Illinois sophomore Pierre Thomas is in great company.
A 72-yard kickoff return in the first quarter of Saturday’s loss to Purdue made Thomas the second player in school history to record two career kickoff returns of more than 70 yards. In the previous game he ran the opening kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown.
The other Illini player with two such kickoff returns is Red Grange, one of college and pro football’s all-time greats. . . .
Junior punter and kickoff man Steve Weatherford made his field-goal kicking debut against Purdue and split the uprights from 48 yards out. True freshman Jason Reda, who connected on attempts of 24 and 22 yards to give him five field goals in seven attempts this season, will continue to kick from short to medium range. . . .
With wide receiver Ade Adeyemo sidelined, coach Ron Turner will move sophomore Franklin Payne into the starting lineup.
