http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football Latest Illini SportsFacts stories for the News-Gazette en-us Copyright 2008, The News-Gazette, Inc. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/rss Sun, 11 May 2008 08:39:00 PST You always assumed he took the shoe off to help with his field goal kicking. Not so much. Mike Bass actually took his right shoe and sock off to help with his kickoffs. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/05/11/mike_bass_named_to_top_10_specialists_list/ Sun, 11 May 2008 14:00:00 CST Each Sunday during the offseason, beat writer Bob Asmussen will take you around the world of college football: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/05/11/bobs_blitz/ Sun, 11 May 2008 14:00:00 CST Camping Out Several recent Illini football players are trying to make NFL rosters. Periodically, we'll catch up with them. Today's observations come from linebacker J Leman, who signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings. The former Champaign Central standout spoke to our Bob Asmussen after last weekend's minicamp in Minnesota: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/05/11/camping_out/ Sun, 11 May 2008 14:00:00 CST CHICAGO – Sibyl Mendenhall doesn't know for sure why her son Rashard was targeted by two armed robbers Monday morning. But she's got an idea. "He's in the public eye," Sibyl Mendenhall said. "His life has changed." Former Illini running back Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint in Chicago near Lake Michigan. Mendenhall lost his wallet and cell phone but wasn't harmed, Sibyl Mendenhall said. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/05/06/mendenhall_robbed_at_gunpoint/ Tue, 06 May 2008 14:00:00 CST This week's comments from readers: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/05/05/letter_rip/ Mon, 05 May 2008 14:00:00 CST Each Sunday during the offseason, beat writer Bob Asmussen will take you around the world of college football: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/05/04/bobs_blitz/ Sun, 04 May 2008 14:00:00 CST CHAMPAIGN – Linebacker J Leman and soccer standout Mary Therese McDonnell were awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor at the school's awards banquet Tuesday night. Leman, a Champaign Central product who signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night, was a consensus All-American and All-Big Ten first-teamer. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/30/top_honors_for_leman_mcdonnell/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST CHAMPAIGN – Of course, he wanted to get drafted. Of course, he wasn't happy to see long snappers and kickers and other inside linebackers go off the board. "It was a little frustrating," former Illinois linebacker J Leman said Sunday. "You see players taken that aren't as good as you, in your opinion." http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/28/linebacker_happy_hes_headed_to_vikings/ Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Kevin Mitchell watched most of the NFL draft this weekend, holding out hope that he would see his name flash across the screen at some point. The former Illinois safety tried his best to stay composed, but there were times when the nervous energy proved too much. "As the later rounds went on, I had to go outside for a minute," Mitchell said. "I threw the football around with my little cousin and kind of relaxed." http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/28/five_other_illini_ink_free_agent_deals/ Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST CHICAGO – Talk about surprises. That former Illini Rashard Mendenhall was still on the board after 22 picks in the first round of Saturday's NFL draft was a shock to some who picked him to go as high as ninth. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/27/draft_drop_turns_out_ok_for_mendenhall/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST College football beat writer Bob Asmussen's Q&A with Ron Zook: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/27/zook_were_not_there_yet/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Staff writer Marcus Jackson lists five possible destinations for former Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall in today's NFL draft (2 p.m., ESPN): http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/26/where_will_rashard_go/ Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Rashard Mendenhall likely will be Illinois' 17th first-round NFL draft pick today. A look at the rest: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/26/cream_of_the_crop/ Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Rashard Mendenhall's early departure has fans fretting about Illinois' ability to run the football in 2008. But consider: (1) Spring scrimmages pitted a large-but-still-unsettled offensive line against the UI's most imposing front four – or is it front 10? – in modern times. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/22/tate_ui_running_game_should_be_fine/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST CHAMPAIGN – Somewhere in the vast stretches of Pennsylvania, an oversized youth with offensive line talent is pondering the idea of playing football for the University of Illinois. Inhale the aphrodisiac. Feed your addiction and spread the word. Flood the Internet where it'll draw almost as many hits on Rivals.com as the busiest poker site. How many commitments do WE have now? Who did WE beat out? How do WE compare with Ohio State? http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/21/a_football_feeding_frenzy/ Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST This week's comments from readers: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/21/letter_rip/ Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST J Leman isn't nervous as the big day approaches. He's prepared for the moment. He's done everything he can to make it work. Now, he simply waits for his ... July 11 wedding to Katy Pratapas. