CHAMPAIGN  We hereby submit substantial and credible information that Illinois football team committed acts Saturday night at Memorial Stadium that may constitute grounds for optimism.

   Game statistics for the Illinois-Middle Tennessee State game Saturday

CHAMPAIGN – Years from now, the Illinois football players will talk about their big win against Tennessee. In front of a full house. On ABC in prime time. With 20,000 students ripping down both sets of goalposts in milliseconds.

CHAMPAIGN – During the final minutes of their streak-snapping win over Middle Tennessee State, some Illinois players were waving for the fans to storm the field.

The home hopeful rubbed wrinkled brows during a half-quarter of frightful play Saturday.

It was scary. But when all returns were in, 35,000-plus recognized an Illini team that dealt with stunning adversity, overcame a quarterback's disappointing performance and unleashed significant weapons in cracking their 18-game losing streak, 48-20, against Middle Tennessee State.

   CHAMPAIGN  Thank the Lord, the Fighting Illini have given the people something to talk about, finally, besides the Bill and Monica show.

CHAMPAIGN – Now that Illinois freshman Rausell "Rocky" Harvey has surpassed the immortal Damien Platt in Illini lore, he has his sights set a little higher.

CHAMPAIGN – For the next three weeks, the Illinois football players won't be jumping on any foul-smelling airplanes.

They won't have their bus break down in the middle of nowhere.

They won't get home at 5 a.m., unless they want to.