Going into the start of the Big Ten season Saturday against Michigan State (3-0), Pierre Thomas is leading Illinois (2-1) in rushing, averaging 5.3 yards on 37 carries.
More Top Picks Best Canned Tuna Genova Premium Yellowfin Tuna Review
Fellow junior E.B. Halsey, who alternates with Thomas at running back, is next with 3.5 yards on 39 carries.
Junior quarterback Tim Brasic has a 2.8-yard average on 44 running attempts.
In view of Thomas’ significantly better statistics, why didn’t he carry the ball more in the first three games?
“It’s a long season,” coach Ron Zook said. “We don’t want to wear him out. We’re in the Big Ten season now; they all count, but now it really counts.”
Zook praised the performance of sophomore defensive tackle Chris Norwell in the loss at California: “I thought he did pretty well–he batted down a pass and he blocked the field goal.”
Norwell also had three tackles, giving him a team-leading eight among interior linemen in the three non-conference games. Three of the tackles produced losses.