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SportsTuesday, October 16, 2007 11:30 PM CDT
Illini look to start a new chapter against Michigan
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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.

Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports.

Take a look
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)
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Reader comments on this story - 38 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

RE Illinois academic wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:27 PM:

" you may want to reconsider whatever source it is you have. That is simply an untrue statement. "

Illinois academic wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:55 PM:

" ranking is dropping like a rock. You better hope the football team starts winning, because without sports in a few years you will have nothing to cling too. Look on the bright side. Soon some of you illini fans will actually be able to get into Illinois and get a degree from the school for which you are so fanatical. "

Re: Bhatmobile cont'd wrote on Oct 16, 2007 4:20 PM:

" That being said, I would really like to see the Illini win this weekend. I don't hate the Illini. Why don't we try co-existing, and maybe someday when we actually have a sports rivalry between each other we can start up the trash talk then? "

Re: Bhatmobile wrote on Oct 16, 2007 4:18 PM:

" Nice little dig there on ISU. You guys are so classy. And here I was about to wish the Illini good luck this weekend. I guess I just don't get why you feel the need insult a lot of good students at ISU that way. Don't be ignorant. Besides, anyone who's taken a sociology class should know that the basis on which reputations are constructed and upheld often is often twisted through time. I know for a fact U of I, Harvard, and ISU all teach upper-level psychology out of the same textbook. That's right, we ISU students learn the same thing that U of I students do, so unless the professors over there have some subliminal method of distributing information, I highly doubt the quality of education is any better. Especially now that it's the same price. Just face the facts that we're not the U of I reject school anymore. "

i would have wrote on Oct 16, 2007 3:31 PM:

" to say that Illinois biggest rival is Missouri...they have the annual braggin rights game in basketball, and a football rivalry is brewing! I know Indiana is becoming a huge rivalry with what happened with Eric Gordon and Sampson "

Incredible wrote on Oct 16, 2007 2:27 PM:

" This is an article and discussion about the Illinois-Michigan game and somebody with nothing better to do still finds a way to slam ISU. It's absolutely amazing how much interest people have in a school they seem to disrespect so much. So somebody remind me (Bhatmobile), what's this article about again? "

to Rivals wrote on Oct 16, 2007 2:08 PM:

" I would have to say Iowa in both fball and bball. I would not consider Michigan a rival in either just because they have other rivals and I would assume the Illini are not highlighted on their schedule EVERY year. You won't hear this from too many Illini fans but UofI should play ISU every year in bball rotating home and away. If Iowa and Indiana can do it I do not see why we don't do it?? Iowa does it with Northern Iowa and Iowa State. IU does it with Indiana State. UofI and ISU would be a great bball rivarly to get started and it makes sense. To answer the question though, Iowa! "

To Bhatmobile: wrote on Oct 16, 2007 1:59 PM:

" Vanderbilt is in the SEC and rated #19, so that is a pretty good school. In addition Clemson is in the ACC, so they don't count and other Big 10 schools are Penn State at #48, Ohio State at 57, Iowa and Purdue tied at 64 and Minnesota and Michigan State are tied at 71 and Indiana finishing off the Big 10 at #75. When all 11 of the Big 10 schools are better than nine of 12 SEC, and the top 5 are better than the second best SEC school, I think it is safe to say the Big 10 is in better academic standing than the SEC. "

Michigan should be worried wrote on Oct 16, 2007 1:20 PM:

" People, look at the remaining schedule. The Illini have a better shot at coming away with a better record than Michigan. Michigan has Illinois at Champaign in a national televised game. Wisc. away, Mich st at home (they are scoring big points) and Ohio St at home. then theres minnesota which is a W. They have their work cut out for them. Oregon was the only good team they have faced and Michigan got manhandled by them. Ill take Illinois by 9...30-21. "

Bhatmobile wrote on Oct 16, 2007 1:14 PM:

" The Big Ten should be absolutely ashamed of its academics. Just check out the U.S. News and World Report rankings: Northwestern (14), Michigan (25), Illinois (38), and Wisconsin (38). You have to drop W-A-Y down to find the academic powerhouses of the SEC: Florida (49), Georgia (59), Clemson (67), Alabama (91), Auburn (96), Kentucky (122), Arkansas (124), etc. Unless Dartmouth starts up a killer football team, the Big Ten will be the country's best combination of football and academics. (Hey, where's ISU on that list?) "

