CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Illinois preview

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Illinois Fighting Illini

Expectations soar after meteoric rise

College Football: The New Century

'99, 8-4, 4-4 Big Ten

Coach

Ron Turner (fourth season, 11-23; 18-27 overall)

Key offensive players

Kurt Kittner, QB, Jr.
Set a school record by throwing for 24 touchdown passes last season.

Rocky Harvey, RB, Jr.
Speedster was a big play specialist, breaking runs of 20-plus yards 10 times in '99.

Key defensive players

Muhammad Abdullah, FS, Jr.
Only returning secondary starter had a team-high five interceptions in '99.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Red Grange, Illinois, 1923-25
"The greatest quarter ever? Grange vs. Michigan, 1924, first quarter, four touchdowns."

Brightest Moment: Legendary running back Grange led Illinois to a national championship with an 8-0 mark in 1923.

Lowest Moment: The winless 1969 team (0-10) was shut out three times, 41-0 by Ohio State, 57-0 by visiting Michigan and 40-0 by visiting Iowa.

Michael Young, LB, Sr.
Butkus Award nominee led team with three forced fumbles last season.

Key newcomer

Patrick King, K, Fr.
King is expected to have an immediate impact as the replacement for NFL draftee Neil Rackers.

Throwback player

Strong safety Bobby Jackson, who missed last season with a knee injury, has a work ethic that should boost the young defense. Football is in his blood as his father, Robert II, is the Illini receivers coach, and his brother, Marc, is a fellow Illini defensive back.

21st century player

Offensive tackle Tony Pashos is a high-spirited power lifter who likes Greek mythology, especially Greek gods.

Fast Fact

The Illini set a school scoring record last year with 388 points in 12 games.

Outlook

Kittner has proven to be a perfect fit in Turner's pro-style offense, completing nearly 55 percent of his passes for 2,702 yards last season. And the good news is that Kittner's high-powered offense returns nine starters. The bad news is that it would have been 10 except that leading returning receiver Brandon Lloyd (30 catches in '99) broke his leg during the summer and will miss the season. Freshmen Ade Adeyema and Jamaal Clark were expected to play anyway but now will be counted on to contribute heavily. On defense, the Illini return just four starters and will be hard-pressed to match their impressive 13-plus turnover margin from last season. Illinois hosts Ohio State and Michigan at home after upsetting both on the road, where they were 5-1 last season. If the defense gels, .500 in the Big Ten could be in the picture.

-- Mark Ambrogi