FOOTBALL QUICK FACTS Illinois Athletics Communication // 217-333-1391 // FightingIllini.com/media Football Co-Contacts: Kent Brown ([email protected]) and Derek Neal ([email protected]) UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Location: Urbana-Champaign Founded: 1867 2018 ILLINOIS SCHEDULE Enrollment: 44,880 DATE OPPONENT TIME (TV) LOCATION 2016 REC SERIES HISTORY (LAST) Colors: Orange & Blue Sept. 1 KENT STATE 11 am (BTN) MEMORIAL STADIUM 2-10 ILL leads 1-0 (2015) Nickname: Fighting Illini Conference: Big Ten (West Division) Sept. 8 WESTERN ILLINOIS 6:30 pm (BTN) MEMORIAL STADIUM 8-4 (FCS) ILL leads 2-0 (2015) President: Timothy L. Killeen Sept. 15 vs. South Florida 2:30 pm (BTN) Soldier Field, Chicago 10-2 USF leads 1-0 (2017) Chancellor: Robert J. Jones Sept. 21 PENN STATE 8 pm (FS1) MEMORIAL STADIUM 11-2 PSU leads 18-5 (2015) Director of Athletics: Josh Whitman Oct. 6 at Rutgers TBA Piscataway, N.J. 4-8 Tied 2-2 (2017) Stadium: Memorial Stadium (FieldTurf – 60,670) Oct. 13 PURDUE (Homecoming) 2:30/3 pm (TBA) MEMORIAL STADIUM 7-6 ILL leads 44-43-6 (2017) Oct. 20 at Wisconsin 11 am (TBA) Madison, Wis. 13-1 WIS leads 41-36-7 (2017) COACHING STAFF Oct. 27 at Maryland TBA College Park, Md. 4-8 First Meeting Head Coach: Lovie Smith Nov. 3 MINNESOTA TBA MEMORIAL STADIUM 5-7 MINN leads 38-29-3 (2017) Alma Mater: Tulsa, 1980 Nov. 10 at Nebraska TBA Lincoln, Neb. 4-8 NEB leads 11-3-1 (2017) Record at Illinois: 5-19 (2nd season) Nov. 17 IOWA TBA MEMORIAL STADIUM 8-5 ILL leads 38-33-2 (2017) Overall Record: 5-19 (2nd season) Nov. 24 at Northwestern TBA Evanston, Ill. 10-3 ILL leads 55-51-5 (2017) Assistant Coaches: Dec. 1 Big Ten Championship Game TBA Indianapolis, Ind. Hardy Nickerson: Assistant HC / DC / LB Rod Smith: / Quarterbacks Gill Byrd: Passing Game Coordinator / Safeties TABLE OF CONTENTS Bob Ligashesky: Special Teams Coordinator Luke Butkus: Offensive Line MEDIA INFORMATION THE RECORD BOOK Austin Clark: Defensive Line 2-4 Media Services 92-93 Individual Records / NCAA Records Andrew Hayes-Stoker: Wide Receivers 2 Athletics Communication Staff 94 Starter Records Cory Patterson: Tight Ends 3 Road Credential Info 95 Big Ten Records Miles Smith: Defensive Backs 4 Fighting Illini Sports Network 96-97 Team Records Thad Ward: Running Backs 5 2018-19 Bowl Schedule / B1G Composite Schedule 98-101 Rushing Records 6-7 Preseason Notes 101 Total Offense Records Rob Delaney: Offensive Graduate Assistant 8 2017 Starters 101 All-Purpose Records Jake Ellsworth: Defensive Graduate Assistant 8 Pronunciation Guide 102-103 Passing Records Joe Fotu: Defensive Graduate Assistant 104-106 Receiving Records Zach Grant: Offensive Graduate Assistant THE FIGHTING ILLINI 107-108 Scoring Records 10-11 2017 Alphabetical & Numerical Rosters 109 Punting Records SUPPORT STAFF 12 Roster Breakdown 110 Punt Return Records Assistant AD, Football Operations: Tim Knox 13-40 Player Bios 111 Kickoff Return Records Director of Player Personnel: James Kirkland 112-114 Defensive Records THE COACHING STAFF 116 Memorial Stadium Records Director of Player Development: Tre Stallings 42-44 Lovie Smith, Head Coach 117-118 Attendance Records Head Strength & Conditioning Coach: Joey Boese 45 Hardy Nickerson, Asst. HC / Def. Coordinator / LB 118 Homecoming Scores Jeremy Busch Head Football Athletic Trainer: 46 Rod Smith, Offensive Coordinator / QB 119 The Last Time Director of Football Video: Alex Benizzi 47 Gill Byrd, Def. Passing Game Coordinator / Safeties 120-121 Longest Plays of the Year Equipment Manager: Trent Chesnut 48 Bob Ligashesky, Special Team Coordinator / TE 122-131 Year-By-Year Scores 49 Luke Butkus, Offensive Line 132 Annual Team Records / All-time Coaching Records FOOTBALL INFORMATION 50 Austin Clark, Defensive Line 133 All-time Assistant Coaches 2017 Record: 2-10, 0-9 (7th Big Ten West Division) 51 Andrew Hayes-Stoker, Wide Receivers 134-136 Annual Team Statistics Offensive Formation: Multiple 52 Cory Patterson, Tight Ends 137-141 All-Time Series Records Defensive Formation: 4-3 53 Miles Smith, Defensive Backs 142-143 Illini vs. Ranked Opponents 2017 Starters Returning/Lost: 16/8 54 Thad Ward, Running Backs 144 Illinois Results When Ranked Off: 7/4 Def: 7/4 ST (PK/P): 2/0 55-56 Graduate Assistant Coach Bios 145-148 Postseason Bowl History 2017 Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 41/18 57-59 Analyst Bios 149-150 Postseason Bowl Records 60 Strength and Conditioning Staff Off: 17/9 Def: 20/9 ST (PK/P/LS): 4/0 61 Football Operations / Administration HISTORY All-Time Record (Years): 602-585-51 (128) 62 Recruiting Staff 152 National Championship Teams All-Time Big Ten Record (Years): 341-426-32 (122) 63 Player Development Staff 153 Retired Numbers Memorial Stadium Record (Years): 270-236-14 (95) 64 Athletic Training Staff 154 Butkus Award Big Ten Championships (Last): 15 (2001) 65 Football Video Staff 155-156 Hall of Fame National Championships (Last): 5 (1951) 66 Football Equipment Staff 157 Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Bowl Appearances (Last): 18 (2014 Heart of Dallas) 67 Nutrition Staff 158-159 Consensus All-Americans All-Time Bowl Record: 8-10 (.444) 68 Academics / Support Staff / Athletic Board 160-161 All-America Selections 69-70 Director of Athletics Josh Whitman 162-163 All-Big Ten Selections FOOTBALL CONTACT INFORMATION 71-72 University Administration 164 National & All-B1G Awards / Team MVPs Office Phone: 217-333-1400 165 Football Captains Mailing Address: Memorial Stadium 2017 SEASON IN REVIEW 166 Illini in the Heisman Voting / Capel Award 1402 South First St, NE Tower, Champaign, IL 61820 74-75 2017 Season Highlights and Awards 167-168 Academic Honors 76 NCAA & B1G Ranks / All-B1G Teams 169-172 All-Time Starters FOLLOW THE ILLINI 77-81 2017 Illinois Team & Individual Statistics 173-175 Illini in the NFL / Illini in the Super Bowl FightingIllini.com 82 Game-By-Game Statistics and Starters 176-177 Illini in the NFL Draft Twitter: @IlliniFootball 83 2017 Starter Quick Facts 178-182 All-Time Illini on NFL Rosters 183-191 All-Time Letterwinners Instagram: @IlliniFootball 84 Scoring Drives / Big Plays 85-86 Team & Individual Superlative Stats 192 Rivalry Trophies Facebook: Fighting Illini Football 87-90 Game Summaries 193-194 Memorial Stadium 2018 ILLINOIS FOOTBALL RECORD BOOK // 1 MEDIA INFORMATION MEDIA SERVICES