Bhatmobile wrote on Oct 16, 2007 1:04 PM:

" The Big Ten should be absolutely ashamed of its academics. Just check out the U.S. News and World Report rankings: Northwestern (14), Michigan (25), Illinois (38), and Wisconsin (38). You have to drop W-A-Y down to find the academic powerhouses of the SEC: Florida (49), Georgia (59), Clemson (67), Alabama (91), Auburn (96), Kentucky (122), Arkansas (124), etc. Unless Dartmouth starts up a killer football team, the Big Ten will be the country's best combination of football and academics. (Hey, where's ISU on that list?) "

Ha wrote on Oct 16, 2007 12:22 PM:

" If you people think the loss to Appy State has anything to do with this game you're wrong. Michigan is back on track and the Illini will have their hands full. Talent wise the Wolverines are still #2 in the conference behind OSU. I still think the Illini can win though and finish 9-3... wow! Never thought I'd be saying that! GO ILLINI! "

One Word... wrote on Oct 16, 2007 12:19 PM:

" Overrated. "

Bhatmobile wrote on Oct 16, 2007 12:18 PM:

" The Big Ten should be absolutely ashamed of its academics. Just check out the U.S. News and World Report rankings: Northwestern (14), Michigan (25), Illinois (38), and Wisconsin (38). You have to drop W-A-Y down to find the academic powerhouses of the SEC: Florida (49), Georgia (59), Clemson (67), Alabama (91), Auburn (96), Kentucky (122), Arkansas (124), etc. Unless Dartmouth starts up a killer football team, the Big Ten will be the country's best combination of football and academics. (Hey, where's ISU on that list?) "

Bhatmobile wrote on Oct 16, 2007 12:15 PM:

" The Big Ten should be absolutely ashamed of its academics. Just check out the U.S. News and World Report rankings: Northwestern (14), Michigan (25), Illinois (38), and Wisconsin (38). You have to drop W-A-Y down to find the academic powerhouses of the SEC: Florida (49), Georgia (59), Clemson (67), Alabama (91), Auburn (96), Kentucky (122), Arkansas (124), etc. Unless Dartmouth starts up a killer football team, the Big Ten will be the country's best combination of football and academics. (Hey, where's ISU on that list?) "

Me wrote on Oct 16, 2007 12:07 PM:

" Illinois' biggest rival in football is Iowa "

Question for Illini fans... wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:41 AM:

" Who is your #1 rival. Rival defined as the other team feels the same way. It can't be Michigan. Michigan does not feel that way about Illinois. Michigan's rivals are OSU and MSU. It can't be IU. Their rival is Purdue. Iowa maybe??? I would say Iowa's big rival is Iowa State. Northwestern??? Which team looks at Illinois and says that is our BIG GAME EVERY year and Illinois looks at them and says the same thing. Who is the Illini's #1 rival??? Just curious what the Illini fans think?? "

The Frightened Irish wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:17 AM:

" U of I got zooked last week! Good luck this weekend, nobody I like to see lose more than Michigan (unless it's the Patriots, which isn't often!) "

Mike wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:15 AM:

" It's nice to see Benn knows so much about his school's football history. He's a real Illinois Guy! "

to hail to victors wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:56 AM:

" so you say the rest of the big ten is just full of wannabees?? well what exactly does that say for michigan and osu...pretty much that they arent very good and they only win games because they are in a bad conference...maybe that is why michigan and osu get throttled when they play in their bowl games...florida and usc probably think osu and michigan are wannabees as well! good job trying to defend your big blue! "

to hail to victors wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:43 AM:

" so you compare Michigan and OSU with all the other big ten schools in both academics and athletics, and the other 9 schools as wannabes??? last time i checked NW is a far superior school in academics to both Michigan and OSU...check out OSU graduation rate compared to the other 9 schools and then post more comments;) "

to hail to victors... wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:40 AM:

