Illinois football announced today that senior running back Jason Ford and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jake Kumerow are academically ineligible under NCAA rules and will not participate in the 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl versus UCLA on New Year's Eve in San Francisco. Ford is the Illini leading rusher this year with 600 yards on 155 carries (3.9 ypc) and seven … [Read more...] about Illini Leading Rusher to Miss Bowl Game
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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
DC Vic Koenning Leaving Illini; Headed to North Carolina? Auburn? Troy?
Before Vic Koenning took over the Illini defense in 2010, the unit was among the worst in college football. Under Koenning, the 2011 Illini finished second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally in total defense. "Y’all know me,’’ Koenning said. "I’m only as good as the staff. The success we had this year was because of us. It was the defensive staff and the … [Read more...] about DC Vic Koenning Leaving Illini; Headed to North Carolina? Auburn? Troy?
Illini Hire Tim Beckman From Toledo: Very Underwhelming on Paper
Ohio State hiring Urban Meyer this was not. Utah hiring Urban Meyer this could possibly be. Even though it's not official yet, conventional wisdom, the status quo and 4 out of 5 dentists agree: Toledo Rockets head Coach Tim Beckman will soon become the successor to Ron Zook at Illinois. This Illini head coaching hire has far less pizazz and excitement than any hire … [Read more...] about Illini Hire Tim Beckman From Toledo: Very Underwhelming on Paper
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
Next Illini Head Coach: Houston’s Kevin Sumlin?
Word is Illini Athletic Director Mike Thomas could introduce the new Illinois Head football coach any day now. He said he would move fast; and he seems to be doing it. Most of what we've being hearing in the media involves guys saying they haven't been contacted by the University of Illinois. That includes Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who seems very … [Read more...] about Next Illini Head Coach: Houston’s Kevin Sumlin?
So Where Does Ron Zook, a True Nice Guy, Go From Here?
A funny thing happened on the way to Illinois cleansing and ridding itself of the Ron Zook era. Honestly, as someone who has written numerous pieces for The Sports Bank about how much Zook needed to be fired over the years, I just didn't see it coming. I felt bad. I really did. (guest post from Paul Schmidt) There's a fundamental problem with dancing on the grave … [Read more...] about So Where Does Ron Zook, a True Nice Guy, Go From Here?
Top Immediate Priorities for New Illini Football Coach
Ron Zook is gone. However, he was only one part of a larger college football problem in Champaign-Urbana. Zook "made history," by becoming the first coach in FBS history to "accomplish" this feat- starting 6-0, finishing 6-6. But Zook wasn't that much worse than Lou Tepper or Ron Zook, they all won only about a 1/3 of their Big Ten games. So this needs to be a revolutionary … [Read more...] about Top Immediate Priorities for New Illini Football Coach
Michigan Has Emerging Star at Tailback in Fitzgerald Toussaint
No matter what team you root for in college football, you have to admit it's cool that the Michigan Wolverines have both Fitzgerald and Hemingway playing the offensive skill positions for them. We've profiled wide receiver Junior Hemingway, who's had "A Movable Feast" of receiving yards this season. Now we profile Fitzgerald Toussaint who ran for a career-high high 192 yards … [Read more...] about Michigan Has Emerging Star at Tailback in Fitzgerald Toussaint
Your Denard Robinson Wrist Injury Update
For the Michigan Wolverines offense, tailback Fitzgerald Toussaint was the bellcow, finishing the 31-14 win over the Illini with 192 yards rushing on 27 carries; two touchdowns. Single threat quarterback Denard Robinson had two rushing touchdowns to go with 42 yards on the ground, on 11 attempts. He threw 6-11 for 91 yards and two picks, although one was an end of half … [Read more...] about Your Denard Robinson Wrist Injury Update