2002 Statistics

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

Coach Ron Turner made his name tutoring NFL quarterbacks, and (bar injury) he will have his next one coming off the 2003 assembly line in senior Jon Beutjer.

After sitting out a year following his transfer from Iowa, Beutjer led the Big Ten with 228.3 passing yards-per-game. Turner's adapted 'West Coast' passing scheme was ideal for Beutjer. He'll be backed up by fellow senior Dustin Ward. Ward grasps the system, but Beutjer's health is essential for Illini success.

The Illini offensive line did a decent job in 2002, giving Beutjer time to throw and opening up some sizable holes for the running game. They will have to operate without the services of two All-Big Ten linemen this time. But third year starters Sean Bubin and Bucky Babcock both return to make this a sizeable strength. Bubin has been a mainstay at tackle since his sophomore season, while Babcock has been one of the top guards in the conference since 2001. However, look for Babcock to move into the tackle position in order to fill in for the departed Tony Pashos. In any West Coast scheme, play-action, pass-blocking and mobility are key. While the OL may be a bit undersized with only one regular at or over 300 pounds, they can and will move well to provide all forms of protection similarly well.

In the backfield, it may be a case of running back by committee led by senior FB Carey Davis and junior Morris Virgil. Davis (5.4 yards-per-rush) unfortunately is also the team's leading returning receiver with 29 catches. He may get a shot at tailback to replace the graduated Antoineo Harris. His role and success are key for any offensive continuity. No running in the WC means run-pass decisions for defenders are predictable instead of well-disguised - pass, pass, pass. Replacing Harris' yardage at tailback will be a challenge, but junior Morris Virgil (if he can return from a broken leg suffered in 2002's fourth game) should be up to the task. Virgil saw limited action and gives the Illini a breakaway threat out of the backfield (and on kick runbacks, depending.) Look for several other viable candidates to get there shot at this position.

Junior TE Anthony McClellan is another key returning starter. Senior Kenny Boyle, similarly sized at 6-3 and 245, is also back. The two provide quality route-running and force opposing LBs to play on their heels, which in turn will open up the run, and both swing and screen passes.

The receiving corps, which helped QB Beutjer to his glittering numbers, was dismantled (by graduation and NFL early entry.) Senior Eric McGoey and sophomore Kendrick Jones are the only wideouts back with any game experience - and each caught only one pass in 2002! Juco transfer Kelvin Hayden and freshman Lonnie Hurst will be contenders for immediate playing time, just like several other qualified newcomers.

This has got to be Turner's major headache heading into the season. Beutjer appears primed for a big season in the air, but it won't happen if the receiving crew can't be rebuilt in a big hurry. The best will emerge and they will go from there. Stay tuned here for any development(s).

Some heavy work in the weight room is on tap during the off-season to build up some necessary OL bulk. Turner's offense values speed and agility, especially on the offensive line. Illini QBs, mainly Beutjer, were sacked 24 times in 2002 - not a glaring number considering the number of times they put the ball in the air. The Illini OL will hopefully give Beutjer and Co. more time to throw this year, since the receiving crew doesn't have established high-flyers to bail them out.

FB Carey Davis

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

Five starters return among the Illini front-seven, giving Turner hope his defense will be more consistent (than in 2002, when momentary lapses cost Illinois big time, especially in Big Ten play). The DL is their most experienced defensive position, overall - three of four starters return. Appropriately named senior end Derrick Strong leads this talented group after bursting onto the 2002 scene, his first year as a starter. Strong, who is one of the more physically imposing defenders in the Big Ten, led the Illinois defense with 12 tackles-for-loss out of his 54 total tackles.

Illini coaches have a good problem - each position will be highly competitive heading into fall as a number of performers boast past starting experience. Joe Bevis and Antonio Mason will battle for one outside spot. Bevis brings two years of starting experience, but Mason made huge strides the second half of the season to make this position still competitive coming out of Spring ball. In the middle, Matt Sinclair and Mike Gawelek will look to fill Schumacher's big shoes (ranked among the top tacklers in school history.) While he earned eight starts at outside linebacker in 2002, Sinclair has the size and strength to play inside. The most hotly contested of the three linebacking positions will be at the other outside spot between Ty Myers, Winston Taylor and freshman Cyrus Garrett. Myers brings the most experience starting 18 games over the last two seasons. An Illini strength in 2003, regardless of who starts.

Senior safety Marc Jackson is their leading returning tackler. CB Travis Williams (an astounding 30 pass breakups as a freshman!) is the only other returning starter in the secondary. Other than those two, the Illini secondary will have to be retooled. The defensive backfield is a bit thin after Jackson and Williams. The press-types of coverage Illinois likes to employ ostensibly place a premium on man-coverage abilities, and last year's reserves now have to (and should well) step in. The secondary is clearly another spot where freshmen or JUCO recruits will see instant playing time. The question(s) here will be answered as spring turns to summer. This secondary played at a mediocre level, so new blood always has a place in any schemes of improvement.

DE Derrick Strong