Football season is finally back at Illinois, as each new season provides the opportunity for longstanding records to be broken and history to be made.
While some records seem set in stone, others are ripe for the taking.
Illinois football record that could be broken
Perhaps the only single-season record that could be broken this season is the longest field goal, in part because the record holder returned to Illinois this past spring.
Ethan Moczulski holds the Illinois record with a 59-yard field goal and could be in line to break his own record. Given that Bret Bielema and the coaching staff have already experienced his range firsthand, they may be more willing to test him with longer field goals.
A lot would need to go right for other records
Other records may have a chance to be broken, but it is more likely than not that they will keep their place in the record books.
Ca'Lil Valentine will have a tall task in front of him if he wants to break the single-season rushing yards record of 1,697 set by Mikel Leshoure in 2010.
He would have to average around 142 yards per game across the 12-game season. Given the variety in this offense under Barry Lunney Jr. and the solid depth Illinois has at the running back position, the opportunity for Valentine to accumulate that many yards throughout the season seems unlikely.
However, one record with a greater chance of being broken is the single-season receiving touchdown record shared between David Williams, Brandon Lloyd, and Pat Bryant with 10 touchdowns each.
With the injury to Jayshon Platt to start the season, this opens up more touches to players like Hudson Clement or Brayden Trimble.
If Katin Houser can strike up real chemistry with one of the two early on in the season, this record may be poised to be broken.
Likely no chance to break this season
Other records seem to be set in stone for one reason or another.
The rushing touchdowns record of 17 touchdowns, split between Rashard Mendenhall in 2007 and Leshoure in 2011, should be safe for this season. Given the depth at the position, rushing touchdowns may end up being pretty split between the lead backs, Valentine and Aidan Laughery.
Additionally, the passing yards record of 3,671, set by Tony Eason in 1982, will likely be incredibly hard for Houser to top. He would need to average over 306 passing yards per game.
As mentioned earlier, given the diversity in the offense, Illinois is not likely to rely so heavily on the passing game.
Both the receptions record of 101 receptions and the receiving yards record of 1,278 yards set by Williams in 1984 are likely to be too gaudy to surmount. Needing to average nearly nine receptions and 107 yards per game, it is hard to imagine any single receiver getting that much attention in this offense.
On the defensive side, an unworldly season would be necessary to break Al Brosky’s 1951 interception record of 11 interceptions, and the Illini lack a true star on the defensive line to break the record of 16 sacks in a season, split between Whitney Mercilus in 2011 and Simeon Rice in 1994.
While it is unlikely the record book sees major changes, this roster still provides enough to keep some of these records in mind.
Add us as a preferred source on Google