwestern Wildcats and Illinois Fighting Illini. It does feel a little weird not having this game played on the last week of the season, when all the other intrastate, intra-region bloodfeud games are held. But last year it was such a special event that it's hard not to get excited for the 2011 … [Read more...] about #22 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats: Brutally Honest Game Preview
Steelers Troy Polamalu’s College Counterpart (Hair Wise): Illini RB Troy Pollard
The similarities between Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Illinois Fighting Illini leading rusher Troy Pollard go further than just the amazing coincidence in names. There's the hair thing too! You've seen Polamalu's shampoo commercials, right? "Troy Polamolecules dude." You can go here for more. But let's learn more about the man nicknamed "bucket o' hair." … [Read more...] about Steelers Troy Polamalu’s College Counterpart (Hair Wise): Illini RB Troy Pollard
Troy Pollard, Jay Prosch Add to Illini RB Depth
While Illinois’ rushing offense has remained dominant, the Illini are doing it by committee this year rather then relaying on one dominant runner like they did in 2007 (Rashard Mendenhall) and 2010 (Mikel Leshoure). Four different Illini have over 200 rushing yards on the season, and all four have scored at least one rushing TD. Senior RB Troy Pollard (a runner in the Daniel … [Read more...] about Troy Pollard, Jay Prosch Add to Illini RB Depth
#22/#18 Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Illinois Fighting Illini: Brutally Honest Game Preview
Illini Need Wide Receiver Ryan Lankford to Develop Into Third Option
Illinois Fighting Illini WR Ryan Lankford was the team's most improved player this spring practice session. But he didn't have a catch on Saturday in the big 33-15 win over Arkansas State. Someone preferably Lankford needs to become Illinois' third option. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase threw for a career-best 267 yards. His 16 completions went to A.J. Jenkins, who had 11 … [Read more...] about Illini Need Wide Receiver Ryan Lankford to Develop Into Third Option
Illinois Fighting Ilini Season Preview: Offense
Last year the Illinois Fighting Illini got a bowl win for the first time since 1999, a 38-14 drubbing of Baylor in Houston that kind of resembled their last bowl win, a 63-21 destruction of Virginia. The offense got very hot down the stretch last season, so hot that the unit set new records for points scored and total points. This year QB Nathan Scheelhaase is up for the … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Ilini Season Preview: Offense
#38 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Football 77 in 77
If there's one thing I know in life, it's that Illinois college football never ever conforms to your expectations. No one saw their two BcS appearances coming (2001, 2007); and since they followed both seasons up with sub .500 choking, both these bowl appearances are now looked upon as fluky. Whenever Illinois has been predicted to do well (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009) they fell … [Read more...] about #38 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Football 77 in 77