DIA INTERVIEW PROCEDURE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION To facilitate the schedules of Division of Intercollegiate Athletics coaches and administrators and to expedite media requests, Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building // 1700 South Fourth Street // Champaign, IL 61820 the University of Illinois Athletics Communication Office requires (217) 333-1391 // Fax: (217) 333-5540 // fightingillini.com/media media personnel to arrange interview requests through the Athletics Communication staff. This interview procedure is designed to enhance the availability of DIA staff members to answer questions from the media at a time which best facilitates each individual’s schedule.

In most situations, student-athletes are not available on the day of scheduled intercollegiate competition until after Kent Brown Derrick Burson Derek Neal Brett Moore Jenny Dewar Libby Knight Jen Fisher the event is completed. Players have been instructed not to talk to media who haven’t coordinated their requests through Athletic Communications. The team locker room and training room are off limits to media personnel. PRESS BOX ENTRANCE TO PRESS BOX Enter the press box through Gate 10 via the press elevator located near the northwest corner of Kevin Cole Michael Girot Diana Ly Adam Marantz Trevor Diedrich Grace Duggan Memorial Stadium (press box side of the field). Press level for KENT BROWN Associate Athletic Director – Communication / Co-Football Contact (coaches) (217) 244-6533 [email protected] all working media is Level 8. DERRICK BURSON Assistant Athletic Director (217) 333-0933 [email protected] DEREK NEAL Associate Director / Co-Football Contact (players) (217) 244-3707 [email protected] MEDIA WILL CALL (State Farm Center Ticket Window inside BRETT MOORE Assistant Director / Assistant Football Contact (217) 244-2092 [email protected] west entrance): Credentials that are not mailed may be JENNY DEWAR Assistant Director (217) 244-5045 [email protected] picked up at the “Press Will Call” at the State Farm Center LIBBY KNIGHT Assistant Director (217) 265-8171 [email protected] ticket office located inside the main west entrance to SFC. KEVIN COLE Graduate Assistant (217) 300-1503 [email protected] Will call opens two hours before kickoff. Persons picking up MICHAEL GIROT Intern (217) 300-1449 [email protected] DIANA LY Intern (217) 300-1569 [email protected] credentials will be required to provide photo identification. JEN FISHER Office Manager (217) 333-1391 [email protected] All credentials are non-transferable. To pick up a parking pass at the Will Call window, use temporary parking in the ADAM MARANTZ Director of Creative Services (217) 300-1325 [email protected] circle drive. TREVOR DIEDRICH Assistant Director of Marketing & Creative (217) 300-3886 [email protected] GRACE DUGGAN Social Media Strategist (217) 300-1569 [email protected] WORKING PRESS DECK (Level 8): This level is reserved for print media, originating and non-originating radio, network HOME-GAME CREDENTIALS television and athletic communications personnel. Wireless Media and photography credentials, and parking applications CREDITS internet is available free of charge to working media. Wifi will be accepted online at fightingIllini.com/media. Season Executive Editor: Derek Neal passcodes for “DIA-Private” are available in the press box. credential requests should be made by Monday, Aug. 20. Single-game credential requests should be made two weeks Editor/Interior Design: Derek Neal, Brett Moore PHOTO DECK (Level 5): This deck, located on the West prior to each game to ensure mail delivery, or no later than Balcony level, offers a limited area for all broadcast video Editorial Assistance: Brett Moore, Grace Duggan, Monday before each game for Will Call or pre-game day Kent Brown photographers who are covering the game. This area also will pickup. Illinois athletics communication staff will review be used by network television and Fighting Illini Productions. each application and individuals will receive an e-mail Cover Designs: Trevor Diedrich Food service for media utilizing this area is in the main press notification following that review. Please note that in the box (Level 8) or in the photo tent. Photography: Mark Jones, Darrell Hoemann, Bradley event of heavy demand for credentials for a particular game, Leeb, Craig Pessman, Cary Frye, Trevor Diedrich, requests will be prioritized according to published circulation PHOTO TENT (field level/SE corner): This area, underneath Derek Neal, Brett Moore numbers. Spouses, dates, non-workers and children will not the southeast corner of the Horseshoe, offers a field-level be permitted in the press box. Media agencies violating this Printing: Premier Print Group, Champaign, Illinois work room for photographers covering the game. In addition policy could have future credential requests denied. The press to work tables and power outlets, wireless internet service is box is open to the media four hours prior to kickoff and will provided. Wifi passcodes for “DIA-Private” are available in ROAD GAME CREDENTIALS close three hours after the conclusion of the Illinois press the photo tent each game. This area contains pregame and See page 3 for instructions on how to request credentials for conference. halftime food service for photographers. Photo vests are Illinois’ road contests. obtained here and are required to shoot from the field. SIDELINE: Photographers with game-day sideline credentials CREDENTIAL USE These vests must be returned following the game. must enter through the press box entrance on the northwest Working credentials are subject in all respects to the Media side of Memorial Stadium (Gate 10). To secure a photo vest, SUITES AND CLUB SEATS (Levels 3/6/7): These levels contain Credential Criteria and Policies set forth by the Big Ten photographers must go to the photo tent in the southeast individual suites and club seating for the Colonnades Club Conference and University of Illinois as in effect from time to corner of the playing field. Game credential alone will not and 77 Club. Levels 6 and 7 are not accessible to the media. time. Working credentials are issued for the sole purpose gain admittance to the sidelines during the game. You of providing facility access to an accredited agency’s must have a photo vest. Refreshments are available for SIDELINES employee who has a legitimate working function (media or photographers in the photo tent before the game and at The University of Illinois follows NCAA and Big Ten game service) in conjunction with a game or games. It is halftime. Wireless passwords also can be obtained in the rules regarding media representatives on the sidelines. non-transferable and non-assignable, and any duplication or photo tent. Photographers are not permitted to shoot between the alteration of this document is prohibited. Any unauthorized 25-yard lines and must wear both a sideline credential and a use of this credential subjects the bearer to ejection from the photo vest at all times. Violators of the policy will be escorted facility and prosecution for criminal trespass. Any secondary from the stadium. use of any picture, photograph, audio description, video, film/tape, drawing or other description of a game taken or made by the accredited organization or individual to whom

