llini linebacker Houston Bates is the Big Ten freshman of the week, conference officials announced. The redshirt freshman from Covington, La., had two tackles for a loss, including a sack, and recovered a fumble in Illinois' 33-15 victory over Arkansas State Saturday.
``I wanted to to exert some energy and I did,'' Bates said after the game. ``I'm definitely in the system now. I'm ready to play.''
Bates, who's listed behind sophomore Jonathan Brown at weakside linebacker, is part of a necessity-dictated youth movement in the Illinois linebacker corps.
``I've been saying since spring I couldnt wait to see him play,'' coach Ron Zook said. ``He loves to hit.''
Herb Gould started with the Sun-Times in 1977 and has covered several teams, including the Blackhawks. He is a long-time beat reporter covering the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten for the Sun-Times.
