22 Jan 11 RB Mikel Leshoure, Illinois Fighting Illini Defeat Northern Illinois Huskies

LeShoure led the Illini with 180 rushing yards against the Huskies in Week 3.Dilip Vishwanat/Getty ImagesIllinois running back Mikel Leshoure ran for 180 of Illinois 319 rushing yards and one touchdown, leading the Fighting Illini past the Northern Illinois Huskies 28-22 on Saturday. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase also ran for 115 yards and one touchdown, combining with Leshoure to account for 295 of the team319 rushing yards and two of the teamthree rushing touchdowns. The junioris living up to the hype he received in the offseason, showing potential toReebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
become one of the best running backs in the Big Ten. Northern Illinois, led by quarterback Chandler Harnish117 rushing yards and 208 passing yards, fell to 1-2 on the season after the loss. The Illini opened the scoring when Scheelhaase leaped into the end zone during a rushing attempt,putting the Illini ahead early in the first quarter. The Huskies stormed back scoring 12 unanswered points, having one PAT blocked and missing the other. This was also the last time the Huskies led on Saturday. The Illini responded, with a field goal from kicker Derek Dimke and a touchdown by running back Jason Ford followed by a two-point conversion from Scheelhaase, to take an 18-12 lead into halftime. The crowd was silenced in the third quarter when sophomore guard Hugh Thornton lay motionless on the field after taking a helmet to the back of his neck.The 6'5" Thornton had to be carted off the field and taken to the hospital. It was reported after the game that all tests came back negative and he was able to move his extremities. The Illini defense, despite giving up 390 yards of Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
offense, stepped up and made stops when they needed them. Ron Zook put his job on the line, going for a 4th-and-1 at the Ilini's own 46, aftera Huskies' touchdown cut Illinois leadby two, 21-19. Leshoure not only converted the fourth down, but also capped off the drive with a touchdown runto put Illinois ahead late in the fourth quarter. Northern Illinois kicked a field goal to make it a one score game, but the Illini defense held strong and stopped the Huskies' final drive, giving Illinois the victory.