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/20/ready_for_liftoff/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST CHAMPAIGN – More than 12,000 eager fans couldn't be expected to get a clear picture of Illinois' offense Saturday at the spring game. Not when Rashard Mendenhall is awaiting the draft, regulars Arrelious Benn, Michael Hoomanawanui, Rahkeem Smith and Ryan McDonald are sitting out, and the quarterbacks are wearing "don't touch" jerseys. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/20/maturing_qb_improved_wrs_illini_will_be/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Staff writer Marcus Jackson's news and notes from Saturday's spring game: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/20/yard_markers/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Illinois ended spring drills with Saturday's scrimmage, the offense rallying past the defense 38-31 in front of 12,531 at Memorial Stadium. After 15 sessions, here's Bob Asmussen's position-by-position look at Ron Zook's fourth team: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/20/off_on_the_right_foot/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Staff writer Bob Asmussen's three bright spots from Saturday's spring game: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/20/looking_ahead_to_next_season/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST For the first time at Illinois, Ron Zook conducted spring drills coming off a winning season. But he has made it clear to his players that they can't relax or get satisfied. Still, there are questions that can be answered during today's spring game, scheduled for 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Here are Bob Asmussen's 12 things to consider before the scrimmage: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/19/a_sneak_peek_at_the_spring_scrimmage/ Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Ray Nitschke loved to play football. Propelled by a fierce inner fire that never quit burning, he was a rough-and-tumble fellow who lived hard and died young (61 in 1998). And through steady progress, he earned a label in the 1960s as one of the greatest middle linebackers in NFL history. Nitschke was All-Pro in 1962, '64, '65, '66 and '67 at the height of the Vince Lombardi era in Green Bay. He was named to the NFL's 50-Year and 75-Year teams. In 1999, he ranked No. 18 on The Sporting News list of 100 greatest players and behind only Lawrence Taylor and fellow Illini Dick Butkus among linebackers. As a memorial to his greatness, the bridge spanning the Fox River in downtown Green Bay was named in his honor, as were the Packers' east practice field and the Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon. He stands as the fourth-greatest Packer behind Don Hutson, Bart Starr and Brett Favre. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/18/tate_over_the_years_illini_linebackers_one_tough_crowd/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Staff writer Bob Asmussen's report from Illinois' practice Wednesday: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/17/spring_football/ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST Staff writer Bob Asmussen's report from Illinois' practice Tuesday: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/16/spring_football/ Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST CHAMPAIGN – Longtime local radio personality Ken Johnson has been hired as the Illinois football public address announcer. He will call Saturday's spring game and continue his duties during the 2008 season. "I'm not nervous, I'm excited," Johnson said. "I'm excited about the football team. I was going to be there watching the spring game anyway with a couple of buddies of mine." http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/15/johnson_lands_pa_job/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST CHAMPAIGN – A pair of former Illini who have enjoyed long NFL careers will serve as honorary coaches at Saturday's Illinois spring football game at Memorial Stadium. Tony Pashos, an offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Oakland tight end Fred Wakefield will be on opposite sidelines for the 1 p.m. game. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/15/pashos_wakefield_get_call/ Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST College football beat writer Bob Asmussen and photographer Robert K. O'Daniell traveled north for the Illini's Chicagoland scrimmage Saturday: http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/13/illini_in_lemont/ Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST LEMONT – His honor, John Piazza, will be there. So will many of the village administrators. And a good chunk of the 15,475 residents. Saturday's Illinois football scrimmage at Lemont High School is an important event for the southwest Chicago suburb. http://www.news-gazette.com/sportsfacts/football/2008/04/11/lemont_willing_and_able/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:00:00 CST