The Benn factor
The Illini have had another month of practice to get freshman receiver Arrelious Benn more involved in the offense. He was slowed the last two weeks of the regular season by a concussion and is playing with a sore shoulder that will require surgery after the season. He will return kickoffs and, for the first time this season, may bring back punts. Benn touched the ball only 6.8 times per game on plays from scrimmage. The Illini need to get it to him about 12 times in the Rose Bowl.
Bowl fright
Although the coaching staff has plenty of bowl experience, the players don’t. This is the Illini’s first postseason game since the Sugar Bowl six years ago. And they’re in the most historic bowl game of them all. Coaches have told the players to take a mental picture to remember as one of the highlights of their college careers. But then it will be down to business in a game that Southern California can almost print on its annual schedule — it’s the Trojans’ third straight Rose Bowl appearance and fourth in five years.
Safeties first
The Illinois safety triumvirate of Kevin Mitchell, Justin Harrison and Justin Sanders needs to contain All-America tight end Fred Davis, who has 55 catches and seven TDs. At 6 feet 4 inches and 250 pounds, Davis is a big, inviting target for quarterback John David Booty. The Trojans’ wide receiver corps isn’t as dominant as it has been, especially if Patrick Turner isn’t a factor because of a bruised quad muscle, so Davis is the priority.
Getting Mendenhall going
In what will likely be his last college game, Rashard Mendenhall will come out with a burst of energy. He has had seven 100-yard rushing games, but Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State kept him under 90 yards, so a huge game is not automatic. A fast start will help.
Which Juice will show up?
Quarterback Juice Williams made great strides in the last month of the season, most notably a four-TD-pass game in the victory at No. 1 Ohio State. In those games, he rushed for 339 yards and three scores. Williams has settled into his role after a rocky first half, which coincided with the birth of daughter La’Chez. He has been known to put pressure on himself, so if his early passes are misdirected, the Illini will have a problem.
A big-game performer
Middle linebacker J Leman made a national name for himself in the Nov. 10 upset of Ohio State, when he was in on 12 tackles, had eight solos, including 2 1/2 for losses. And the year before, in a loss to the Buckeyes, he was in on 19 tackles, with 3 1/2 for losses and one sack. So Leman has come up big in big games. The Illinois line will have to hold its own against the USC offensive line so Leman has room to make plays.
And at the end …
If it’s close in the fourth quarter, Illinois will feel comfortable with its chances. Senior kicker Jason Reda is closing out his career with his best season, making 15 of 16 field-goal attempts. His only miss was a 47-yarder against Michigan. He has made all three attempts from 50 yards or longer, including a career best 52-yarder at Indiana. He kicked four field goals in the pivotal home victory over Penn State, so a tight game won’t bother him.
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tabannon@tribune.com
