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Gridiron Glory: The 2007 Illini Season Unveiled

An analytical deep dive into a pivotal year for the Fighting Illini, from historic upsets to bowl aspirations.

Season Overview ๐Ÿ‘‡ View Schedule ๐Ÿ“…

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Season Overview

Defining Season

The 2007 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois at Urbanaโ€“Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Under head coach Ron Zook, the team achieved a significant turnaround, compiling a 9โ€“4 overall record (6โ€“2 in conference play). This marked their first winning season since 2001 and their first bowl appearance since the 2002 Sugar Bowl.

Key Achievements

The season was highlighted by a monumental upset of the then No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on November 10th. This victory, coupled with their overall success, earned them a prestigious invitation to the 2008 Rose Bowl, where they faced USC. The team's performance garnered national recognition for Coach Zook, who received Coach of the Year honors.

Performance Metrics

The Illini outscored their opponents by a total of 362 to 283 throughout the season. They finished tied for second place in the competitive Big Ten Conference. Despite a strong regular season, their campaign concluded with a 17โ€“49 loss to USC in the Rose Bowl, leaving them ranked No. 20 in the final AP poll.

Game Schedule & Results

The 2007 Illinois Fighting Illini football team's schedule featured a mix of conference and non-conference matchups, culminating in a significant bowl appearance. The following table details each game, including opponent, venue, broadcast information, and the final result.

Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance
September 1 2:30 pm vs. Missouri*
(Arch Rivalry)
Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO ESPN2 L 34โ€“40 62,352
September 8 6:00 pm vs. Western Illinois*
(FCS #24)
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL BTN W 21โ€“0 48,301
September 15 11:00 am at Syracuse* Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY ESPNU W 41โ€“20 34,188
September 22 11:00 am at Indiana Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
(rivalry)
BTN W 27โ€“14 34,707
September 29 11:00 am vs. Penn State
(#21)
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL BTN W 27โ€“20 57,078
October 6 11:00 am vs. Wisconsin
(#5)
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL ESPN W 31โ€“26 57,078
October 13 11:00 am at Iowa
(#18)
#18 Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA ESPN2 L 6โ€“10 70,585
October 20 7:00 pm vs. Michigan
(#24)
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
(rivalry)
ABC L 17โ€“27 57,078
October 27 11:00 am vs. Ball State*
(Homecoming)
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL BTN W 28โ€“17 55,578
November 3 7:00 pm at Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN BTN W 44โ€“17 46,604
November 10 2:30 pm at Ohio State
(#1)
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
(Illibuck Trophy)
ABC W 28โ€“21 105,453
November 17 11:00 am vs. Northwestern
(#20)
#20 Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
(Sweet Sioux Tomahawk)
ESPN W 41โ€“22 54,516
January 1 3:30 pm vs. USC
(Rose Bowl, #6)
#13 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA ABC L 17โ€“49 93,923
*Non-conference game
Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game.
All times are in Central time.

National Rankings

The Fighting Illini's successful season saw them consistently ranked among the nation's top teams. Their performance, particularly the upset of the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes, propelled them into national prominence. The following table illustrates their movement in the major college football polls throughout the season.

Ranking Movements
Legend: โ–  Increase in ranking โ–  Decrease in ranking
โ€” = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
Poll Pre1234567891011121314Final
AP โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”RV18RVโ€”RVRV2018151320
Coaches โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”RV19RVRVRVRV2118141318
Harris Not releasedRVRV19RVRVRVRV20181413Not released
BCS Not releasedโ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”19171513Not released

Key Game Summaries

Upsetting #1 Ohio State

In a landmark victory, the Fighting Illini defeated the undefeated, No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 28โ€“21 in Columbus. Quarterback Juice Williams, despite modest passing yards, threw four touchdowns. This monumental win, Illinois' first against a top-ranked opponent on the road since 1956, significantly impacted the national championship landscape and is considered one of the program's greatest achievements.

Rose Bowl Appearance

The team's remarkable season earned them a spot in the prestigious 2008 Rose Bowl against USC. Despite entering as underdogs, the Illini competed against a highly-ranked Trojans team. The final score was USC 49, Illinois 17. This marked Illinois' first bowl game appearance in seven years.

