Redman''s the man for Cardinals

CHAMPAIGN – The go-to guy.

He's easy enough to spot. Look in the media guide for the biggest player section and you'll usually find him. Usually.

For Washington State, it was receiver Nian Taylor. For Middle Tennessee State, it was Torin Kirtsey.

The Illinois defense handled them both. Well, almost handled.

Cougar receiver Taylor had 45 yards against the Illini. But he made three players miss on a 12-yard touchdown play.

Blue Raiders running back Kirtsey never had a chance. With Middle Tennessee starting a freshman quarterback, Illinois loaded up for the run. Kirtsey gained 17 yards on 12 carries. Most of the yardage came on a 9-yard play.

So, you'd think the Illini defense would be feeling pretty good. Until it sees today's go-to guy. It's a quarterback, Chris Redman, and the UI might not play a better one all season.

"He's going to hit some passes on us," Illinois defensive coordinator Tim Kish said. "We can't give up a big play in there."

Go-to players make big plays. So far, that hasn't happened against Kish's defense.

The only touchdown for Washington State's offense came on Taylor's clever catch and run. Middle Tennessee scored its two touchdowns on interception and kickoff returns.

"I think we have a chance to be pretty good (on defense)," Illinois coach Ron Turner said. "We're playing with a lot of confidence right now."

Why so much better? Start with experience. Most of the starters are back from '97. And they know what they're doing.

"We're taking a lot of the thinking away from them because it's the second year," Turner said.

It won't be easy for the Illinois defense to keep its confidence against Redman. He is among the national leaders in total offense.

"It's going to be a big challenge," Turner said. "Last year, they won the game primarily because of big plays they made. We've done a great job in the first two games of eliminating or minimizing big plays. We have to do the same thing this week. We cannot let their speed receivers and Redman get hot and make big plays on us."

Starting over

When Louisville changed coaches after last season, it also meant a new offense.

More responsibility for Redman. The junior likes the extra work.

"We throw it around a lot," Redman said. "I get to go with what I see."

Redman isn't worried about crowd reaction for his return to Memorial Stadium. He barely knows any of the Illini players.

"It's not like a big grudge match," Redman said.

Though Redman won't seem familiar, Louisville's offense will. The Cardinals offense is similar to Washington State's, Kish said. The Illini defenders should be better prepared for the Cardinals after the trip to Pullman.

New coach John L. Smith figured out quickly that Redman was his go-to guy. Now, Smith wants to find him some helpers.

Arnold Jackson is trying. He leads the team in receptions. Illini fans might remember him for a long punt return touchdown in last year's game.

The Louisville running game hasn't done much. Minnesota transfer Rafael Cooper is back in the good graces of the administration after being suspended last season. He leads the team with 108 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Craig Gotcher also is back from a yearlong suspension.

"They've done everything I've asked them to do," Smith said. "They've not been a problem at all."

No-to guy

Though it's easy to pick out Louisville's star, it's a bit tougher when you turn to the Illini.

Running back Steve Havard went over 100 yards in the first two games. Freshman running back Rocky Harvey had 215 against Middle Tennessee State.

Harvey wouldn't have had the huge game if Jameel Cook was healthy. He sat out against the Blue Raiders with turf toe. The power of competition got him back on the field in a hurry.

The Illinois coaches want to use all three backs as much as they can. Expect to see Havard spending time at fullback, with Harvey and Cook splitting carries behind him.

Harvey's also going to take a whack at returning punts and kicks. He replaced Terrance Smalls on the punt team.

Most schools wanted Harvey as a receiver. Turner always considered him a running back.

"When we watched Rocky (on tape), to us there wasn't a whole lot to talk about," Turner said. "Every one of us looked at it and said, 'The guy's a football player. The guy's a running back.' He's strong, he's quick, he's got unbelievable balance."

Turner knows he's covered at running back. Next, he wants his quarterback to play better. Mark Hoekstra struggled in the Middle Tennessee game and was intercepted four times.

The coaches didn't dwell on Hoekstra's showing after the game. The team just had ended an 18-game losing streak, so why worry about the negative?

Reality hit when they looked at the tape. Turner hopes it was just "one of those nights."

Hoekstra needs to improve to keep his job. The coaches killed the idea of redshirting Kurt Kittner when they put him in for the final play against Middle Tennessee.

The move sent a message to Hoekstra and Kittner. It told Kittner to get ready to play. And it told Hoekstra he has some immediate competition.

Turner wants more production from the quarterback, whoever it is. Illinois is last in the Big Ten in passing offense.

"We're not going to be able to run the ball for 391 yards every game," Turner said. "We're going to have to pick it up in the passing game and have more balance."

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