Illinois finally has a running back listed among the Big Ten leaders, an achievement that took seven games to accomplish. That’s telling for a program that led the conference in rushing for two consecutive years in 2006 and ‘07 but has lost its ability to control games on the ground.

But with Mikel Leshoure taking an increased role, the Illini are trying to re-establish themselves as a solid running team.

The sophomore has taken over the No. 1 spot on the depth chart the last two games, rushing for 200 yards on 27 carries. Illinois has followed suit with 185 and 180 yards rushing, albeit against Indiana and Purdue. In four previous games against Football Bowl Subdivision teams, the Illini averaged 113 rushing yards and 3.3 yards per carry, having padded some of their stats against Illinois State.

“He’s beginning to separate himself a little bit there,” coach Ron Zook said. “The times he came out of the game (Saturday), he took himself out. He can run, catch, protect. He’s a smart guy. He may be beginning to separate himself a little.”

Zook and his staff have been hesitant to hand the load to one running back, preferring to operate with a running back-by-committee system. But Leshoure said after the loss at Purdue that he gets into a better rhythm running the ball as he gets more carries.

The 12 carries he had against Indiana were a season-high for an Illinois running back as were the 15 he had against Purdue. He is now ninth in the Big Ten with 47.5 yards per game and his 6.5 yards per carry ranks second.

“I feel like the more runs I get the more rhythm I can get and the better I can do,” Leshoure said. “We haven’t been rotating backs as much. We’re going with a main guy and subbing, so that allows you to get a rhythm.”