Illinois back Leshoure nears 1,000 yards
\Minnesota (1-9, 0-6) at Illinois (5-4, 3-3)
When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium
TV: BTN; Radio: WIND 560-AM
Series: Illinois leads 32-28-3
Coaches: Jeff Horton (0-3 as interim); Ron Zook (26-43, sixth year at Illinois; 49-57 overall)
Minnesota players to watch: Senior QB Adam Weber has started every game since the 2007 season began and piled up 10,528 yards, 70 TDs and 51 INTs along the way. He's fourth on the Big Ten's all-time list in yards and completions. However, backup-turned-WR MarQueis Gray got his first action at QB last week and will get more time this week. RBs DeLeon Eskridge and Duane Bennett have split carries and combined for exactly 1,000 yards.
Illinois players to watch: QB Nathan Scheelhaase has been on a rampage the last two weeks with 625 total yards, 8 TDs and no turnovers. RB Mikel Leshoure needs exactly 100 yards to become the ninth Illini since World War II to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. It would also be his sixth 100-yard game of the year, tying him with Jim Grabowski and J.C. Caroline for second place on the school's list for 100-yard efforts in a season. Rashard Mendenhall owns the record with 8 during the Rose Bowl year. Punter Anthony Santella just learned he's one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award. After leading the nation in punting average for a week in September, Santella sits eighth at 46.2 yards per kick.
The skinny: Illinois bids farewell to 13 seniors, nine of whom committed after the Illini went winless in the Big Ten in 2005. CB Travon Bellamy, OT Ryan Palmer, OG Randall Hunt, DE Clay Nurse and WR/QB Eddie McGee are fifth-year seniors who developed into starters for this team, which is one step from a bowl. Minnesota shouldn't put up much of a fight. While the offense could get something rolling, the defense's 5 sacks rank last out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Minnesota also ranks last among Big Ten teams in rushing defense and pass efficiency defense.
Big Ten bowl ramifications: If Illinois wins while Indiana (4-5) and Purdue (4-5) both lose, then the Illini become bowl-eligible and there'll be no more than nine Big Ten teams that can become eligible. That all but ensures Illinois' third bowl in last 11 seasons.
He said it: Ron Zook on his defense's psyche after surrendering 67 points and 676 yards at Michigan: “More than anything, they're embarrassed. I texted most of them Saturday night and most of them texted me back and they put it behind them and learn from it and go from there.”