Radio: 5 p.m.; WSCR-AM 670.
Line: No line.
2003 records: Florida A&M 6-6, 4-4 in I-AA Mid-Eastern Athletic; Illinois 1-11, 0-8 in Big Ten.
Series: First meeting.
Team comparison:
(2003 averages, rank)
%%
CATEGORY A&M ILL
Rushing offense 139.3 (72) 110.7 (101)
Passing offense 233.2 (35) 229.7 (46)
Total offense 372.5 (53) 340.3 (87)
Scoring offense 23.2 (73) 16.9 (107)
Rushing defense 167.8 (71) 224.3 (111)
Passing defense 168.7 (21) 202.3 (35)
More Top Picks Irlen Spectral Filters Vs Colored Overlays Which Is Right
Total defense 336.0 (43) 426.6 (92)
Scoring defense 23.3 (48) 33.2 (98)
%%
Florida A&M outlook: Like Illinois coach Ron Turner, the Rattlers’ coach, Billy Joe, has moved some of his best offensive players to defense. Devvin Richardson has shifted from running back to starting cornerback and another former running back, Michael Fisher, is a backup cornerback. Quarterback Ben Dougherty, a 24-year-old who began his collegiate career at Iowa State, is a threat both as a passer and a runner.
Illinois outlook: Sixth-year quarterback Jon Beutjer, sophomore running back E.B. Halsey and senior wide receiver Mark Kornfeld are in the forefront of what figures to be a formidable offense. Defensively, the VIPs are sixth-year end Mike O’Brien, who suffered a season-ending injury in last year’s opener and senior linebacker Matt Sinclair.Senior Kelvin Hayden has been shifted to cornerback after being last year’s top receiver, and senior strong safety Morris Virgil was a running back in the past.