CHAMPAIGN — In 2017, the Illinois rushing attack was the seventh-worst among 130 FBS teams, averaging 105.6 rushing yards per game. In 2018, the Illini finished 13th among FBS teams in rushing offense (243.0).

On Wednesday, two of the key pieces of that rushing attack were honored by the Big Ten. Senior offensive lineman Nick Allegretti was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team by media, while junior running back Reggie Corbin earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors from both coaches and media.

Illini sophomore offensive lineman Alex Palczewski also earned honorable mention All-Big Ten from the media.

Allegretti, a two-time team captain, made 36 straight starts to end his career. Pro Football Focus rated Allegretti the No. 3 guard in the nation. According to PFF, he allowed only one quarterback hit and no sacks in 394 dropbacks this season.

Palczewski, who started all 12 games this season and has started 23 straight games, was graded the fourth-best tackle in the Big Ten by PFF and also earned the No. 9 PFF run-blocking grade for offensive tackles.

Corbin led the Big Ten in yards per rush (8.5) and finished fifth in the conference in total rushing yards (1,085). The four running backs who rushed for more yards — Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (1,989 yards), Michigan’s Karan Higdon (1,178), Penn State’s Miles Sanders (1,223) and Indiana’s Stevie Scott (1,137) — each had at least 79 more carries than Corbin this season.

Taylor and Higdon were named First Team All-Big Ten. Sanders and Ohio State's JK Dobbins (961 yards) were named Second Team All-Big Ten.

Corbin was just the fourth player during the last two decades to reach quadruple-digit rushing yards in a single season, joining Leshoure, Rashard Mendenhall (2007) and Antoineo Harris (2002). On record, this is the 13th season of 1,000 rushing yards by an individual. Jim Grabowski (twice) and Robert Holcombe (thrice) are the only Illini to top 1,000 rushing yards in multiple seasons.

“As an offensive lineman, to have a running back go over 1,000, it means a lot,” Allegretti said earlier this month. “You’re blocking and you take a look up, and if he’s getting toward that second level, it’s about getting 100 percent that he’s taking it all the way. He’s extremely talented. I’m so happy for him.”

Corbin, who rushed for 78 yards on 18 carries in 2017, led the nation this season in 50-plus yard runs (seven), 60-plus yard runs (five), 70-plus yard runs (four) and 80-plus yard runs (one).

"You hit a couple 70-yarders and that will make a coach sit on the sidelines with his hands on his knees looking the opposite direction for about five minutes," Illinois offensive coordinator Rod Smith said earlier this month. "That’s what Reggie can do for you."

His highlight game came against Minnesota, when he ran for 213 yards — eighth-most in program history — on 13 carries, including runs of 77 and 72 yards. It was one of four 100-plus yard rushing performances for Corbin, who wouldn’t qualify as a “workhorse” back. He averaged just 10.7 carries per game as he shared touches with quarterback AJ Bush Jr. (733 yards), Mike Epstein (411 yards) and Ra’Von Bonner (410 yards).