On September's steamy artificial turf, trim receivers are granted repeated breathers ... running backs are alternated ... defensive linemen lumber on and off, some as specialist pass rushers and others to blunt the run.

But in the offensive front, 300-pounders almost are never relieved.

CHAMPAIGN – Got a brother? Justin Willis does. You might have heard of him. Goodness knows Justin sure did, every single day as a Centennial freshman in 1995.

"Little Lenny. That's what I was called the whole time," said Justin, who's busily making a name for himself these days. "Little Lenny."

The group of 24 football players had everything – size, speed, hype. Especially hype.

Illinois' 1995 class got pegged early as one of the best, not only in the Big Ten but nationally.

News and notes from Tuesday''s UI practice:

   SAGARIN SAYS: That playing Middle Tennessee State is bad for your rating. Illinois dropped 17 spots, from 62 to 79, in this week''s Sagarin rankings, which are published in USA Today.

As high schoolers, Aurora's Jeff Weisse and Louisville's Chris Redman were supposed to be roommates on an official visit to the University of Illinois.

"I believe Chris went hunting and had family with him, and I was alone in the room," Weisse recalled this week.

CHAMPAIGN – Each week, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany takes a look at the crowds for conference football teams.

When he gets to the number next to Illinois, Delany doesn't let out a shriek.

CHAMPAIGN – Apparently, Washington State and Middle Tennessee State didn't get the memo. You're supposed to throw long against the Illinois defense. At least, that's the way it used to be.

CHAMPAIGN – Tough to top the bum rush that Illinois' student body put on, but Jeff Weisse came darn close Saturday night.