Fourth-and-blog

8 days to 2009 opener

Posted by: Bob Asmussen

Friday, August 28, 2009 11:46 PM

How do we know the first game is getting close? In Illinois' case, Ron Zook holds a dress rehearsal at Memorial Stadium.

This year's version of the annual event is 10 a.m. Saturday. Zook and his team will put on their uniforms and act as if they have a game. The coaches will test out their headsets in the press box. The different special teams will line up.

For the younger guys, it has to make them feel more comfortable about what's going to happen Sept. 5. The only thing that they can't simulate is the crowd in the stands. They'll have to wait for that, though piped in noise during practice is something Zook has used in the past.

The players and coaches will also spend part of Saturday with the fans, signing autographs and taking pictures. You can park in the Assembly Hall lots and enter on the west side of Memorial Stadium.

Enjoy. And let the games (almost) begin.

To read Day 10, click here

To read Day 11-12, click here.

To read Day 13, click here.

To read Day 14, click here.

To read Day 15, click here.

To read Day 16, click here

To read Day 17, click here

To read Day 18, click here

To read Day 19, click here.

To read Day 20, click here.

To read Day 21, click here

To read Day 22, click here.

To read Day 23, click here

To read Day 24, click here

To read Day 25, click here

To read Day 26, click here.

To read Day 27, click here.

To read Day 28, click here.

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