Four of the probable Illinois starters Saturday at Northwestern–offensive tackle Bucky Babcock, center Duke Preston, linebacker Matt Sinclair and defensive end Mike O’Brien–were regulars on the 2002 team that defeated the Wildcats 31-24 in Evanston in the final game. . . .
The Illini’s outstanding punter, Steve Weatherford, believes the play of freshman snapper Kyle Knezetic has been important in his success. “I was nervous before the season because I wasn’t going to have Mike Gomez, who is in the NFL now, doing the snapping,” Weatherford said. “But Kyle has done an awesome job. I have confidence in my kicking, but I’ve needed him to get the job done.” . . .
Freshman linebacker Justin Harrison suffered a broken thumb when the Illini defeated Indiana in their last game, but he will remain in the starting lineup, playing with a soft cast.