Big Ten Battles

Conference play was challenging and defining. Notable wins included victories over ranked opponents Penn State (27-20) and Wisconsin (31-26), demonstrating the team's capability. However, close losses to Iowa (6-10) and Michigan (17-27) showed the fine margins in Big Ten competition. The season opener against Missouri resulted in a narrow 34-40 loss.

Team Roster

The 2007 Illinois Fighting Illini roster was composed of talented student-athletes who contributed to the team's resurgence. Key figures included:

  • Rashard Mendenhall: A standout junior running back who earned the Chicago Tribune Silver Football and All-American honors, leading the team in rushing with 1,681 yards and 19 touchdowns.
  • Juice Williams: The sophomore quarterback who provided dynamic playmaking, passing for 1,743 yards and contributing significantly to the offense.
  • Arrelious Benn: A freshman wide receiver who made an immediate impact with 54 receptions for 676 receiving yards.
  • Jeremy Leman: A senior linebacker and captain, recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.
  • Vontae Davis: A sophomore cornerback and captain, known for his defensive plays, including crucial interceptions and blocked punts.

The full roster featured a blend of experienced seniors and emerging underclassmen, all contributing to the team's collective success.

(as of 8/30/2007)

Quarterbacks

  • 14 Ryan Baise โ€“ freshman
  • 12 Billy Garza โ€“ junior
  • 19 Phil Haig โ€“ freshman
  • 10 Eddie McGee โ€“ freshman
  • 7 Isiah Williams โ€“ sophomore

Running backs

  • 22 Daniel Dufrene โ€“ sophomore
  • 36 Maurice Haney โ€“ junior
  • 5 Rashard Mendenhall โ€“ junior
  • 34 Walter Mendenhall โ€“ junior
  • 49 Tyler Pacha โ€“ junior
  • 29 Troy Pollard โ€“ freshman
  • 30 Rahkeem Smith โ€“ sophomore
  • 41 Russ Weil โ€“ senior

Wide receivers

  • 18 Kevin Bailey โ€“ freshman
  • 9 Arrelious Benn โ€“ freshman
  • 17 Jeff Cumberland โ€“ sophomore
  • 23 Jack Eastman โ€“ sophomore
  • 21 Kyle Hudson โ€“ junior
  • 6 Chris James โ€“ sophomore
  • 82 Frank Lenti Jr. โ€“ senior
  • 86 Greg McClendon โ€“ junior
  • 11 Joe Morgan โ€“ sophomore
  • 8 DaJuan Warren โ€“ senior
  • 3 Marques Wilkins โ€“ sophomore
  • 83 Jacob Willis โ€“ senior

Tight ends

  • 16 Michael Hoomanawanui โ€“ sophomore
  • 85 C.J. Jackson โ€“ sophomore
  • 87 John Stock โ€“ freshman
  • 89 Tom Sullivan โ€“ sophomore

Offensive line

  • 52 Jon Asamoah โ€“ sophomore
  • 63 Xavier Fulton โ€“ junior
  • 57 Mike Garrity โ€“ freshman
  • 66 Randall Hunt โ€“ freshman
  • 75 Mark Jackson โ€“ freshman
  • 74 Brandon Jordan โ€“ freshman
  • 39 Tad Keely โ€“ freshman
  • 49 Kyle Knezetic โ€“ senior
  • 61 Cole Knuth โ€“ freshman
  • 60 Ryan McDonald โ€“ junior
  • 69 Akim Millington โ€“ senior
  • 58 Dan Motuliak โ€“ junior
  • 76 Charles Myles โ€“ senior
  • 65 Mike Nabolotny โ€“ junior
  • 64 Martin O'Donnell โ€“ senior
  • 78 Ryan Palmer โ€“ freshman
  • 79 Craig Wilson โ€“ freshman
  • 73 Jack Cornell โ€“ freshman
  • 68 Xavier Fulton โ€“ junior
  • 57 Mike Garrity โ€“ freshman
  • 66 Randall Hunt โ€“ freshman
  • 75 Mark Jackson โ€“ freshman
  • 74 Brandon Jordan โ€“ freshman
  • 39 Tad Keely โ€“ freshman
  • 49 Kyle Knezetic โ€“ senior
  • 61 Cole Knuth โ€“ freshman
  • 60 Ryan McDonald โ€“ junior
  • 69 Akim Millington โ€“ senior
  • 58 Dan Motuliak โ€“ junior
  • 76 Charles Myles โ€“ senior
  • 65 Mike Nabolotny โ€“ junior
  • 64 Martin O'Donnell โ€“ senior
  • 78 Ryan Palmer โ€“ freshman
  • 79 Craig Wilson โ€“ freshman

