Illini look to start a new chapter against Michigan

Michigan running back Mike Hart (20) celebrates a first quarter touchdown with teammate Adrian Arrington (16) during a college football game against Purdue at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:30 PM CDT

By Mark Tupper
mark.tupper@lee.net

CHAMPAIGN — Ask any current Illinois football player about the last time the Illini beat Michigan in Memorial Stadium, and you’ll get a great big vacant stare.

Why?

Because not one of them was even born when Illinois defeated the Wolverines 16-6 on Sept. 29, 1983, a victory that helped pave the way to the Rose Bowl.

It was nearly 16 months before fifth-year senior J Leman was born, more than five years before some of the current Illini freshmen made their way into the world.

“It was before I was born,” freshman receiver Rejus Benn correctly noted Monday when asked about the game. “I don’t know too much about that.”

Nor should he.

A few players can remember the Illinois-Michigan game in 2000, when many of the 72,000-plus in attendance left Memorial Stadium feeling Illinois should have won. Some are still cussing about it. Instead, key calls went Michigan’s way, including a late fumble by Wolverines running back Anthony Thomas, and the Wolverines escaped with a 35-31 victory.

Illinois is preparing to host Michigan once again this week, and while fans may replay games of the past, current players made it clear they’re not interested.

“I don’t think about that stuff,” linebacker J Leman said. “The last few weeks have been enough to show that streaks really don’t mean much."

“We’re excited to be playing a team of Michigan’s caliber. They’ve been winning quite a few games lately, and it’s going to be an exciting game.”

Michigan finally seems to have gained some traction after a puzzling start to the season.

The Wolverines were stunned by Appalachian State 34-32 in the season-opener at Michigan Stadium, a loss that some described as the most stunning upset in the history of college football. The next week, Michigan suffered another home loss by falling to Oregon, 38-7.

Since then, however, the Wolverines have defeated Notre Dame, Penn State, Northwestern, Eastern Michigan and Purdue and this week moved back into the Top 25, checking in at No. 24.

The resurgence has been led by a newly healthy Chad Henne, the Wolverines’ quarterback who missed two-and-a-half games with a knee injury, and the steady play and leadership of tailback Mike Hart.

Hart, who is the national rushing leader with 1,078 yards, missed the second half of last week’s victory over Purdue when he appeared to injure his ankle, but those in the Illinois camp expect him to play Saturday night.

“He’s a tough kid, one of the toughest players around,” said Leman, who leads the Big Ten in tackles. “I’m sure he’ll be ready to go. He doesn’t go down on the first hit. He has a ton of yards after contact. People don’t see him as a power back, but he’s definitely a strong runner.”

Henne had his best game of the season against Purdue, completing 21 of 28 passes for 264 yards with a pair of touchdown passes to wide receiver Mario Manningham.

Manningham returned to action after missing the previous game for undisclosed reasons. He responded by making eight catches for a career-high 147 yards and re-establishing a deep threat Illinois will have to respect this week.

Early honors

Three Illini players have earned mid-season all-America honors from Rivals.com and Phil Steele’s Football Magazine.

Leman was named one of three first-teamers for both lists, while junior running back Rashard Mendenhall and senior offensive guard Martin O’Donnell took second-team honors. Leman and Mendenhall were second-team midseason all-Americans according to SI.com.