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a credential has been issued (including, but not limited WIRELESS ACCESS CREDENTIALS REQUESTS to use in delayed editorial or non-editorial advertising, Media members and photographers will have complimentary sales promotion or merchandising) is prohibited without access to the internet during games through a wireless Illinois Home & Soldier Field Credentials prior specific written approval of the University of Illinois network (DIA-Private). WIFI passwords are printed on the or the . Nothing in these terms and name card at your seat in the press box or can be obtained www.fightingillini.com/media conditions authorizes or allows bearer to violate any of the from an athletics communication representative in the trademarks, copyright and other proprietary rights of the press box or photo tent. University of Illinois or the Big Ten Conference. A maximum Road Game Credentials of two minutes (2:00) of game video footage (without audio) PREGAME AND POSTGAME SERVICES Play-by-play, halftime and complete final statistics, quote Rutgers: www.sportssystems.com/rutgers may be utilized during the one week period following the conclusion of the game solely within regularly scheduled sheets, and pregame and postgame notes are all regular Wisconsin: https://sportssystems.com/wisconsin bona fide news programming distributed via television, and services on game day. Coach Lovie Smith and selected may not be distributed via the internet, wireless or other Illinois players will be available approximately 10-15 Maryland: www.sportssystems.com/maryland forms of media. minutes after the conclusion of the game and will be Nebraska: www.sportssystems.com/nebraska brought to the interview room (located in the team room LIVE BLOGGING/VIDEO on the ground floor of the football facility in the northeast Northwestern: www.sportssystems.com/northwestern Media Agencies and Representatives shall not transmit corner of Memorial Stadium). A member of the UI Athletics or display any real-time video or audio, while the event Communication staff will escort media members to the or live network presentation of the event is in progress. Illinois interview area and will leave the press box with Photographs or any text-based accounts or descriptions of approximately eight minutes remaining in the game. Media the event (including without limitation, any web log, blog, will be escorted to the postgame interview area through online journal or other web-based publication) during the football recruiting area under the north stands, with event is only allowed with advance permission of the Illinois entrance through the glass door near the northeast corner OPPONENT SID CONTACTS Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. of the field. Those interested in audio-taping grouped interviews should connect their recorders to the distribution KENT STATE - AARON CHIMENTI WEB SITES amplifier provided. Output from the device is microphone (330) 672-8468 // [email protected] Media credentials are issued only for individuals who are level, terminated in 1/8” two-conductor plugs and jacks, Website: www.kentstatesports.com affiliated with web sites for national or regional television or three-pin standard microphone male connectors. The and news media organizations, e.g. USA Today Online, visiting team personnel will lead media to the visitor’s WESTERN ILLINOIS - MONYAE WILLIAMSON ESPN, CNN/SI, CBS Sportsline, Rivals.com, Scout.com, interview area, located near the visiting locker room in the (309) 298-1133 // [email protected] etc., for institutions that are conference members and northwest corner of the stadium. Website: www.goleathernecks.com non-conference opponents, and for the Big Ten Conference. The University of Illinois reserves the right to deny media WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEON SOUTH FLORIDA - BRIAN SIEGRIST credentials to any individual whose web site is not affiliated The best time to interview head coach Lovie Smith is each (813) 974-4086 // [email protected] with an official news-gathering organization. Monday at his weekly press luncheon at 1 p.m. CT in the Website: www.GoUSFBulls.com 8th Level media area of Memorial Stadium. The press PARKING PENN STATE - KRISTINA PETERSEN conference also can be accessed via teleconference and Media parking is located in Lot 32, which is located at is livestream on fightingillini.com. Full video and selected (814) 865-2497 // [email protected] the southwest corner of First and Kirby, south of Memorial quotes will be posted on FightingIllini.com by 5 p.m. on Website: www.gopsusports.com Stadium. Entrance to the parking lot is off First Street. Monday. Contact the Athletics Communication Office for RUTGERS - HASIM PHILLIPS Parking credentials should be requested at the same time the conference phone number. Media parking is free in the game-day working credentials are requested. If time permits State Farm Center northwest parking lot or at meters in (732) 445-6069 // [email protected] (at least 10 working days), both credentials will be mailed. the ARC lot. The DIA is not responsible for any parking Website: www.scarletknights.com Those who request parking passes the week of the game tickets received. Illinois offers head coach Lovie Smith’s PURDUE - MATT RECTOR should pick them up by 5 p.m. Friday at the UI Athletics weekly press conference to television stations through a Communication Office (1700 S. Fourth St., Champaign) (765) 494-3196 // [email protected] Box account on Mondays beginning Aug. 27 and running when possible. On game day, media with credentials at Will every week (except for bye weeks) of the season. For access Website: www.purduesports.com Call have their names on a list to gain entrance to lot 32. information to the Box account and exact time, contact WISCONSIN - BRIAN LUCAS Athletics Communication at (217) 333-1391. (608) 263-5052 // [email protected] HOTEL ROOMS The Athletics Communication Office has a limited number Website: www.uwbadgers.com PLAYER INTERVIEWS of rooms reserved in the Champaign-Urbana area. Please Monday: 1:20-2pm, Press Level Memorial Stadium. Selected MARYLAND - DUSTIN SEMONAVICK contact Athletic Communications office manager Jennifer players along with approved requested players following (301) 314-7065 // [email protected] Fisher, 217-333-1391, at least two weeks in advance. Coach Smith’s weekly press luncheon. Monday player Website: www.gophersports.com These rooms will be filled on a first-come, first-served requests must be received by athletics communication staff basis. by 2 p.m. on Sunday. MINNESOTA - PAUL ROVNAK (612) 625-9379 // [email protected] TELEPHONES Tuesday: Offensive players not involved in press conference Website: www.gophersports.com Telephone lines in the press box must be ordered at least on Monday are available, by request, after practice (approx. two weeks in advance of the game(s) for which they are 9:30 am) in the recruiting area on the north end of Memorial NEBRASKA - KEITH MANN needed. The orders should be addressed to AT&T (800/321- Stadium or on the grass practice fields depending on where (402) 472-0237 // [email protected] 8152 or 800/443-9370 fax), during regular business hours. where practice held. Interview requests should be submitted Website: www.huskers.com No telephone lines or instruments are available through to Derek Neal ([email protected]) by Noon on Tuesday. the UI Athletic Communications Office. The stadium IOWA - STEVE ROE address is 1402 South First Street, Champaign, IL 61820. Wednesday: Defensive players not involved in press (319) 335-9411 // [email protected] Photographers are encouraged to use wireless access in the conference on Monday are available, by request, after Website: www.hawkeyesports.com photo tent rather than installing phone lines. practice (approx. 9:30 am) in the recruiting area on the north end of Memorial Stadium or on the grass practice NORTHWESTERN - PAUL KENNEDY fields depending on where where practice held. Interview (847) 467-2028 // [email protected] requests should be submitted to Derek Neal (drneal@ Website: www.NUsports.com illinois.edu) by Noon on Wednesday.