Defensive line

  • 98 Daryle Ballew โ€“ freshman
  • 92 Josh Brent โ€“ freshman
  • 99 Jerry Brown โ€“ freshman
  • 81 Will Davis โ€“ junior
  • 90 Antonio James โ€“ sophomore
  • 94 David Lindquist โ€“ junior
  • 93 D'Angelo McCray โ€“ freshman
  • 96 Chris Norwell โ€“ senior
  • 97 Clay Nurse โ€“ freshman
  • 95 Doug Pilcher โ€“ sophomore
  • 91 Derek Walker โ€“ junior
  • 76 Mike Ware โ€“ senior
  • 58 Bryson Whalen โ€“ sophomore
  • 56 Sirod Williams โ€“ junior

Linebackers

  • 43 Sam Carson III โ€“ junior
  • 39 Conor Gillen โ€“ sophomore
  • 55 Anterio Jackson โ€“ freshman
  • 53 Dustin Jefferson โ€“ freshman
  • 47 J Leman โ€“ senior
  • 44 Brit Miller โ€“ junior
  • 45 Rodney Pittman โ€“ junior
  • 48 Erique Roberts โ€“ freshman
  • 40 Antonio Steele โ€“ senior
  • 38 Ian Thomas โ€“ freshman
  • 51 Anthony Thornhill โ€“ senior
  • 2 Martez Wilson โ€“ freshman

Defensive backs

  • 31 Travon Bellamy โ€“ sophomore
  • 18 Nate Bussey โ€“ freshman
  • 1 Vontae Davis โ€“ sophomore
  • 15 Chris Duvalt โ€“ sophomore
  • 20 Garrett Edwards โ€“ freshman
  • 24 Bo Flowers โ€“ freshman
  • 26 Brian Gamble โ€“ freshman
  • 27 Antonio Gully โ€“ freshman
  • 32 Justin Harrison โ€“ senior
  • 28 Dere Hicks โ€“ sophomore
  • 13 Will Judson โ€“ junior
  • 30 Mike Locksley Jr. โ€“ freshman
  • 23 Drew McMahon โ€“ senior
  • 22 Drew Harweger โ€“ Sophomore
  • 42 Kevin Mitchell โ€“ senior
  • 33 Mike Mucha โ€“ sophomore
  • 19 Tony Petruzzello โ€“ freshman
  • 35 Darius Purcell โ€“ freshman
  • 46 Tyler Rouse โ€“ junior
  • 25 Justin Sanders โ€“ senior
  • 14 Marcus Thomas โ€“ freshman

Kickers

  • 36 Jared Bosch โ€“ sophomore
  • 38 Matt Brandabur โ€“ freshman
  • 35 Mike Cklamovski โ€“ sophomore
  • 84 Matt Eller โ€“ freshman
  • 13 Jason Reda โ€“ senior
  • 87 Anthony Santella โ€“ freshman
  • 37 Kyle Yelton โ€“ sophomore

Awards and Honors

Individual Accolades

Several Illinois players received significant recognition for their outstanding performances during the 2007 season:

  • Rashard Mendenhall: A standout junior running back who earned the Chicago Tribune Silver Football and All-American honors, leading the team in rushing with 1,681 yards and 19 touchdowns.
  • Jeremy Leman: A senior linebacker and team captain, recognized as a consensus first-team All-American.
  • Martin O'Donnell: An offensive guard and captain, was recognized as an All-American.
  • Vontae Davis: A sophomore cornerback and captain, received first-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media.

Coaching Recognition

Head Coach Ron Zook was honored for his leadership in guiding the Fighting Illini to such a successful season. He was named both the national and Big Ten Coach of the Year, acknowledging his role in transforming the program and achieving a Rose Bowl berth after a period of struggle.

All-Conference Selections

Beyond the national honors, four Illinois players were selected for the 2007 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Mendenhall, Leman, O'Donnell, and Davis were all recognized by both the coaches and media, underscoring the team's talent and depth within the conference.

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References

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

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