University of Illinois junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus announced today that he will forgo his senior season at Illinois to enter the 2012 NFL Draft. Mercilus who has the best name a defensive line man can have, emerged from total obscurity to have a banner year for the Fighting Illini, tying Simeon Rice’s single-season record and leading the nation with 16 sacks. … [Read more...] about Illini Whitney Mercilus Entering the NFL Draft
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illini DE Whitney Mercilus: Best at his Position in the Nation
University of Illinois junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus was named yesterday to the Associated Press All-America first team. That means he's truly "everybody's All-American" and he's been named to 10 different All-America teams. Nine of which were first-team. He also took home the Hendricks Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive end. "There's a lot of … [Read more...] about Illini DE Whitney Mercilus: Best at his Position in the Nation
Illini Defensive End Whitney Mercilus Wins Top National DE Award
Illinois junior Whitney Mercilus has won the 2011 Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. Mercilus led the nation in sacks, sacks per game and forced fumbles while ranking sixth nationally in tackles for loss per game. He becomes the first Illini national award winner since Dana Howard (1994) and Kevin Hardy (1995) won the Butkus Award (best linebacker in college football) … [Read more...] about Illini Defensive End Whitney Mercilus Wins Top National DE Award
Illini Upset #18 Gonzaga; Illinois is Better than You Think
Even when Illinois is having a down year, or a "rebuilding year," they still get at least one win in over a ranked team. In 1998-99 and 2007-08 (two college basketball seasons that saw Illinois break the school record for losses) they still beat a couple ranked teams- even if it didn't happen until the Big Ten Tournament. It's a hallmark of where Illinois is as a program, … [Read more...] about Illini Upset #18 Gonzaga; Illinois is Better than You Think
Illini Open New Season and Court With Victory Over Loyola 67-49
The state of Illinois has produced only one college basketball national championship, and it wasn't accomplished by the Illinois Fighting Illini; although they were just a couple 3-pt FGs away in '05. Depaul made the Final 4 in '80s glory years under Ray Meyer, but no further. SIU has won a lot of games in March lately, but they haven't cut down the nets either. I doubt any … [Read more...] about Illini Open New Season and Court With Victory Over Loyola 67-49
2012 Illini Hoops Most Important Player? Meyers Leonard!
Last night's 79-51 exhibition rout of Wayne State was expected for most Illini basketball fans. The most important number of the box score is found in the game's leading scorer, Meyers Leonard. He had 18 points, in just 16 minutes, that's a great sign for your Illinois Fighting Illini, because they'll really need Leonard to be good, if they're going to be good. … [Read more...] about 2012 Illini Hoops Most Important Player? Meyers Leonard!
Penn State Gets Gift Win From Pathetic Illinois’ Special Teams, Offense
It was one of the ugliest college football games of all time. Certainly one of the ugliest Big Ten games. Not a good showcase of the conference on ABC's national game. (The national media are going to have a field day ripping the conference after this one). Call it the football equivalent of the infamous 38-33 college basketball game played by these two schools in Champaign … [Read more...] about Penn State Gets Gift Win From Pathetic Illinois’ Special Teams, Offense
LSU, Alabama Top First BCS Rankings
With seven weeks done in the college football season, the first edition of the BCS rankings came out on Sunday night, and there were a few surprises through the list. The LSU Tigers ended up edging the Alabama Crimson Tide on the list, finishing a mere .0003 points ahead of them in average. The Oklahoma Sooners ended up finishing in the third spot, followed closely by … [Read more...] about LSU, Alabama Top First BCS Rankings