Since 1996 the University of Illinois has only seen three different individual 1,000 yard rushing seasons. In 2002 Antoineo Harris totaled 1,377 yards and in 1996 and 1997 Robert Hoclombe rushed for more than 1,200 in each season. Since 1996 only two players have put together a season with double digit rushing touchdowns, Robert Hoclombe and Rashard Mendenhall.

University of Illinois early success can be attributed to their ability to eat up both the clock and yards on the ground. Through the first six games more than 63% of Illinois yards have come from the ground attack. More than 60% of their first downs and 70% of touchdowns have also been produced by the running game.

Mendenhall has carried the rock 114 times for 772 yards and a 6.8 yard per carry average. He has been able to mix power and speed to dominate defenses with his longest carry being a 50 yard touchdown run versus Syracuse. Mendenhall is on pace to gain more than 1,544 yards this year and if Illinois is able to secure a bowl bid he might just reach 1,700 yards.