Asmussen: Of NIU, Benn, Vontae, and future schedules

The Illinois staff approached Northern Illinois about the game. The Huskies will be paid $550,000 for the trip.

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For the first time since Pierre Thomas in 2004, the Illini named a sophomore as MVP.

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Junior cornerback Vontae Davis said he hasn't made a decision about entering the NFL draft early.

"That's down the road," Davis said. "I'm not worrying about that right now. I've got time. I'm just weighing my options."

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2009 schedule
Sept. 5 - vs. Missouri (St. Louis)
Sept. 12 - vs. Illinois State
Sept. 19 - Open
Sept. 26 - at Ohio State
Oct. 3 - Penn State
Oct. 10 - Michigan State
Oct. 17 - at Indiana
Oct. 24 - at Purdue
Oct. 31 - Michigan
Nov. 7 - at Minnesota
Nov. 14 - Northwestern
Nov. 21 - vs. Fresno State
Nov. 28 - at Cincinnati

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