Illini report

UI NOTES

NEW POSITION? Illinois coach Ron Turner has said he wants his best players on the field. On offense, that means Steve Havard and Jameel Cook in the same backfield.

Havard has worked some at fullback with Cook lined up at tailback.

"A little bit like we did with (Robert) Holcombe and myself the last two games last year," Havard said.

Havard and Holcombe worked in the same backfield against Ohio State and Michigan State.

When UI career rushing leader Holcombe left, everyone assumed Havard would take over. But the running duties likely will be split between Havard, Cook and freshman Rocky Harvey. Havard expects opposing defenses to be confused.

"They don't know who to focus on, who to concentrate on," Havard said. "We have a more balanced offense. We're going to keep them guessing. We've got receivers, we've got running backs, we've got a quarterback that can get the ball there."

BREAKING AWAY: The Illini had Saturday and today off to rest their weary bones. The team will have an extra day of practice Monday before the Washington State game. Starting Sept. 14, the Illini will take Mondays off. Turner is going to an National Football League-style schedule, practicing the day after a game and not practicing the next day.

SUSPENSION STATUS: Turner said Friday defensive back Bobie Singleton was suspended for three games. Singleton was involved in an incident Sept. 23 that caused the dismissal of wide receiver Connie Moore.

Singleton was deep on the Illini depth chart and is unlikely to get significant playing time this season.

WHO'S HURT? Defensive end Fred Wakefield returned to practice Friday after being out with a strained neck. He worked in a limited amount of drills. Tight end Mike Cracioniou remained out with a hamstring injury. Defensive end Rameel Connor reinjured his hamstring and will be out until Monday. Receiver Lenny Willis missed practice because of an ankle injury. Connor and Willis could be back Monday.

UP NEXT: The Illini return to practice Monday afternoon at a site to be determined. The practices are closed to the public and the media.

– By BOB ASMUSSEN

AROUND THE BIG TEN

SPORTS IRRITATED: Ohio State linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer has taken the offensive when it comes to talk of his performance in the classroom.

"The entire media has blown my eligibility out of proportion," he said. "I don't read the paper anymore. But I hear from my parents, my roommate, from everybody, 'Did you read this? Did you read that?' "

Katzenmoyer, who won the Butkus Award last year as the nation's top linebacker, took music, golf and AIDS awareness during the summer quarter to bring his overall grade-point average up to a qualifying 2.0.

His academic troubles are highlighted Sports Illustrated's college football preview issue, which has Katzenmoyer on the cover and ranks the Buckeyes No. 1, but with an asterisk. It notes the junior linebacker must be eligible if Ohio State is to remain on top.

"It's ridiculous. If I knew they were going to run that kind of story in there, I wouldn't have done the shot or given the interview," he said Friday.

Katzenmoyer said he especially was upset with the story's implication that he's biding time this season and would leave for the National Football League in 1999.

"They probably figured since I have bad grades and the potential to play next year, I'd make that decision," he said.

POLLING PLACE

We want to know how you think the Illini will fare this season (11 games). Jot down your record and a comment, then reach us at our Web site (www.news-gazette.com), by fax (351-5374) or by mail(Illini Prediction, Sports Department, P.O. Box 677, Champaign, IL, 61820).

A sampling of the responses turned in so far:

Record: 5-6

"The team has had some good and bad practices this season. I have all the faith in this team. This is the year the Fighting Illini come back to life."

– Kevin Hollis, Mahomet

Record: 4-7

"When is the last time a loyal Illini supporter felt he was being optimistic by predicting a 4-7 record? Wow! How far we have fallen. I'll love them as much at 4-7 as I did at 0-11 or would at 11-0. Mark Hoekstra is a winner. This year, he'll start to show why."

– Art Hasse, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Record: 4-7

"It's time there's new blood, and I think they'll do better this year."

– Mary Ellen Cravens, Monticello

Record: 4-7

"Newcomers will help at outside receiver and punting. Secondary and special teams will be greatly improved. We need consistent play at quarterback and very few injuries to be successful."

– Bill Hoffman, Rantoul

Record: 3-8

"The true gauge of the Illini's success this year will not be their record but how well they compete. The Illini will face at least four teams this year that have significantly better talent and established tradition. If the Illini give these teams a hard-fought battle then Ron Turner has made real progress. I expect the Illini to blow a couple close games this year because the program needs to learn how to expect victory again. It is not going to be an overnight (or even two-year) process."

– Keith Pogue, Champaign

Record: 2-9

"Illinois will not be that good again this season. They should beat Middle Tennessee State. After that I am hopeful a little that they will win one Big Ten game this season."

– Tom Hardiek, Teutopolis

Record: 2-9

"I hope that we are patient with the Ron Turner regime. Good things will happen within two years and two big-time playmakers."

– Ken Sanders, Catlin

Record: 1-10

"There isn't a lot of hope for the Illini here in Metro East St. Louis. Losing the junior college receiver was a big blow to the offense, although I'm sure there is a good reason for it. Illinois' best shot at winning will be the second game of the season against Middle Tennessee State. I'm still hopeful of a pleasant surprise this year."

– Nathan Huber, Fairview Heights

Record: 1-10

"Yes, the Illini will break into the win column. Without Connie Moore, anything Moore is just wishful thinking."

– Jeff Jobe, Mahomet

Record: 0-11

"Who cares about the football team when the basketball team is on the brink of something I believe to be extremely exciting?"

– Geoff Strauss, Charleston

COUNTDOWN TO WASHINGTON STATE: 6 DAYS

SERIES HIGHLIGHT: It has been 23 years since the Illini beat Washington State. Bob Blackman's team edged the Cougars 27-21 in the 1975 game at Memorial Stadium. Washington State took an early 14-0 lead on touchdown runs by Dennis Pearson and Verm Chamberlain. Bill Carney returned an interception 49 yards for the first Illini score, and Joe Smalzer tied it on an 11-yard pass from Kurt Steger. Dan Beaver's 52-yard field goal gave the Illini a 17-14 lead early in the third quarter, and Lonnie Perrin had a 68-yard touchdown run. Another Beaver field goal late in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach. Steger hit 11 of 19 passes for 129 yards. Perrin gained 158 yards on 13 runs.

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