2018 ILLINOIS FOOTBALL RECORD BOOK // 3 MEDIA INFORMATION

Phone Interviews - Monday at press box media access and BIG TEN TELECONFERENCE FIGHTINGILLINI.COM after practice on Tuesday and Wednesday if time allows. The Big Ten will once again feature a weekly teleconference All Illinois media releases, statistics, live and archived Requests should be submitted to Derek Neal (drneal@ on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT. Coach Smith will be press conferences, and video of coach and player interviews illinois.edu) at least 24 hours prior to the interview. available via the Big Ten teleconference every Tuesday at are available on the official University of Illinois website, 12:04 pm CT. The teleconferences will begin Tuesday, Aug. www.fightingillini.com. The website also offers live audio First-year freshmen will be available once they have played 28 and conclude Nov. 20. For information on how to access broadcasts of all Illinois football games and the coach’s in a game or at the discretion of Coach Lovie Smith. the teleconference, please call Adam Augustine at the Big radio show broadcasts. Ten Conference Office at (847) 696-1010. Please arrange interview requests in advance with SOCIAL MEDIA Kent Brown, Derek Neal or Brett Moore in the Athletics 2018 Big Ten Teleconference Schedule (CT) Fighting Illini fans and media can get all the latest news Communication Office, 217-333-1391. We will make every 11:00 a.m. – Chris Ash, Rutgers on the football team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and effort to fulfill your request, but the student-athletes’ 11:08 a.m. – Jim Harbaugh, Michigan YouTube. academic and athletic requirements take priority. 11:16 a.m. – Paul Chryst, Wisconsin 11:24 a.m. – Scott Frost, Nebraska COACH INTERVIEWS 11:32 a.m. – Mark Dantonio, Michigan State Coach Lovie Smith is available for media interviews 11:40 a.m. – Kirk Ferentz, Iowa Mondays (except bye weeks) during the regularly scheduled 11:48 a.m. – P.J. Fleck, Minnesota press conference at approximately 1 pm. Coordinators, 11:56 a.m. – Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern along with select players, are available Mondays beginning 12:04 p.m. – Lovie Smith, Illinois at approximately 1:20 pm. Smith will be available after 12:12 p.m. – DJ Durkin, Maryland practice on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Assistant coaches 12:20 p.m. – Jeff Brohm, Purdue 12:28 p.m. – James Franklin, Penn State that are not coodinators are not available for interviews FIGHTING ILLINI FOOTBALL during the season. 12:36 p.m. – Urban Meyer, Ohio State 12:44 p.m. – Tom Allen, Indiana Phone interviews with Coach Smith may also be arranged @ILLINIFOOTBALL through Athletics Communication office. Please arrange LOVIE SMITH RADIO SHOW Smith interview requests in advance with Kent Brown in the @ILLINIFOOTBALL Athletics Communication Office, 217-333-1391. The “Lovie Smith Show” airs Monday nights from 7-8 p.m. on the Illini Sports Network. The live call-in show, orginating COLLEGEPRESSBOX.COM from Buffalo Wild Wings in Savoy, allows UI students and Collegepressbox.com is the official media website for the Champaign-Urbana community the opportunity to meet Big Ten football. Download weekly game notes, quotes, Smith and ask questions about the Illinois football program. statistics, media guides, headshots, logos and more for The show is hosted by Brian Barnhart, the play-by-play voice the conference and each of its member schools. Login of Fighting Illini football. information will be distributed to accredited media or apply for a password via e-mail: [email protected].

FIGHTING ILLINI SPORTS NETWORK

During the 2007 season, Barnhart was honored by the Illinois Broadcasters Association with the “Silver Dome Award for Best Sports Play-by-Play” for his call of Illinois’ football upset of No. 1 Ohio State. In 2008, Barnhart was named “Sportscaster of the Year” in the state of Illinois by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Former Illini All-American offensive lineman Martin O’Donnell returns to the Fighting Illini Sports Network for his fourth season (as of July 18, 2018) as an expert analyst in 2018. O’Donnell, who lettered at Illinois 2018-19 STATION LIST from 2004-07, and earned All-America honors at left guard in Aledo, WRMJ-FM 102.3 Litchfield, WAOX-FM 105.3 Alton, WBGZ-AM 1570 Macomb, WKXQ-FM 92.5 Martin O’Donnell, Steve Kelly, and Brian Barnhart 2007 after helping lead the Illini to the 2008 Rose Bowl, replaced former Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner in the booth. Alton, WBGZ-FM 94.3 Mattoon, WHQQ-FM 98.9 Bloomington, WRPW-FM 92.9 Mt. Carmel, WSJD-FM 100.5 The 47-station Fighting Illini Sports Network – plus SiriusXM Former Illinois and NFL fullback Jason Davis was hired as the Canton, WBYS-AM 1560 Murphysboro, WINI-AM 1420 sattelite radio and TuneIn internet radio – brings Illinois football sideline reporter for football games in 2018. Jason Davis played Canton, WBYS-FM 93.7 Murphysboro, WINI-FM 93.5 to fans across the state and Midwest with Brian Barnhart, Martin in 39 games at Illinois from 2002-05 and spent five years in the Carbondale, WINI-FM 93.5 Olney, WSEI-FM 92.9 O’Donnell and Jason Davis calling the action. NFL, including the 2008 season with Lovie Smith’s Chicago Bears. Champaign, WDWS-AM 1400 Paxton, WPXN-FM 104.9 Champaign, WHMS-FM 97.5 Peoria, WZPN-FM 101.1 In 2018, Barnhart will be in his 17th season as the “Voice of the Along with Barnhart, O’Donnell and Davis on the broadcast again Chicago, WSCR-AM 670 Pittsfield, WBBA-FM 97.5 Illini” after a long stint in professional baseball, including two this fall is Steve Kelly, a veteran Illini sportscaster who handles Chicago, WJMK-HD2 104.3 Quincy, WTAD-AM 930 years as the play-by-play voice of the Anaheim Angels. Barnhart pregame, halftime and postgame host duties. Kelly has covered Danville, WDAN-AM 1490 Quincy, WTAD-FM 103.3 serves as the voice of the Illini Sports Network, providing play-by- Illini athletics for over two decades on television and radio. Danville, WDNL-FM 102.1 Robinson, WTYE-FM 101.7 play coverage of football and men’s basketball and as the host He hosts “Saturday Morning Sportsline” along with Loren Tate Davenport, IA, WFXN-AM 1230 Rockford, WROK-AM 1440 of the statewide coaches call-in program every Monday night at 7 Saturday mornings on WDWS-AM 1400 in Champaign. Decatur, WSOY-AM 1340 Rushville, WKXQ-FM 92.5 p.m., live from Buffalo Wild Wings in Savoy. Decatur, WSOY-FM 103.3 Salem, WJBD-AM 1350 The statewide Fighting Illini Sports Network is managed by Dwight, WJEZ-FM 98.9 Salem, WJBD-FM 100.1 A native of nearby Tolono, Barnhart graduated Liberty University Fighting Illini Sports Properties and encompasses all sponsorship Effingham, WHQQ-FM 98.9 Sparta, WHCO-AM 1230 before beginning a 15-year career in professional baseball in and operational elements. Illini Sports Network programming Fairfield, WFIW-AM 1390 Springfield, WFMB-AM 1450 1986. In 1998, Barnhart was named the play-by-play announcer includes hour-long pregame and postgame shows around live Fairfield, WFIW-FM 103.3 Springfield, WFMB-FM 107.1 for the Angels and spent two full seasons with the and men’s basketball games, plus coverage of women’s Galesburg, WGIL-AM 1400 Springfield, WCVS-FM 96.7 League club before returning to the Champaign-Urbana area in basketball, volleyball and baseball, along with the “Illini Today” Galesburg, WGIL-FM 93.7 St. Louis, MO, KFNS-AM 590 2000. He currently is a news and sports announcer at WDWS- daily report. The “Lovie Smith Show” can be heard statewide, live Jacksonville, WJIL-AM 1550 Vandalia, IL, KPMB-AM AM 1400 in Champaign, hosting the popular “Penny for your from Buffalo Wild Wings in Savoy, on the Illini Sports Network Jacksonville, WJIL-FM 102.9 Watseka, WGFA-FM 94.1 Thoughts” show weekday mornings. every Monday beginning Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. Jerseyville, WJBM-AM 1480

