2009 Illinois Fighting Illini Football Preview
2009 Illinois Fighting Illini season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Illinois Fighting Illini football preview as well as the 2009 Illinois Fighting Illini Football Schedule. Dont miss Maddux's free college football picks on the weekly college football odds from the #1 sports handicapping team.
Coach: Ron Zook (5th year at Illinois)
Team Name: Fighting Illini
2008 Overall Record: 5-7
Returning Starters: 13
After going to the Rose Bowl in 2007, the Illinois Fighting Illini (5- 7 overall, 3- 5 Big Ten) did not get an invite to any post-season game in 2008. Last year was defined by disappointment as the team went from a 9- 3 regular season record the year before to a 5- 7 mark. This year, it’s expected that the Illini will turn it around and be bowl bound once again.
Senior QB Juice Williams (381 ATT, 219 COMP, 3,173 YDs, 16 INTs, 22 TDs) is a total offensive weapon. Along with being able to sling the ball, Williams is an able runner, gaining 719 yards on 175 carries for five touchdowns in 2008. It would be a huge help if he could cut his interceptions in half. Junior wideout Arrelious Benn (67 REC, 1,055 YDs, 3 TDs) ably beats double coverage again and again. He’ll be joined by skilled Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, who had to sit out 2008. Besides Williams, sophomores Jason Ford (81 ATT, 294 YDs, 8 TDs) and Mikel Leshoure (35 ATT, 126 YDs, 1 TD) will get the ball a lot. The offensive line returns four and under new line coach Joe Gilbert looks to cut back drastically on the 25 sacks it gave up.
While the offense scored 28.7 PPG, the defense gave up 26.6 PPG. The D-line was especially porous, allowing 152.9 YPG (77th nationally). DT Josh Brent (34 TKLs, 1.5 SKs, 8 TFL) will anchor the frontline if he returns. Brent was suspended in the spring for DUI. Sophomore tackle Corey Liuget (26 TKLs, 1.5 SKs, 3.5 TFL) looks ready to have a breakout season. Junior LB Martez Wilson (73 TKLs, 3 SKS, 2.5 TFL) will need to step up and take control of the middle. The corners are sound with senior Dere Hicks (43 TKLs, 1 INT) and junior Travon Bellamy (53 TKLs, 0 INT) coming back after solid seasons. The safety spots are a concern, lacking experienced personnel.
The special teams are overall solid. Kick returns will be handled by A.J. Jenkins and Benn, while Benn will also take punts. With a year of experience, they should improve on Illinois’ fifth-place Big Ten ranking on kicks and 11th-place rating on punts. Fighting Illini punter Anthony Santella needs to improve on his 39.4 average. As a freshman, placekicker Matt Eller proved to be a winner, hitting eight of 10 from beyond 40 yards. He is back.
From 2004 through 2006, Illinois managed just seven wins total. Then in 2007 they won nine. Last season, the club disintegrated, losing their final three games. Head coach Ron Zook (18- 30 in four years with Illinois) has a seasoned offense and some fine new recruits. The schedule, though, is tough with eight 2008 bowl qualifiers on the docket, including Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State . The exceptionally bad news on that front is that the Fighting Illini play those three Big Ten teams on September 26, October 3 and October 10. With six starters returning on offense and a savvy and seasoned head coach, this team could prove to be bowl bound again. A fourth place finish and a middle to low tier bowl look likely.
Illinois Fighting Illini Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Illinois | Missouri | neutral | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Illinois | Illinois St. | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Illinois | Ohio St. | away | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Illinois | Penn St. | home | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Illinois | Michigan St. | home | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Illinois | Indiana | away | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Illinois | Purdue | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Illinois | Michigan | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Illinois | Minnesota | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Illinois | Northwestern | home | ||||
| 11/27/2009 | Illinois | Cincinnati | away | ||||
| 12/5/2009 | Illinois | Fresno St. | home |
For more info on the 2009 Illinois Fighting Illini football program, view their official website or read up on the rest of the Big Ten foes below.
