SportsLine wire reports
April 14, 1999

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Big Ten is known for its smash-mouth football: Play-tough defense and run-the-football offense. This spring a strong core of halfbacks are making sure Illinois will be able to hold its end for the conference in the second area.

Illinois head coach Ron Turner has his three top rushers back from one year ago, along with two very capable freshmen. Senior Steve Havard entered spring ball as the Illini's No. 1 on the depth chart, but lurking closely behind are sophomores Jameel Cook and Rocky Harvey, along with freshmen Quincy Washington and Antoineo Harris.

Havard opened and closed last year's campaign as the starter, gaining 564 yards on 124 carries (4.5 average) and five touchdowns. Havard was huge in Illinois' final win of last season against Indiana. He ran for 146 yards on 26 carries, scored two rushing touchdowns and added a third TD on a kickoff return.

"It's all good knowing coach Turner has the confidence in me, saying that I'm the go-to guy for a while," Havard said. "That doesn't mean squat, I have to work just as hard, if not harder to make myself better, and hopefully the other backs that are behind me push me to make me better as well."

Those other backs Havard referred to, namely Harvey, Cook and Washington are all listed on the depth chart at No. 2.

"It's a very competitive situation," Turner said. "We have some depth there and some real good balance."&

HARVEY CAUGHT THE CONFERENCE AND NATIONAL EYE leading the Illini last season in rushing (634 yards) and touchdowns (six). In his debut against Middle Tennessee State, he rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns. He was named one of the "Top 10 Rookies" by Sports Illustrated.

Cook is the third halfback returning from last year's squad. The Miami native only rushed for 190 yards last season, but that came mostly in two contests -- a 42-yard performance in the season opener against Washington State and a team-leading 80-yard showing at Purdue. All three players motivate each other on and off the field according to Havard, but they do it in their own way.

"It's more example than talk. Jameel would make a play, or Rocky would make a play, then it would just become contagious, everybody wants to make good plays," Havard said. "Running back is probably the most competitive position on the team. I think the only way we get better is if we push each other."

Harris and Washington, the freshmen, are also getting good looks from the coaching staff this spring.

WASHINGTON IS A CHAMPAIGN NATIVE who set the twin-city rushing mark with 2,725 career yards and 37 touchdowns. Washington redshirted last season.

Harris was academically ineligible last season. The Bolingbrook native came out of high school highly touted, as he set school records in with 4,410 career rushing yards and 60 touchdowns. His senior year he was named to the USA Today all-star team.

While getting the halfbacks playing time now in the spring is not a problem, when the regular season rolls around not everyone will have the chance to see the field, or will they? Last season, Turner used Havard and Harvey in the same backfield many times, while Cook would come in for certain possessions or certain series.

Turner does not rule out trying to get as many of them on the gridiron as possible, as long as they compete.

"If a guy is performing well and doing some good things, we'll find a way to get them on the field," Turner said.