4 // FIGHTING ILLINI FOOTBALL // FIGHTINGILLINI.COM // @ILLINIFOOTBALL // #ILLINI MEDIA INFORMATION

2018-19 BOWL SCHEDULE Date ...... Bowl ...... Location ...... Central Time (Network) ...... Matchup Dec. 15 ...... New Mexico ...... Albuquerque, N.M...... 1 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Pac-12 vs. MWC Dec. 15 ...... Cure ...... Orlando, Fla...... 1:30 p.m. (CBSSN) ...... AAC vs. Sun Belt Dec. 15 ...... Las Vegas ...... Las Vegas, Nev...... 2:30 p.m. (ABC) ...... Pac-12 vs. MWC Dec. 15 ...... Camellia ...... Montgomery, Ala...... 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) ...... MAC vs. Sun Belt Dec. 15 ...... New Orleans ...... New Orleans, La...... 8 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Sun Belt vs. C-USA Dec. 18 ...... Boca Raton ...... Boca Raton, Fla...... 6 p.m. (ESPN) ...... AAC vs. C-USA Dec. 19 ...... Frisco ...... Frisco, Tex...... 7 p.m. (ESPN) ...... AAC vs. at-large Dec. 20 ...... Gasparilla ...... St. Petersburg, Fla...... 7 p.m. (ESPN) ...... C-USA vs. AAC Dec. 21 ...... Bahamas ...... Nassau, Bah...... 11:30 a.m. (ESPN) ...... MAC vs. C-USA Dec. 21 ...... Idaho Potato ...... Boise, Idaho ...... 3 p.m. (ESPN) ...... MWC vs. MAC Dec. 22 ...... Birmingham ...... Birmingham, Ala...... 11 a.m. (ESPN) ...... SEC vs. AAC Dec. 22 ...... Armed Forces ...... Fort Worth, Tex...... 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big 12 vs. AAC Dec. 22 ...... Dollar General ...... Mobile, Ala...... 6 p.m. (ESPN) ...... MAC vs. Sun Belt Dec. 22 ...... Hawaii ...... Honolulu, Hawaii ...... 9:30 p.m. (ESPN) ...... MWC vs. C-USA Dec. 26 ...... Heart of Dallas ...... Dallas, Tex...... 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big 12 vs. C-USA Dec. 26 ...... Quick Lane ...... Detroit, Mich...... 4:15 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big Ten vs. ACC/ND Dec. 26 ...... Cactus ...... Phoenix, Ariz...... 8 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big 12 vs. Pac-12 Dec. 27 ...... Independence ...... Shreveport, La...... 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) ...... SEC vs. ACC/ND Dec. 27 ...... Pinstripe ...... New York ...... 4:15 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big Ten vs. ACC/ND Dec. 27 ...... Texas ...... Houston, Tex...... 8 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big 12 vs. SEC Dec. 28 ...... Music City ...... Nashville, Tenn...... 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) ...... SEC vs. B1G/ACC/ND Dec. 28 ...... Camping World ...... Orlando, Fla...... 4:15 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big 12 vs. ACC/ND Dec. 28 ...... Arizona ...... Tucson, Ariz...... 4:30 p.m. (CBSSN) ...... MWC vs. Sun Belt Dec. 28 ...... Alamo ...... San Antonio, Tex...... 8 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big 12- vs. Pac-12 Dec. 29 ...... Belk ...... Charlotte, N.C...... 11:30 a.m. (ABC) ...... AAC vs. ACC/ND Dec. 31 ...... Military ...... Annapolis, Md...... 11 a.m. (ESPN) ...... SEC vs. ACC/ND Dec. 31 ...... San Fran ...... Santa Clara, Calif...... 2 p.m. (FOX) ...... Big Ten vs. Pac-12 Dec. 31 ...... Liberty ...... Memphis, Tenn...... 2:45 p.m. (ESPN) ...... SEC vs. Big 12 Dec. 31 ...... Holiday ...... San Diego, Calif...... 5 p.m. (FS1) ...... Big Ten vs. Pac-12 Dec. 31 ...... Taxslayer ...... Jacksonville, Fla...... 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) ...... SEC vs. B1G/ACC/ND Dec. 31 ...... Sun ...... El Paso, Tex...... TBA (CBS) ...... ACC vs. Pac-12 Jan. 1 ...... Citrus ...... Orlando, Fla...... 12 p.m. (ABC) ...... SEC vs. Big Ten Jan. 1 ...... Outback ...... Tampa, Fla...... 11 a.m. (ESPN2) ...... SEC vs. Big Ten CFP Selection Committee Bowls (New Year’s Six) Dec. 29 ...... Peach ...... Atlanta, Ga...... Noon (ESPN) ...... At-large vs. At-large Jan. 1 ...... Fiesta ...... Glendale, Ariz...... 12 p.m. (ESPN) ...... At-large vs. At-large Jan. 1 ...... Rose ...... Pasadena, Calif...... 4 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big Ten vs. Pac-12 Jan. 1 ...... Sugar ...... New Orleans, La...... 7:45 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Big 12 vs. SEC College Football Playoff Dec. 29 ...... Cotton ...... Dallas, Tex...... 3 or 7 p.m. (ESPN) ...... CFP Semifinal Dec. 29 ...... Orange ...... Miami Gardens, Fla...... 3 or 7 p.m. (ESPN) ...... CFP Semifinal Jan. 7 ...... National Championship ...... Santa Clara, Calif...... 7 p.m. (ESPN) ...... Semifinal winners

