[Buckskin86]

Brookhaven graduate has excelled vs. Buckeyes
Thursday, September 24, 2009
By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

There could have been no better time than today for Jeff Cumberland to play against his hometown team.

First, in three years at Illinois, he has had more receptions (seven) and gained more yards (107) against the Buckeyes than against any other Big Ten team except Northwestern. He caught a touchdown against them last season, and two years ago was part of the Illini's upset of the nation's then-No.1-ranked team in Ohio Stadium.

"It just seems like every time we play them, I have a pretty decent game against them," said Cumberland, a Brookhaven High School graduate. "It's not like a goal, where I tell myself every time I play Ohio State, I'm going to bring a different game and play a lot better. It's just what has happened."

And then there is another reason today's game is so timely for him: the two passes he dropped, and a third he fumbled, in a 37-9 loss to Missouri three weeks ago in Illinois' opener.

The performance cost him time at receiver in the next game, though he played on special teams. The Illini had a bye last weekend. Today should be a chance at redemption, "to bring a different game and play a lot better" than he did against Missouri.

"I'm pretty much out of the doghouse," Cumberland said this week. "I should be back in the rotation."

Cumberland, 6 feet 5 and 255 pounds, was switched to receiver from tight end midway through his sophomore year because of his speed and athleticism for his size. He has 50 career catches and is averaging 17 yards per catch.

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