The Illini Rushing Offense

Although Illinois' passing offense improved markedly from 2007 to 2008, the rushing offense was disappointing. The team dropped from 257 yards per game (5th nationally) to 170 yards per game (38th nationally). Not surprisingly, none of the Illinois running backs could match the production of first-round draft-choice Rashard Mendenhall (262 C, 1681 Yds, 17 TDs). Instead, the Illini took a running back by committee approach, with mixed results.

Juice was actually the leading rusher on the team, with 150 carries for 882 yards (5.88 y/c). His production was similar to 2007, and was actually slightly improved. (I have taken sacks out of his rushing figures - sacks are pass plays!!) The running backs, however, totaled just 1120 yards on 239 carries (4.6 y/c) vs. 2215 yards on 346 carries the year before (6.4 y/c). Although Ron Zook and Mike Locksley called on the running backs less often, they were still significantly less effective on a per-carry basis.

That said, the rushing offense is still a strength for this team. The entire backfield returns and ought to be improved. I don't think that the team necessarily needs one running back to take the bulk of the carries, a la 2007. Indeed, the two RB attack of Daniel Dufrene and Jason Ford was pretty effective by normal standards, just not Rashard Mendenhall standards. Dufrene averaged 5.7 yards per carry and Ford was a beast near the goal line (8 TDs on just 81 carries). Although Ford's yards per carry figure was low (3.6 y/c), I have to think that this mostly reflects the fact that he was used in short-yardage situations. Ford is projected to emerge as the top RB this year, and I believe that he will prove to be able to handle a bigger load than Dufrene, who will still be one hell of a change of pace back. Whether this unit will emerge as a force again will depend on the improvement of Jason Ford.