Moderator: Welcome back to another chat. I've still got some stories to write for Sunday's edition, so I'm going to answer a few questions, then take a short break.

Away we go.

Dan, Champaign, IL: Bob,

is Flowers still with the team? Have heard conflicting rumors recently

Moderator: Dan,

Bo Flowers is no longer with the team. I didn't realize it until earlier in the week. He was apparently unhappy with the lack of playing time and has a lot of things going on in his personal life. Nothing bad, of course.

He's older than the average college player and he might have decided to move on with his life.

W. Spearman, Yuma, Arizona: With Cooper canceling his visit and looking elsewhere as well as Fiedorwitz

have we lost them?

Moderator: W.,

As I understand it, Corey didn't cancel his visit. There was a miscommunication that has been resolved. His coach said he thinks Corey will sign with Illinois.

I will try to talk to CJ soon. Saturday's game will help the Illinois cause.

Andy, Ames, Iowa: Hey Bob,

I know that Prater's official visit is today, but do you think there is a chance he will come back when Cooper visits in December? Maybe between Cooper and Chandler they can change Prater's mind?

Moderator: Andy,

I think Illinois gave Kyle Prater every reason to reconsider the school. I won't be surprised if he picks Illinois.

Give Dan Disch a lot of credit for keeping Prater interested. I saw Kyle today and he looked like he was enjoying the trip.

Brad, Champaign, IL: does this mean that we wont be seeing Charest anymore this year?

Or just depend on how things are going?

Moderator: Brad,

I think it will depend on how things are going. I understand why Illinois stayed with Juice, especially after taking the lead in the third quarter. But Jacob is ready to go and I think he will get more time.

Peter, St. Louis, MO: Bob,

Where was Rejus all day? I would assume he had to be nicked up, didn't see him after the first quarter.

Mike, Moline, IL: What happened to Benn?

Moderator: Mike, Peter,

Arrelious reinjured his ankle. It doesn't sound like it is real bad. Hopefully, we'll know more tomorrow.

Charley, Bellingham, WA: Will the win today have any influence on Prater's visit this weekend?

Moderator: Charley,

I think it will certainly help. I think he was in the locker room after the game and he got to see a fired up team. The timing couldn't have been better for Illinois.

Don R, Normal, Ill: Bob: I think that the o-line and defense are finally coming together. What is your opinion.

Moderator: Don,

They definitely played better today. Of course, we should point out that Michigan isn't Ohio State or Penn State. Not now. But Illinois got after Tate Forcier on defense and ran over the Wolverines on offense.

Meatman, Boynton Beach, Fl.: How about Ron Zook for Governor?

Moderator: Meatman,

It shows you how crazy college football can be. One day, you're a bum. The next day, you're a hero. The reality is somewhere in between.

Ron Zook, I believe, would be on the Republican ticket. I don't see him going to Springfield.

Ryan, Champaign, IL: No question here, just wanna say that I'm glad to see Ron Zook get a big win. Maybe not the best football coach, but definitely a class act and has been throughout this tough season. Congrats Coach Zook and the Illini football team.

P.S. Terry Hawthorne is my new favorite Illini

Moderator: Ryan,

I hope they are all reading IlliniHQ.

Shamous, Waukegan, IL: Hey Bob,

Any word on other recruits (besides Kyle Prater) who were in town for the weekend? Besides the booing, doesn't get much better for recruits than today.

Moderator: Shamous,

I don't know who else was in town. We will try to find out. The folks at Illinois seemed to be paying very close attention to Prater.

Go Illini!, CU, IL: Bob -

The Zooker is back baby!! Did you see all that fine coaching in action? The recruits will be streaming in for sure! Terry Hawthorne is the spark we have been looking for on defense. #5 is once again the answer for illini fans. Look for juice to sustain this next week.

Josh, kc, missouri: I just want to say its nice to see some hustle from our team especially from the freshman Hawthorne and i cant wait for these young guys to get in next year and see what they truly can do. I would like to hear over and over Scheelhaase to Hawthorne if Terry gets back on the offensive side of the ball. Speaking of Scheelhaase was he on the sidelines Bob I was watching the game on Espn2 and did not see him next to coach sending plays in? Just curious if you know.

Moderator: Josh,

Nathan was on the sidelines and appeared to be signaling in the plays next to Reggie Mitchell. I watched for a few plays. Maybe the cameras had a bad angle.

Moderator: Folks,

I'm going to take a quick break and get back to my stories. I'll return to the chat at about 8 or so. Thanks for your patience.

Moderator: I'm back for a few more questions. You can read by game story on HQ now. No surprise, it's all about Terry Hawthorne.

gw blade, batestown, il: Loren Tate states that one man needs to make a decision instead of a committee. In any corporation this is not the case. Has Loren lost his mind? Several opinions will allow for a more comprehenise intelligent decision. Tate's only reasoning is personal.

Moderator: gw,

I can't answer for Loren.

The one-man selection committee eliminates media leaks. Of course, I like those leaks. They tend to lead to breaking stories by The News-Gazette. And that's what our paper should always be rooting for.

With a one-man selection committee, I think you miss out on the chance for somebody to say, "That's a terrible idea." You are basically counting on the ability of one person to make the call. As long as you trust the person, that's OK. I think you can do just as much good and be just as secretive with two or three tightly knit people. I think a small selection committee is the way to go on many hires.

