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Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall explains his retirement

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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

Illini Need Wide Receiver Ryan Lankford to Develop Into Third Option

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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

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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

Jason Ford Needs to be Illini Football BMOC

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When Rashard Mendenhall left the Illinois Fighting Illini with a year of eligibility left in 2007, for the NFL Draft, Illinois suffered the next year. Aside from that whole "planes cannot take down a building" tweets of idiocy and the sponsorship pullout that followed, things have gone pretty well for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mendenhall. But for the two years that … [Read more...] about Jason Ford Needs to be Illini Football BMOC

#38 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Football 77 in 77

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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

Illini Running Back Situation: Who takes over for Mikel Leshoure?

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When Rashard Mendenhall left the Illinois Fighting Illini with a year of eligibility left in 2007, for the NFL Draft, Illinois suffered the next year. Aside from that whole "planes cannot take down a building" tweets of idiocy and the sponsorship pullout that followed, things have gone pretty well for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mendenhall. But for the two years that … [Read more...] about Illini Running Back Situation: Who takes over for Mikel Leshoure?

Illini RB Mikel Leshoure Entering NFL Draft

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Illini junior running back Mikel Leshoure held a new conference at his alma mater, Champaign Centennial high school, where he announced his entrance into the NFL Draft. And with the choice to hold a presser on this decision at his high school, he has has yet another trait in common with Pittsburgh Steelers tailback Rashard Mendenhall. Expect to hear even more Mendenhall … [Read more...] about Illini RB Mikel Leshoure Entering NFL Draft

Illini RB Mike Leshoure Sweeps National Player of the Week Awards

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Illinois Fighting Illini running back Mikel Leshoure is to this week's national player of the week college football awards what Ohio State's Evan Turner was to last year's college basketball player of the year awards. Leshoure was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, Walter Camp Foundation National Player of the Week, Rivals.com National Player of the Week and College … [Read more...] about Illini RB Mike Leshoure Sweeps National Player of the Week Awards

Illini Mikel LeShoure: the Next Rashard Mendenhall?

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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?