BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - After two years of sharing the running duties with Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey, Rashard Mendenhall has been asked to step to center stage.

Based on what the Illini junior has done through four games, he might win an Oscar for "Best Performance by a Tailback in Leading Role."

Mendenhall carried 27 times for a career-best 214 yards Saturday, helping to lead Illinois to a 27-14 victory over Indiana in the Big Ten opener.

Mendenhall scored two touchdowns (a 15-yard reception and a 5-yard run) and topped 100 yards for the third straight game. After carrying 10 times for 93 yards in the first half, Mendenhall turned into a workhorse in the second, with Illinois feeding him 17 times for another 121 yards.

On a hot day in which both teams rotated tailbacks, Illini coach Ron Zook gave Mendenhall high praise.

"What we all saw today was a little more toughness," Zook said. "We kept reminding him at the end of the game to keep that ball high and tight. He's not running out of bounds. He's running like the good, strong back he is.

"He's doing a nice job. I'm really proud of him. I told him in the warm-ups, 'Put this team on your back and go,' and I think that's what he did."

Mendenhall was briefly running out of gas in the fourth quarter, prompting Illinois to insert freshman Troy Pollard at a key time.

"I put him in the game because the other two guys (Mendenhall and Daniel Dufrene) were tired," Zook said. "I didn't want to put them in the game and risk a fumble."

That strategy backfired when Pollard fumbled, giving Indiana the ball.

Mendenhall admitted to some fatigue but said he enjoys getting the bulk of the carries.

"It's nice getting the ball and making people miss," he said. "But if we have to throw it the whole game, I'm cool with that. Whatever it takes to win the game."

Mendenhall said the offensive line gave him some huge running lanes.

"I feel like I could have driven a truck around out there," he said. "There were holes all over the place."

Injury report

Zook said both backup tailbacks may have been dinged up.

Pollard suffered a knee injury on the play in which he fumbled. And Dufrene, who already was nursing a sore ankle, may have twisted it again.

Offensive tackle Xavier Fulton left the game with a sore ankle but returned a short time later.

"When the game was over, we were signing the school song in the locker room, and Xavier was in the middle of it jumping up and down and dancing," Zook said. "So I think he's fine."

Just rewards

Safety Justin Harrison had a big day for the Illini.

He broke up two passes - one in the end zone - made seven tackles and stole the ball from Ray Fisher, forcing one of four turnovers for the Illini.

"I don't know if I stole it, but I snatched it," Harrison said "When I hit him, the ball was right there, and I took advantage of the situation.

"I feel like I capitalized on the things we saw all week in film. The plays we made, I knew those were there, and I was ready for them when they came."

Harrison said the secondary and defensive line are enjoying mutual benefits of their hard work.

When the coverage is good, Illinois is getting to the quarterback. The Illini had seven sacks Saturday and have 12 in the last two games.

When the pass rush is good, it forces quicker passes, and the defense has been ready. Vontae Davis recorded an interception for Illinois, and Will Davis had four of the Illini sacks.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.