I'll give you a newspaper example. When we have an opening in our sports department, Jim Rossow picks out the people he thinks should be interviewed. But the staff gets to meet that person. That's how we got a great writer like Paul Klee, who clicked with the staff. Easy hire, though there were other great candidates.

So, if it can work for a newspaper hire, it can work for a coaching hire.

Al , Milwaukee, WI: Bob, thanks for taking my question, Mike Garrity #57 was on the sidelines and dressed for today's game. I was under the assumption when you are charged with FELONY aggravated battery Ron Zook would dismiss you from the team at least until after you take care of your legal issues, guess not? Do you have an update on his status with the team?

Moderator: Al,

I think Ron Zook is allowing the legal system to work its course, just like he would with any other player. Garrity hasn't been convicted. I think Ron Zook is giving him the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure there have been a lot of converssations about it, just like with Josh Brent's case.

karm, Chicago, IL: I didn't see Dere Hicks at all today. Was he hurt, or was that a coaching decision?

Moderator: farm,

Dere did play today. He was credited with one tackle. But I don't think he was on the field much.

Scott, Champaign, IL: Halloween was an appropriate day for the Fighting Illini to come back from the dead and play the way they are capable of. What's the likelihood they're able to sustain this new life and keep winning? Also, major props to Terry Hawthorne - my MVP of the game!

Moderator: Scott,

After today, I don't know what to think. I would have thought Michigan would score from the 1. But it didn't. And Illinois took advantage of it. Maybe Illinois will run off a string of wins. It's a wacky game.

brian, Lincoln, NE: Bob - Love the chats. Not sure if this has been asked, but what does the win today do for Zook's job? I was hearing that a loss today pretty much guaranteed his removal at the end of the year.

Also, your thoughts on Prater's visit. Any shot at him?

Moderator: Brian,

I think the win does Ron Zook a ton of good. Not just the win, but the way the team played. I think Ron Guenther's announcement last week took off a lot of the pressure.

I think Illinois did itself a lot of good with Kyle Prater today. The fact that he's looking at all tells you a lot.

Tom, Peoria, Ill: Just a comment . . . I was at the game today and must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the fan turnout. I was afraid that many had abandoned the season and it was good to see all the loyal orange and blue cheering for the home team !!!

Grady, Saint Joseph, IL: I'm a big fan of the theory of...If It Isn't Broke...Don't Try To Fix It. We certainly looked awfully good today in several phases of the game, so why not stick with the same lineups for the rest of the season? Your thoughts? Did you see any weak spots where you would have preferred to see other players in the lineup?

Moderator: Grady,

That makes a lot of sense. I would think several guys have earn continued or extensive playing time. Terry Hawthorne should be tried at receiver, too.

redgrange77, Frisco, TX: Bob-

Great win. I think Charest should have been put in the game last 4 minutes and Juice given the opportunity to be recognized by the Announcer as he walked off the field. Why is Zook so stubborn with this? Juice took 2 very hard hits on the last drive. What say you?

Moderator: redgrange,

Great point, one I hadn't thought of until you wrote it. I will ask about it tomorrow on the teleconference. But that would have been a wise choice by the coaches.

Frank, Champaign, IL: why do we continually not take a chance down the field? i know our running game is much better than our passing game, but you cant run every single play

Moderator: Frank,

I think Illinois will keep running against Michigan in the future. Illinois was successful on a couple of deep plays in the second half.

Moderator: I'm going to take another short break. I'll be back in about 15 minutes.

Moderator: I'm back. Sorry, got to take care of the home office first.

Bob, Gainesville, FL: Is Benn hurt? He did not play after midway thru 3Q

Moderator: Bob,

Arrelious hurt his ankle again. It doesn't sound like it is too serious.

brian, Lincoln, NE: Follow up to my previous question. Does the win today save Zooks job, even if we lost out to end the year? What staff changes do you think we will see at the end of the season?

Moderator: Brian,

I think the win today goes a long way toward securing Zook's return. I think the rest of the season will determine what changes will be made to the staff. I don't think we should assume anything is a certainty. Changes at all levels will be discussed.

I don't think Ron Zook will want to lose any of his assistants without first seeing if they can get other jobs. That's the way it works whenever possible.

Drew, Champaign, IL: How hot is Rich Rodriguez's seat at scUM? Its must be burning hotter than zook's im sure.

Moderator: Drew,

Scorching. The margin for error is much smaller at Michigan. He didn't have great support to start. Plus, the NCAA is looking into practice-gate.

Guy, Minford, OH: So was this Shultz's offense or was it Zook's. I know when Shultz came in it was said he was going to run Zooks offense?

Moderator: Guy,

Great question. I'll try to find out the accurate answer and get back to you.

Jeff Banister, RANTOUL, IL: bob, FINALLY! That place was loud today, us fans were letting out a lot of frustration by cheering! whats with the play calling the last couple minutes of the 2nd quarter? 2nd and 17 and we run the ball? I dont know what zook said at half but it worked! GO ILLINI!

Moderator: Jeff,

I think Ron Zook let his offensive coaches know that he wasn't happy. At least, that's my sense. He talked today about adjustments that were made at halftime.

bernard, mattoon, il: great win today. Orange jerseys on halloween are great, but do you think we will ever see the good old blue over orange uniforms again?

Moderator: Bernard,

I ask that question all of the time. I think you'll see it at some point. But know how superstitious coaches are, I think the orange on white will be back for Northwestern.

Moderator: I'm going to call it a night. Thanks for all of your great questions. Ask me some more during Tuesday's chat.