Illinois coach Bill Cubit on Friday said that Josh Ferguson will start at tailback against Purdue on Saturday.
"The first play will be for Josh," Cubit told The News-Gazette.
Cubit said Ferguson and Ke'Shawn Vaughn will split duties against the Boilermakers.
Ferguson, sidelined with a shoulder injury since midway in the win against Nebraska, , is listed as probable on the team's weekly injury report which was released Thursday.