2018 BIG TEN COMPOSITE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, AUG. 30 SATURDAY, SEPT. 15 SATURDAY, OCT. 6 SATURDAY, NOV. 3 FRIDAY, NOV. 23 New Mexico State at MINNESOTA Ball State at INDIANA MARYLAND at MICHIGAN Notre Dame at NORTHWESTERN NEBRASKA at IOWA NORTHWESTERN at PURDUE Temple at MARYLAND NORTHWESTERN at MICHIGAN ST MINNESOTA at ILLINOIS Troy at NEBRASKA IOWA at MINNESOTA MICHIGAN STATE at MARYLAND SATURDAY, NOV. 24 FRIDAY, AUG. 31 Kent State at PENN STATE INDIANA at OHIO STATE PENN STATE at MICHIGAN MICHIGAN at OHIO STATE Utah State at MICHIGAN STATE RUTGERS at Kansas ILLINOIS at RUTGERS NEBRASKA at OHIO STATE PURDUE at INDIANA Western Kentucky at WISCONSIN South Florida vs. ILLINOIS [2] NEBRASKA at WISCONSIN IOWA at PURDUE RUTGERS at MICHIGAN STATE SMU at MICHIGAN RUTGERS at WISCONSIN ILLINOIS at NORTHWESTERN SATURDAY, SEPT. 1 Miami (OH) at MINNESOTA SATURDAY, OCT. 13 MARYLAND at PENN STATE Kent State at ILLINOIS BYU at WISCONSIN IOWA at INDIANA SATURDAY, NOV. 10 MINNESOTA at WISCONSIN Oregon State at OHIO STATE Northern Iowa at IOWA RUTGERS at MARYLAND MARYLAND at INDIANA Texas State at RUTGERS Akron at NORTHWESTERN NEBRASKA at NORTHWESTERN NORTHWESTERN at IOWA SATURDAY, DEC. 1 MARYLAND vs. Texas [1] Missouri at PURDUE PURDUE at ILLINOIS OHIO STATE at MICHIGAN STATE Big Ten Championship Game [4] Northern Illinois at IOWA TCU vs. OHIO STATE [3] MICHIGAN STATE at PENN STATE PURDUE at MINNESOTA Appalachian State at PENN STATE MINNESOTA at OHIO STATE ILLINOIS at NEBRASKA [1] FedExField, Landover, Md. INDIANA at Florida International FRIDAY, SEPT. 21 WISCONSIN at MICHIGAN WISCONSIN at PENN STATE [2] Soldier Field, Chicago MICHIGAN at Notre Dame PENN STATE at ILLINOIS 9 p.m. FS1 MICHIGAN at RUTGERS [3] AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas Akron at NEBRASKA SATURDAY, OCT. 20 [4] Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis SATURDAY, SEPT. 22 MARYLAND at IOWA SATURDAY, NOV. 17 SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 Boston College at PURDUE NORTHWESTERN at RUTGERS IOWA at ILLINOIS Western Michigan at MICHIGAN MICHIGAN STATE at INDIANA ILLINOIS at WISCONSIN OHIO STATE at MARYLAND Duke at NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN at IOWA PENN STATE at INDIANA INDIANA at MICHIGAN Eastern Michigan at PURDUE MINNESOTA at MARYLAND MICHIGAN at MICHIGAN STATE NORTHWESTERN at MINNESOTA New Mexico at WISCONSIN NEBRASKA at MICHIGAN MINNESOTA at NEBRASKA MICHIGAN STATE at NEBRASKA Colorado at NEBRASKA Tulane at OHIO STATE OHIO STATE at PURDUE WISCONSIN at PURDUE RUTGERS at OHIO STATE Buffalo at RUTGERS FRIDAY, OCT. 26 PENN STATE at RUTGERS Iowa State at IOWA INDIANA at MINNESOTA 8 p.m. FS1 MARYLAND at Bowling Green SATURDAY, SEPT. 29 Western Illinois at ILLINOIS PURDUE at NEBRASKA SATURDAY, OCT. 27 Virginia at INDIANA Central Michigan at MICHIGAN ST ILLINOIS at MARYLAND Fresno State at MINNESOTA MICHIGAN at NORTHWESTERN IOWA at PENN STATE PENN STATE at Pittsburgh OHIO STATE at PENN STATE PURDUE at MICHIGAN STATE MICHIGAN STATE at Arizona State INDIANA at RUTGERS WISCONSIN at NORTHWESTERN

2018 ILLINOIS FOOTBALL RECORD BOOK // 5 MEDIA INFORMATION

PRESEASON NOTES CAREER STARTS LIST (returning players) • Opening Kick: The 2018 Fighting Illini will kick off year three of the Lovie Smith era on Sept. 1 when Kent State comes to Memorial Stadium. The Illini will be seeking their first bowl appearance since 2014. PLAYER ...... ’17 . ’16 .’15 . ’14 .TOT • Youth Movement, Part Two: For the second straight year, Illinois will put one of the youngest teams in the Allegretti, Nick ...... 12 . 12 . 0 . -- . .24 nation on the field (roster breakdown as of July 23, 2018). Dudek, Mike ...... 6 . . .-- . -- . 9 . .15 Green, Stanley ...... 7 . . . 7 . -- . -- . .14 » The 2018 Illinois roster includes just eight seniors and 24 total upperclassmen (8 seniors, 16 juniors). Milan, Jamal ...... 6 . . . 5 . .0 . -- . .11 » Illinois’ eight seniors is the lowest total in FBS heading into traning camps. Palczewski, Alex ...... 11 . -- . -- . -- . .11 8 – Illinois Hobbs, Nate ...... 10 . -- . -- . -- . .10 9 – Ball State, SMU Oliver, Tymir ...... 10 . 0 . -- . -- . .10 10 – WKU, Arizona Phillips, Del’Shawn . . . . 10 . -- . -- . -- . .10 12 – Auburn, Utah Smalling, Ricky ...... 10 . -- . -- . -- . .10 13 – Minnesota Boyd, Larry ...... 9 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 9 » In contrast, this year’s roster includes 77 underclassmen – 39 sophomores and 38 freshmen (31 Roundtree, Bobby ...... 9 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 9 true-freshmen and 7 redshirt freshmen). Watkins, Cameron ...... 7 . . . 2 . -- . -- . . 9 » Out of 101 players on the roster, 35 are newcomers (see roster breakdown on page 12). Jackson, Kenyon ...... 3 . . . 5 . -- . -- . . 8 Kramer, Doug ...... 8 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 8 » Only five players enter 2018 with more than 10 career starts, and only one has more than 15 – Nick Dorsey, Louis ...... 7 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 7 Allegretti 24, Mike Dudek 15, Stanley Green 14, Jamal Milan 11. Lowe, Vederian ...... 7 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 7 » The 2017 Illini squad had just nine seniors, tied for the second-lesst in FBS. Williams, Bennett ...... 7 . . .-- . -- .---- . .7 » Illinois played (22) and started (16) more true freshmen than any team in the country in 2017. Harding, Dele ...... 5 . . . 0 . -- . -- . . 5 • Punching It Out: The Illini forced 17 fumbles in 2017 to rank second in the nation in forced fumbles per Reams, Caleb ...... 3 . . . 1 . -- . -- . . 4 game (1.42), behind only Wyoming (1.69). The total of 17 forced fumbled tied for fouth-most overall, behind Woods, Jamal ...... 4 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 4 Wyoming (22), Utah State (18) and Texas A&M (18). Bonner, RaVon ...... 3 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 3 » Sophomore S Stanley Green has six forced fumbles in his 2-year Illini career which is tied for seventh- Epstein, Mike ...... 3 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 3 most in program history (dating back to 1990), and is T-1st in the B1G (Maryland’s Jermaine Carter, Adams, Tony ...... 2 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 2 Jr.) and T-10th in FBS over the last two seasons. Corbin, Reggie ...... 0 . . . 2 . -- . -- . . 2 • All-American Guy: Freshman safety Bennett Williams was named to ESPN.com’s true-freshman All- Gay, Isaiah ...... 2 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 2 America team in 2017. His 64 tackles were fifth-most on the team and the second most in the Big Ten by Marchese, Jimmy ...... 2 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 2 a freshman. Williams also picked off a team-high three passes, broke up two more, and had 1.5 tackles Mays, Sam ...... 0 . . . 1 . .1 . -- . . 2 for loss and a forced fumble. Thomas, Cam ...... 2 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 2 • Camping at Home: After holding preseason training camp off campus at “Camp Rantoul” for nearly two Brown, Dre ...... 1 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 1 decades, the Illini will hold their entire 2018 training camp on campus for the third straight year. The UI Davis, Trenard ...... 1 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 1 Campus Recreation Fields bordered by Florida Ave. and Goodwin Ave. in Urbana, just blocks from Memorial DeGroot, Dawson ...... 1 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 1 Stadium, will once again be the home of training camp after moving in 2017. In 2016, training camp was Hansen, Jake ...... -- . 1 . -- . -- . . 1 held at the grass practice fields next to Memorial Stadium. The first 14 practices (Aug. 3-18) will be open Knight, James ...... 1 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 1 to the public this year. Martin, Zeke ...... 1 . . . 0 . -- . -- . . 1 Roberts, Austin ...... 1 . . . 0 . .0 . -- . . 1 Shogbonyo, Ayo ...... 1 . . .-- . -- . -- . . 1 SAINT NICK Solomon, Adam ...... 1 . . . 0 . -- . -- . . 1 Junior OL Nick Allegretti is primed for a big senior season on and off the field. For the second straight season, Williams, Justice ...... 0 . . . 1 . -- . -- . . 1 the Frankford, Ill., native was named to the preseason watch list for the AFCA Good Works Team – which is one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football, honoring a student-athlete’s dedication to -- = Redshirted/did not play/not on squad; 0 = Played, didn’t start volunteerism, community involvement and enriching the lives of others. Allegretti has started all 24 games on the offensive line over the last two seasons, is the team’s Uplifting Athletes president, which has raised over $75,000 to fight rare diseases under his leadership, and is very active in the Tom Jones Challenger Baseball 2018-19 BIG TEN BOWL POSSIBILITIES League. A 2017 team captain, Allegretti was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick on the offensive line. Jan. 7 CFP National Championship Game Dec. 29 CFB Playoff Semifinals (Cotton & Orange) LOVIE’S STAFF AGAIN LOADED WITH NFL EXPERIENCE Jan. 1 Rose Bowl vs. Pack-12 Lovie Smith’s Fighting Illini coaching staff (see left column of page 1) is loaded with experience from the NFL level, boasting 60 years of coaching in the NFL – the most of any college staff in the country. Of the 11 full Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl vs. SEC time coaches (including Lovie), six have NFL experience: Lovie Smith, Hardy Nickerson, Bob Ligashesky, Luke Jan. 1 Outback Bowl vs. SEC Butkus, Gill Byrd and Andrew Hayes-Stoker. Dec. 31 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl B1G/ACC/ND vs. SEC Dec. 31 SDCCU Holiday Bowl vs. Pac-12 » 87 Years NCAA Coaching Experience » 60 Years NFL Coaching Experience Dec. 31 San Francisco Bowl vs. Pac-12 » 37 Years NFL Playing Experience Dec. 28 Franklin American Music City Bowl B1G/ACC vs. SEC » 3 Super Bowl Appearances Dec. 27 New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC/ND » 1 Super Bowl Title Dec. 26 Quick Lane Bowl vs. ACC/ND » 1 NFL Coach of the Year Dec. 26 Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl vs. Conference USA » 1 NCAA Championship

