When Illinois plays UCLA in the Rose Bowl on Saturday night, coach Ron Turner hopes to find situations in which he can put freshman running back Pierre Thomas on the field. The 2001 and 2002 All-Stater from Thornton Fractional South made an impressive collegiate debut late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 49-22 victory over Illinois State, breaking loose for a 35-yard run and finishing with 78 yards on nine carries. “We wouldn’t have played him in that situation if we hadn’t planned on playing him the whole year,” said Turner. “We definitely will try to find opportunities for him.” . . . Steve Weatherford, who didn’t play in Illinois’ opening loss to Missouri, has earned the punting assignment against UCLA after averaging 45 yards on three kicks against Illinois State.
