Illini Shutout Leathernecks
Posted by Dan O'Brien on September 9, 2007 11:00 AM
12 photos by Cary Frye
Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 139 yards (6 yd per carry) with 1 TD.
Illinois served up its first shutout since 2000 in its home-opener Saturday night, defeating Western Illinois 21-0. The defense dominated all night, J Leman once again led the way with 11 tackles. On the offensive side, the running game was unstoppable: Rashard Mendenhall, Daniel Dufrene & Co. gained 277 yards and averaged 5 yd per carry. The passing game was less than spectacular: Juice Williams was 12-24 for 123 yd and a pick. Up next is a trip to the Carrier Dome and a game against 0-2 Syracuse. The Illini haven't won in a dome since 1994.
Illinois - WIU thread on Illinois Loyalty. 59 pics of Memorial Stadium during the WIU game. Article. Article. Official recap.
More game pictures after the jump!
Photos by Cary Frye courtesy of fryeimages.
Illinois defenders Antonio Steele (#40) and Josh Brent (#92) wrap up WIU running back Herb Donaldson. The Illini defense held the WIU offense to just four first downs and 152 yards of total offense.
Daniel Dufrene scored on a 32 yd run.
Illinois LB J Leman on one of his team-high 11 tackles against WIU.
A pack of players battle for a pass from Jacob Willis; the pass was incomplete.
Rashard Mendenhall
Illinois QB Juice Williams scored on a 9 yard run.
Jerry Brown
Rashard Mendenhall
Juice Williams
Kevin Mitchell
Martez Wilson
Related: 59 pics of Memorial Stadium during the WIU game >>
