PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB AJ Bush rushed for 187 yards last week, which was a school record for a quarterback, breaking Juice Williams record of 174, set against Eastern Illinois in 2008. “Some good things we found, especially on the offensive side of the football,” coach Lovie Smith said. “AJ Bush was outstanding. With a quarterback playing that way, you have a chance to win.” Bush has rushed for 659 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games this season.
–RB Reggie Corbin rushed nine times for 59 yards against Nebraska, reaching 1,011 yards to become the first Illinois player to reach the 1,000-yard milestone since Mikel Leshoure in 2010 (1,697). Corbin, however, left the game in the second quarter with a lower-body injury. Coach Lovie Smith said Monday he was “hopeful” the junior would be able to play this week vs. Iowa.
–DL Bobby Roundtree had two sacks and three tackles for loss last week against Nebraska, part of a big day that included eight tackles, a forced fumble and a pass break-up. He leads the team in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (6.5). He has also gotten his hands up to knock down seven passes, a skill that could come in handy against Iowa QB Nate Stanley and a Hawkeyes offense that relies on the pass more than you might think.
SERIES HISTORY: Illinois leads Iowa 38-33-2, but the Hawkeyes have won 12 of the last 15, nine of the last 10, and four in a row. Iowa won 46-16 last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s a special time. The impact on our team, it’s a big impact. Seniors that are leaving have excellent leadership on and off the football field. They’ve put their time in here building a program. Once you get to your senior year you’ve gone through an awful lot with sacrifice and hard work, and you want to finish it off the right way.” — Coach Lovie Smith, on Senior Day on Saturday.
