Freshmen getting the job done

CHAMPAIGN - With so many players back from the Rose Bowl team, Illinois didn't feel obligated to rely on a bunch of true freshmen.

But as Illinois' season bumps along, Ron Zook's rookies are forcing themselves into bigger and bigger roles.

Running back Jason Ford, who managed just 15 yards in his first six games, went wild Saturday night with 19 carries for 172 yards and 3 scores in Illinois' 55-13 victory at Memorial Stadium.

Ford's showing against Indiana was much more in line with his four-year exploits at Belleville Althoff High School, where he set a St. Louis area record with 6,415 career rushing yards.

Zook never promised that the 6-foot, 220-pound Ford would play so much this week. But he did drop this hint on Tuesday:

"I've got a lot of confidence in Jason," Zook said. "I really do."

Oddly, Ford wasn't the true freshman running back who got a starting nod against the Hoosiers.

Mikel LeShoure lined up at fullback in front of usual starter Dan Dufrene on the offense's first play. LeShoure became the seventh freshman to start this year.

And when kicker Derek Dimke handled the kickoffs and left tackle Corey Lewis subbed for Xavier Fulton on a few possessions, that meant 14 true freshmen have seen action this season.

True freshman receiver A.J. Jenkins scored his third touchdown in two weeks when he returned a fourth-quarter kick 96 yards for a score.

Illinois could be among the nation's top five teams in terms of trusting its rookies.

Entering Saturday's games, Toledo ranked fourth in the country having played 14 true freshmen.

Never Benn better: Sophomore receiver Arrelious Benn needed less than a half to carve out a spot in the Illinois record books.

Benn caught 6 passes for 119 yards in the first half to become the first player in Illini annals to record four consecutive 100-yard receiving games.

Among Big Ten receivers this season, Benn trails only Minnesota's Eric Decker in receptions (44) and yards (693).

Both numbers also should rank Benn among the top 20 receivers nationally when the NCAA rolls out its updated stats Sunday morning.

Walker rules: In his 38th career start, Illinois senior defensive end Derek Walker enjoyed his biggest day as a pass-rusher.

Walker sacked Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell on the game's third play from scrimmage.

The 2004 Glenbard East graduate then dropped running Marcus Thigpen for a 3-yard loss on the Hoosiers' next play and wound up with a career-high 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss totaling 19 yards.