6 // FIGHTING ILLINI FOOTBALL // FIGHTINGILLINI.COM // @ILLINIFOOTBALL // #ILLINI MEDIA INFORMATION

FOOTBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER COMING IN 2019 FUTURE SCHEDULES 2017-18 FOOTBALL GRADUATES (29) Dramatic upgrades are coming soon to the Fighting Illini football facilities. Plans currently under construction call for a brand-new DECEMBER 2017 2019 // FINAL Aug. 31 Akron Allegretti, Nick Accountancy 107,000 square foot, $79.2 million Illinois Football Performance Center Sept. 7 @ UConn Crouch, Chayce Marketing & Business Process Mgmt. (double) next to the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility, and adjacent to Memorial Sept. 14 Eastern Michigan Dudek, Mike Marketing & Business Process Mgmt. (double) Stadium. Construction broke ground in December 2017, with the project Sept. 21 Nebraska Tucker, Ryan Communication scheduled for completion prior to the start of the 2019 season. More Sept. 28 OPEN Watson, Tre Community Health information on the project can be found at http://illinoisrenaissance.com. Oct. 5 @ Minnesota White, Tyler Technical Systems Management Oct. 12 Michigan Oct. 19 Wisconsin (HC) MAY 2018 Oct. 26 @ Purdue Adesanya, Sean Recreation Sport and Tourism ILLINI STORYLINES Nov. 2 Rutgers Corbin, Reggie Communication • Future Coaches: Illini RB Reggie Corbin got a taste of coaching this Nov. 9 @ Michigan State Nov. 16 OPEN Dumezich, Steve Accountancy past summer. Corbin, along with Illini teammates Justice Williams and Dunlap, Jaylen Educ. Policy, Org. and Leadership (Master’s) Nov. 23 @ Iowa Echard, Nate Technology Management (Master’s) Del’Shawn Phillips, led the Seahawks to an undefeated 5-0 record in the Nov. 30 Northwestern Dec. 7 B1G Championship Fagan , Jordan Economics inaugural season of the Tuscola Flag Football League. The trio connected George Jr., Jeff Business Management with nine-year old Illini superfan Colton Rahn, who has cerebral palsey, Hayes, Ahmari Sociology this past winter when a group of football student-athletes drove to 2020 // FINAL Heath, Zach Recreation Sport and Tourism Sept. 5 Florida Atlantic Tuscola to cheer on Colton’s basketball team. Sept. 12 UConn Hylton, Julian Kinesiology • First-time Footballer: Sophomore punter Blake Hayes, a native of Sept. 19 Bowling Green James, Chris Recreation Sport and Tourism Sept. 26 OPEN Lloyd, Brandon Communication Melbourne, Australia, had never played in or attended a college football Oct. 3 @ Rutgers McGrew, Henry Recreation Sport and Tourism game until making his Illini debut against Ball State on Sept. 2. Hayes Oct. 10 @ Nebraska McLaughlin, Chase Technical Systems Management played Australian rules football before training at ProKick Australia for Oct. 17 Purdue Odenigbo, Tito Communication two years in hopes of getting a college scholarship in the United States. Oct. 24 Minnesota Oct. 31 @ Wisconsin Roberts, Brandon Technology Management (Master’s) It paid off, as the Aussie earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as Roberts, Jordan Broadcast Journalism Nov. 7 Iowa Nov. 14 @ Indiana Spencer, Joe Business Administration (Master’s) a true-freshman, averaging 42.0 yards per punt. Nov. 21 Ohio State Turner, Malik Recreation Sport and Tourism • Facebook Find: Facebook was a key part in the recruitment of sophomore Nov. 28 @ Northwestern AUGUST 2018 safety Bennett Williams, at least according to Illini defensive coordinator Dec. 5 B1G Championship Brown, Dre Recreation Sport and Tourism Hardy Nickerson. Nickerson was a teammate of Bennett’s father, Garey Foster, Kendrick Recreation, Sport, and Tourism (Master’s) Williams, at Cal and the two are connected on Facebook. Nickerson says 2021 // FINAL Sept. 4 UTSA Nelson, Patrick Recreation Sport and Tourism he would see highlights of Bennett on Garey’s Facebook page and became Sept. 11 @ Virginia Williams, Justice Business Management more impressed as he got older, eventually leading to his recruitment to Sept. 18 Maryland Illinois. Williams earned true-freshman All-America honors after making Sept. 25 @ Purdue Bold = on 2018 roster Oct. 2 Charlotte 64 tackles and leading the team with three interceptions in 2017. Oct. 9 OPEN Oct. 16 @ Penn State Oct. 23 Wisconsin MAKING THE GRADE Oct. 30 Rutgers Nov. 6 @ Minnesota The Illini continue to excel in the classroom. Nov. 13 Nebraska 2017 ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN (32) • A total of 29 football student-athletes earned degrees in 2017-18, Nov. 20 @ Iowa Sean Adesanya Recreation, Sport, & Tourism Nov. 27 Northwestern including seven that are on the 2018 roster pursuing master’s Dec. 4 B1G Championship Nick Allegretti Accountancy degrees. Christian Bobak Finance Dre Brown Recreation, Sport, & Tourism • Illini players have earned 141 degrees in the last four years – 29 2022 // B1G Schedule TBA Jake Cerny Business Undeclared in 2018, 32 in 2017, 42 in 2016 and 38 in 2015. Sept. 10 Virginia Reggie Corbin Communication Sept. 17 Wyoming Chayce Crouch Marketing & Business Process Management • Illinois’ rise in Academic All-Big Ten selections has been Sept. 24 Central Michigan Mike Dudek Marketing & Business Process Management staggering. Prior to 2012, the school record was 12 (2000 & Jaylen Dunlap MS: Education, Policy, Organization, & Leadership 2009). Since then, the Illini have had 18 (2012), 21 (2013), 29 2023 // 1 non-conference TBA Nate Echard Agricultural & Consumer Economics Sept. 2 Toledo Kendrick Foster MS: Recreation, Sport, & Tourism (2014), 31 (2015), 35 (2016) and, most recently, 32 in 2017. Sept. 9 @ Kansas Jeff George Jr. Management Stanley Green Learning & Education Studies 2024 // 2 non-conference TBA Ahmari Hayes Sociology ALL OVER THE NFL Sept. 7 Kansas Zac Holman Earth, Society, & Environmental Sustainability Chris James Recreation, Sport, & Tourism A total of 21 former Fighting Illini were on 2017 NFL active rosters 2025 2 non-conference TBA Julian Jones Communication – OT (Texans), WR (Packers), WR // Jeff Allen Arrelious Sept. 6 @ Duke Doug Kramer Marketing Benn (Jaguars), DT Chunky Clements (Vikings), TE Jeff Cumberland Jimmy Marchese Finance Zeke Martin Kinesiology (Chargers), CB Vontae Davis (Colts), Clayton Fejedelem (Bengals), RB 2026 // 2 non-conference TBA Chase McLaughlin Technical Systems Management Josh Ferguson (Colts), CB Justin Hardee, TE Michael Hoomanawanui Sept. 12 Duke Cam Miller Business Undeclared (Saints), OL Ted Karras (Patriots), TE Matt LaCosse (Giants), DE Corey Sept. 26 Missouri Drew Murtaugh Civil Engineering Liuget (Chargers), LB Whitney Mercilus (Texans), LB Hardy Nickerson Austin Roberts Community Health 2027 // 2 non-conference TBA Brandon Roberts MS: Technology Management (Bengals), DE Carroll Phillips (Jaguars), OLB Gimel President (Texans), Sept. 18 @ Missouri Adam Solomon Accountancy DE Dawuane Smoot (Jaguars), DT Akeem Spence (Lions), DE Jihad Ward Frank Sumpter Recreation, Sport, & Tourism (Raiders) and DB Tavon Wilson (Lions). 2028 // 2 non-conference TBA Dominic Thieman Recreation, Sport, & Tourism Sept. 16 Missouri Andrew Trainer Business Undeclared Malik Turner Recreation, Sport, & Tourism Tre Watson Recreation, Sport, & Tourism 2029 // 2 non-conference TBA Sept. 15 @ Missouri Justice Williams Management

