Illini defuse bombs

CHAMPAIGN – Apparently, Washington State and Middle Tennessee State didn't get the memo. You're supposed to throw long against the Illinois defense. At least, that's the way it used to be.

In a winless 1997 season, Illinois got burned 14 times on touchdown passes of 20 yards or more. It wasn't just a defensive back slipping once or twice. It was a long ball epidemic.

The first two games of '98, the problem has disappeared.

Washington State's only touchdown from its offense came on a 12-yard pass. The Cougars had a long completion of 27 yards.

The Illini secondary did even better Saturday against Middle Tennessee, holding the ground-bound Blue Raiders to a long pass of 14 yards.

What are the Illini doing differently?

"Executing, it's that simple," coach Ron Turner said. "Guys are really playing hard. They're taking care of responsibilities."

Stopping big plays is a constant topic among the Illinois defensive backs. They don't want a repeat of the 57-, 60- and 80-yard passes thrown against them in '97.

"As a defense, you really want to stop the big plays. Big plays hurt us a season ago," cornerback Asim Pleas said. "Some offenses thrive on hitting the big play for six, especially coming out at halftime."

Pleas and his pals will see one of those offenses Saturday. Louisville's Chris Redman is sixth in the country in total offense.

Redman had three long touchdown passes in a 26-14 win against Illinois last season. All three strikes went to Ibn Green, who is again among national leaders in receiving.

"We know that Redman is an exceptional quarterback," Pleas said. "We know that Green is an exceptional receiver. Their whole receiver corps is good. We're going to emphasize staying home, reading our keys and pursuing to the ball like we do for every opponent."

No offense to Washington State's Steve Birnbaum and the three guys Middle Tennessee threw at the Illini, but Redman is the best quarterback they've seen.

"I don't see anybody that we're playing having a guy better than this guy," Turner said.

Turner expects Redman to try his luck against the Illini. A lot.

"They're a big-play team," Turner said. "He's a great, great quarterback. They've got some real good team speed. They'll be throwing the ball all over the place."

It doesn't matter to Turner whether teams try to run or throw against his Illini.

"Whatever a team's strengths are, that's what we have to defend, that's what we have to try to take away," Turner said. "I think we can handle both. Either way we're fine."

Home movies

Turner said he enjoyed going through the game tape. For one thing, he saw a win for the first time in his Illinois career.

"The biggest thing we talked about was playing with emotion and flying around," Turner said. "Guys did that. Bodies were flying all over the place."

It wasn't all good. The Illini had six turnovers. Mark Hoekstra had four interceptions, and Illinois fumbled twice.

Turner liked the way his players reacted to the trouble.

"Nobody ever got down and nobody ever started pointing fingers," Turner said. "The defense was tired and all of the sudden had to go back on the field again. Nobody complained. They ran onto the field with the attitude, 'That's OK. We'll stop them.' That's good to see."

Staying put

Despite throwing almost as many interceptions as completions, Hoekstra's starting spot is secure.

"He's our quarterback, and we're going with him," Turner said. "I've got a lot of confidence in Mark."

Hoekstra wasn't down after the game, Turner said.

"He's a team player, and we got a win," Turner said. "That's the name of the game. He knows he's got to play better. He'll come back and he'll focus and he'll prepare himself well."

Injury list

Linebacker Eric Guenther will return to practice Tuesday, Turner said. Running back Jameel Cook also will return.

Defensive end Fred Wakefield, who missed the first two games with a virus, likely is out for the Louisville game. Wakefield hasn't been cleared to return to practice.

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