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Illinois Football: 5 stats that show why the Illini are ranked in the AP Top 25

By Rees Woodcock

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is sacked by Illinois linebacker Ezekiel Holmes (33) on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinUsat Wisconsin Vs Illinois Football 100122 660 Ttm
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is sacked by Illinois linebacker Ezekiel Holmes (33) on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinUsat Wisconsin Vs Illinois Football 100122 660 Ttm /
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Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 819 yards

It has been a really long time since I have seen an Illinois running back as talented as Chase Brown. He has all of the ability in the world, and he is giving the Illini a consistent 100+ yards in every game.

The last legendary running back for the Illini was Mikel Leshoure in 2010. He put up the single-season rushing record for the Illini with 1,697 yards. But even he wasn’t consistent when running the football. Leshoure had four games of sub-100 yards that season.

I think that is a part of what makes Brown special. He is putting up a ton of yards, but he is doing it every game. Brown currently has 879 yards on the season, and he has eclipsed 100 yards in all six contests. On top of that, he has had at least 146 yards in four out of six games.

This type of season has me watching to see if Brown can continue to break records. One of the pinnacle records is that single-season rushing mark set by Leshoure in 2010.

To break Leshoure’s record, Brown needs to continue on the tear he is on right now. He would need to rush for 819 yards in the final six games of the 2022 season. That comes out to 136.5 yards per game.

I think Brown can do it. I think he can set the single-season rushing record for the Illini. He is currently averaging 146.5 yards per game on the ground. If he continues on that pace, he would finish with 1,758 yards for the season, which would shatter Leshoure’s record.

Brown is one of those special players who don’t come around often. Illini fans need to enjoy what we are watching.

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