Four-year starters

The Illini football club of four-year starters is rather exclusive and includes a dozen players who have earned 44 or more starting assignments during their careers. In Illini history, offensive linemen and linebackers are the most likely candidates to compile long streaks of starts. O-linemen have the four-longest starting streaks, with two more tied for sixth on the list. Ryan McDonald (2005-08) and Tim Simpson (1988-1991) top all players, with 48 starts over four years of action. Among current Illini players, offensive tackle Jeff Allen, a junior from Chicago's King High School, is the strongest candidate to break onto the list. He's started 21 games over the last two seasons, including 12 in 2009 and nine in 2008. With a potential 13 starts in 2010 and 14 in 2011, Allen could tie McDonald and Simpson for the all-time record. The top 12:

PLAYER YEARS STARTS

Ryan McDonald, OL (2005-08) 48

Tim Simpson, OL (1988-1991)

Bucky Babcock, OL (2001-04) 47

Tony Pashos, OL (1999-2002)

Chris Norvell, DT (2004-07) 46

Matt Maddox, OL (2003-06) 45

Marques Sullivan, OL (1997-2000) 45

Kevin Hardy, LB (1992-95) 45

Dana Howard, LB (1991-94) 45

Juice Williams, QB (2006-09) 44

Danny Clark, LB (1996-99) 44

Simeon Rice, LB (1992-95) 44

Illini Birthdays

Sunday: Brian Johnson, basketball (35)

Monday: Shannon Lindgren, softball (28)

Tuesday: Ron Logeman, football (56)

Wednesday: Levi Cobb, basketball (53)

Thursday: Mary Therese McDonnell, soccer (24)

Friday: Scott Studwell, football (56)

Saturday: Becky Biehl, golf (37)

By Mike Pearson, author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore and assistant athletic director at Miami (Ohio)