" Is App. State in the same league as your mighty Big Blue? Illinois may or may not win this saturday, but one thing is for sure, Illinois beat their Div 1AA team on its schedule "

To Iowa wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:40 AM:

" The Hawks SUCK, the only reason they won last week is because Zook gave them the game by accepting stupid penalties! "

Football Guy wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:16 AM:

" I think it's going to be a good game. I don't think Mendenhall we'll able to run all over the field. I do think if Zook spreads it out on offense, Michigan will have a tough time defending them. Illinois is a little lucky that Mike Hart is coming in injured, but that's part of the game. "

Hail to the Victors wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:42 AM:

" Illinois may be in the same conference as Michigan but the Illini are not in the same league, either in academics or athletics. The Big Ten is Michigan, Ohio State and nine wannabes. "

Think about it: wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:34 AM:

" If I fill a paper cup with tomato juice, and give it to an 3 yr. old monkey with one eye, he will probably kill me. On the other hand, if I give him a plastic cup with apple juice, I bet he gives me a big hug. Then we'll settle this argument once and for all. "

Mike Lamb wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:23 AM:

" I don't know why everyone is yammering about the Illini. The only team that is worth talking about is the Gators. Go Gators! The BEST orange and blue team!! "

The only way. . . wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:50 AM:

" Illlinois has a shot at winning this game if is Mike Hart isn't at 100% because of the slight ankle sprain he suffered last Saturday. Yeah, Michigan did lose to Appalachain State. Let's not forget that Appalachian State is the number 5 team in the nation in the FCS. So they are no slouches and Oregon is a top notch football program in the FBS. Illinois is going to lose 31-13. "

To BCS Garbage wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:45 AM:

" What D II school??? App. State is 1 AA. Not the same thing dude. "

IOWA wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:45 AM:

" Go Hawks! "

to Me and Garbage wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:36 AM:

" If they win the rest of their games they will be in a BCS bowl game(The Rose Bowl). As an Illini fan if you told me we had to lose to Appy State every year, but still end up in the Rose Bowl, I would say sign me up!!! Don't blame the BCS if Michigan ends up in the Rose Bowl. They would end up in the Rose Bowl w/out the BCS, remember you use to just have to win the Big Ten and Appy State has nothing to do with that. Just think if you had a 16 or 8 team playoff, UM could lose to Appy State and still get into the playoffs and win a NATIONAL TITLE!!! Illinois needs to put up or shut up this weekend. ABC, everybody in the country will be watching this is the time to make a statement. "

Preetha wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:29 AM:

" Go Illini! You can do it! "

Illinois44 wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:06 AM:

" Looking forward to Michigan coming to Illinois on Saturday. You can say all you want about Michigan's win streak, but they still lost to App. State. Can it get more pathetic than that? I hope all you Michigan fans enjoy seeing Mendenhall run up and down the field Saturday night. Next stop - ROSE BOWL!!!! "

what? wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:28 AM:

" Michigan still really hasn't beaten anybody. Their two big wins were against Purdue and PSU. Purdue is always overrated and I believe the Illini beat PSU. It will no doubt be a difficult game but I think those saying it will be a blow out are going a little out there (or maybe just a little bitter their team is garbage). "

Me wrote on Oct 15, 2007 9:51 PM:

" Even if Michigan wins every game for the rest of the year, they still lost to App State. Honestly, coming into this season, Michigan was a big time national title contender. "

BCS GARBAGE wrote on Oct 15, 2007 9:28 PM:

" Somehow Michigan gets in the tail end of BCS...even after losing to a D-II school and beating 1 ranked team....way to go BCS "

Easy Win ...right?? wrote on Oct 15, 2007 8:31 PM:

" Remember Illini fans when you were giving Michigan crap for losing to Appy State. Well, just keep that in mind about 10 o'clock on Saturday night. I hope Michigan drills every Big Ten opponent for the comments they made when they lost their first two games. The Illini are not ready for this. Hart will run free and the Illini secondary will be picked apart. The Juice will be out half way through the 2nd quarter. "

Illini and ISU Hater wrote on Oct 15, 2007 7:38 PM:

" Put the hurtin on em Michigan. Only bowl for Illinois this year is the toilet bowl. "

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