The Big Ten is well aware of Emily Zurrer's prowess. The conference has witnessed over and over again her vicious slide tackle - a physical act only she could make look elegant and graceful. The Illinois junior has been one of the conference's premiere defenders since her freshman debut in 2005, winning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and has been named Big Ten Player of the Week three times in her career.

RANTOUL - Sunday's Illinois Football Media Day was somewhat of a stark contrast to last week's Big Ten Media Days to say the least, moving from the Hyatt Regency in the big city of Chicago with national media to East Central Illinois' main metropolis Rantoul for the Orange and Blue's version of media day on the eve of a three-week training camp.