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player ready...My favorite story
The summer brought time for a trip to Akron, Ohio, to tell the family story of Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton (right). Tyrell and older brother T.J. are two of the best running backs to come out of the talent-rich area, and their values were molded by their mother, Connie, who works as a prison guard. Their father, Tony, is an Akron policeman, so it’s no wonder they stayed on the right path.
My story that got the most reader response
With Niles West grad Rashard Mendenhall set to become Illinois’ starting running back, his mother Sibyl decided to move to Champaign to keep the family together. So daughter Vanessa, a high school junior, and mom settled in Champaign so they could be near Rashard and his brother Walter, also an Illinois running back.
Best game I covered
Illinois 28, Ohio State 21 at Columbus, with quarterback Juice Williams getting a crucial first down in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-inches sneak.
Play of the year
Illinois trailed Penn State 3-0 at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29 when freshman Arrelious Benn returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to give the Illini a 7-3 lead they never relinquished in a pivotal 27-20 victory over the No. 21 Nittany Lions. “I wasn’t going to be denied,” said Benn, who also had a season-high six catches for 84 yards. “This is why I came here, to beat a Top 25 team.”
Most telling off-the-field moment
It wasn’t very far off the field, but the scene after Illinois’ upset of Penn State was a signature moment. As students in the new north end-zone seats cheered the Illini as they headed to the locker room, players climbed into the stands to join the party in a memorable, emotional scene.
Road trip I won’t forget
Southern Illinois and Illinois were assigned to play first- and second-round NCAA basketball tournament games in Columbus, Ohio, creating the delicious possibility of a game between the state’s top two programs in the second round. The Salukis took care of their end of the deal, beating Holy Cross in the first round. But the Illini blew a 13-point lead, and Virginia Tech scored the game’s final 12 points to knock out Illinois 54-52.
If I could have been a fly on the wall
The discussions between coach Ron Zook and offensive coordinator Mike Locksley about the Illinois quarterback situation must have been interesting. Williams, a sophomore, struggled early, and freshman backup Eddie McGee provided a spark off the bench. But the coaches stuck with Williams, and he blossomed.
Second-guessing myself
When Illinois took Missouri down to the final minute before losing the season opener at St. Louis 40-34, it should have been seen as a sign that the Illini were on the way back. At the time, Missouri was unranked. Before the season was over, the Tigers would spend some time at No. 1 and Illinois would climb to No. 13.
Story line for ’08
Can Illinois’ basketball team pull off some upsets, avoid bad losses and make the NCAA tournament for the ninth consecutive season? Can the Illinois football team turn the success of 2007 into a platform for a long run of bowl games?
Best quote I got
“I just feel like so many people think they’re too cool to step out. They don’t want to be seen to be different. I never wanted to seem too cool, like, ‘I’m above that.’ I just thought it looked pretty good. Sometimes women don’t agree with that, but that’s OK.”
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— Illinois linebacker J Leman on his shoulder-length hair.