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Illinois Football: Top 5 Illini running back duos since 2000

By Rees Woodcock

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Joshua McCray #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Joshua McCray #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 16: Halfback Antoineo Harris #31 of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball past linebacker Matt Wilhelm #35 and linebacker Cie Grant #6 of the Ohio State University Buckeyes during the Big Ten game at Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2002 in Champaign, Illinois. OSU defeated Illinois 23-16, in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 16: Halfback Antoineo Harris #31 of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball past linebacker Matt Wilhelm #35 and linebacker Cie Grant #6 of the Ohio State University Buckeyes during the Big Ten game at Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2002 in Champaign, Illinois. OSU defeated Illinois 23-16, in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Antoineo Harris & Carey Davis – 1,649 – 8 TD

It was hard to adjust to life after the 2001 Sugar Bowl team. Illinois lost some great talent from that team, but a duo that did carry over was Antoineo Harris and Carey Davis.

Both Harris and Davis could pack a punch in the Illinois backfield. Harris would be the lead running back in 2002, as he totaled 1,330 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. With 278 carries that year, Harris was a true workhorse for the Orange and Blue.

Davis was a nice complement to Harris’ running attack. He would end his 2002 season with 59 carries for 319 yards. These two were great on the ground, as they combined for 1,649 yards and eight touchdowns that year.

I think Davis’ impact through the air helped this duo when it comes to all-time rankings. He would end the 2002 season with 201 yards receiving, which was No. 5 on the team in total receiving yards.

The 1,649 yards Harris and Davis rushed for is the third-most by any Illinois running back duo since 2000. While the touchdown total wasn’t necessarily there, they were two of the most physically dominating running backs Illinois has ever had.

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