2018 ILLINOIS FOOTBALL RECORD BOOK // 7 MEDIA INFORMATION 2017 STARTERS BY POSITION

OFFENSE DEFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS

Pos. # Player Starts Pos. # Player Starts Pos. # Player Starts QB 7 Chayce Crouch 5 DE 5 James Crawford 9 K 43 Chase McLaughlin 12 3 Jeff George Jr. 5 97 Bobby Roundtree 9 10 Cam Thomas 2 91 Jamal Woods 3 P 14 Blake Hayes 12 92 Isaiah Gay 2 47 Sean Adesanya 1 RB 22 Kendrick Foster 5 26 Mike Epstein 3 DT 96 Tymir Oliver 10 21 RaVon Bonner 3 55 Jamal Milan 6 25 Dre Brown 1 94 Tito Odenigbo 4 36 Austin Roberts 1 95 Kenyon Jackson 3 91 Jamal Woods 1 WR 6 Ricky Smalling 10 11 Malik Turner 9 LB 3 Del’Shawn Phillips 10 18 Mike Dudek 6 33 Tré Watson 7 8 Dominic Thiemann 5 9 Dele Harding 5 13 Caleb Reams 3 2 Julian Jones 4 15 Trenard Davis 1 41 Jimmy Marchese 2 10 James Knight 1 TE 19 Louis Dorsey 7 52 Ayo Shogbonyo 1 2018 PRONUNCIATION GUIDE 45 Henry McGrew 3 Nick Allegretti ��������������������������������al-uh-GRET-ee 39 Nathan Echard 2 CB 8 Nate Hobbs 10 Alec Andrea ������������������������������������� ann-DRAY-uh 72 Gabe Megginson 1 1 Jaylen Dunlap 9 Nolan Bernat �����������������������������������������burr-KNAT 31 Cameron Watkins 7 Christian Bobak �������������������������������������bo-BACK Ra’Von Bonner ������������������������������������������RAY-von OL 53 Nick Allegretti 12 6 Tony Adams 2 Verdis Brown ����������������������������������������������ver-dis 63 Alex Palczewski 11 12 Chris James 2 Jake Cerny �������������������������������������������������SIR-nee 76 Larry Boyd 9 D’Ante’ Cox ����������������������������������������dee-ON-TAY 65 Doug Kramer 8 S 21 Patrick Nelson 8 Trenard Davis ���������������������������������������� tre-NARD 67 Christian DiLauro 7 4 Bennett Williams 7 Mike Dudek ������������������������������������������� DOO-deck 79 Vederian Lowe 7 7 Stanley Green 7 Preston Engel ���������������������������������������������EN-gull 72 Gabe Megginson 3 20 Harvey Clayton, Jr. 1 Mike Epstein ������������������������������������������ep-STEEN 66 Jordan Fagan 1 24 Dawson DeGroot 1 Carmoni Green ���������������������������������� car-MAH-nee 71 Zeke Martin 1 Dele Harding ������������������������������������������� DAY-LAY 52 Adam Solomon 1 Vederian Lowe �����������������������������vuh-DARE-ee-an Jimmy Marchese �����������������������������������mar-CASE Michael Marchese ���������������������������������mar-CASE Jartavius Martin ����������������������������� jar-TAY-vee-us Alec McEachern ���������������������������������Mc-CARE-un Shaedon Meadors ����������������� SHAY-den medd-ers Jamal Milan �������������������������������������������� muh-LAN BOLD = started season finale vs. Northwestern Marc Mondesir �������������������������������mon-duh-SEER Drew Murtaugh ��������������������������������������murr-taw Kievan Myers ������������������������������������������KEY-vonn Jakari Norwood �����������������������������������juh-CAR-ee Lere Oladipo ��������������������������������������������luh-RAY Tymir Oliver ��������������������������������������������TIE-MEER Alex Palczewski ����������������������������� pal-CHESS-key Alex Pihlstrom ��������������������������������������PILL-strum Ayo Shogboyo ����������������������EYE-oh shog-BAHN-yo Ethan Tabel �������������������������������������������� tuh-BELL Coran Taylor ��������������������������������������������kor-AHN Khalan Tolson ���������������������������������������� KAY-lahn Reuben Unije ����������������������������������YOU-nuh-szjay Delano Ware ���������������������������������������dee-LAY-no

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