Zook won't stew over bowl prospects

Click here for video highlights from Ohio State game

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois coach Ron Zook won't spend a second thinking about his team's bowl scenarios this week.

"It doesn't make any difference to worry about them," Zook said. "Unless you win, it makes no difference. The only thing we can do is win, and then there's no guarantee. That's the only thing we can do to help that scenario."

Zook talked to his staff Sunday about what needs to happen this week and about what has gone wrong.

"What's the difference in how we feel right now and how we were after the Penn State game?" Zook said. "I really believe this that we're a better football team right now than we were then.

"Now, this football team, we're not where we want to be, obviously. We've still got a game to go. It's a big, big game. It's a rivalry game. It's going to be important that we're ready to go."

Penalty phase. On Sunday, Zook was still trying to figure out a late hit penalty called against Donsay Hardeman on Saturday.

The fourth-quarter penalty allowed Ohio State to continue a drive that eventually led to a touchdown. Zook was upset with the call at the time.

"I didn't see anything different (on tape)," Zook said.

Would Zook have thrown a flag on the play?

"If I'm the official, no," Zook said. "But I'm not the official. Those guys have a hard job. It's a bang, bang thing."

Turnover troubles. Juice Williams threw his 15th interception of the season Saturday, including eight in the last four games. Only two others ranked among the nation's Top 100 quarterbacks have thrown more interceptions.

"No, there's not a common theme," Zook said. "Obviously, we cannot turn the ball over. It doesn't matter who's fault it is, we can't do it. That's the thing that gets frustrating sometimes. It would be easy if we could pinpoint it, 'Well, it's all the quarterback' or 'It's all the receiver.' When things aren't going right, you have to fight through it and stay positive."

Big turnout. Zook said he was surprised at the number of players who were at the football office Sunday. The players were going over game film, trying to figure out what went wrong against Ohio State.

"It's important to them, too," Zook said. "They're trying to get something fixed. They're trying to get it done. They're not supposed to be happy. They're not supposed to be content with what's going on. As long as you've got guys who are trying to work to fix it, then I think there's still plenty of hope."

Poll position. Coming off Saturday's win at Michigan, 8-3 Northwestern moved back into the USA Today Coaches' Top 25 at No. 24. The Wildcats remain unranked in the Associated Press Top 25 but received 44 points, good for 27th.

Aches, pains. Defensive lineman Josh Brent suffered a sprained knee against the Buckeyes. Zook said Sunday that Brent was improving.

"We won't bang him around much on Monday and Tuesday," Zook said. "He was a lot better than they thought he'd be."

Backup quarterback/receiver Eddie McGee re-aggravated a turf toe injury. He is expected to be ready for the Northwestern game.

Ex-files. A pair of former Illini helped the Indianapolis Tornados win the NAFL1 title Saturday in Atlanta.

Morris Virgil and Matt Minnes, both of Urbana, played a part in a 45-35 win against San Diego. Virgil ran for 112 yards, including a 27-yard score. Minnes is the team's punter.

Indianapolis finished the season 14-2.

 

Review of Ohio State

Every game has a defining moment when the outcome is established. Here is the play from Saturday's Illinois-Ohio State game:

THE SITUATION

The game is tied 7-7 late in the first quarter. After being stopped by the Illinois defense at the Illini 36, Ohio State punter A.J. Trapasso has dropped a punt at the Illinois 8. Two short runs push the ball to the Illinois 14 and on third down, Juice Williams' pass to Michael Hoomanawanui falls incomplete.

THE PLAY

With the Illinois defense playing well against the Buckeyes, the Illini are hoping a deep punt will allow them to force a three-and-out. But punting into the wind isn't going to be easy for Anthony Santella. He had done fine on his first boot, a 43-yarder pinning the Buckeyes back at their own 17. But he is deeper in his own end, adding to the pressure of the situation.

THE RESULT

The Buckeyes send their normal punt rush after Santella, who is standing near the end zone. But one of the blocks is missed against superstar cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, who gets a clean shot at the ball after racing in from far outside. The combination of the missed block and a slow get off by Santella creates disaster for the Illini. Jenkins blocks the ball out of the end zone for a safety. The Illini are actually fortunate that the ball didn't stay in play for a possible Ohio State touchdown.

THE OUTCOME

The 9-7 lead quickly becomes 16-7 when Santella's free kick goes just 34 yards and is returned to the Illinois 43. The Buckeyes score five plays later. The lead balloons to 23-7 and the Buckeyes cruise to a 30-20 victory. Ohio State keeps Illinois from beating it in consecutive games and continues its own Memorial Stadium streak that stretches back to 1991. The Buckeyes continue their march toward a BCS berth and at least a share of the Big Ten title.

THE RECORD (5-6)

Missouri 52 Illinois 42

Illinois 47 Eastern Illinois 21

Illinois 20 La.-Lafayette 17

Penn State 38 Illinois 24

Illinois 45 Michigan 20

Minnesota 27 Illinois 20

Illinois 55 Indiana 13

Wisconsin 27 Illinois 17

Illinois 27 Iowa 24

Western Mich. 23 Illinois 17

Ohio State 30 Illinois 20

Sat. at N'western, 2:30 p.m.

 

Preview of Northwestern

Illinois travels for its final regular season game, playing rival Northwestern in Evanston. A quick read on the Wildcats:

LAST GAME

Northwestern added to Michigan's woeful season, rallying for a 21-14 win at Ann Arbor. C.J. Bacher came in for an injured Mike Kafka and threw two touchdowns. The winner was a 53-yarder to two-time News-Gazette All-Stater Eric Peterman in the third quarter. Bacher, who has been out with his own injury problems, threw a pair of interceptions.

WHO TO WATCH

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was recently picked for the College Football Hall of Fame and looks like he could still go out and stuff a running back into the ground. Fitzgerald is animated and youthful. He has helped the Wildcats get back into the bowl business and his team has a chance for a New Year's Day game with a win against Illinois.

WHERE TO WATCH

It's back to the Big Ten Network, which has a rare 2:30 slot because of the early national broadcast of Michigan-Ohio State. UI-Northwestern will air opposite ABC's Michigan State-Penn State game, which has Big Ten title ramifications. Don't be surprised if former Illini J Leman is at the game, working for the Big Ten Network.

REASON TO WATCH

Illinois needs a victory to get back to the postseason. With a win against the Wildcats, coupled with an Ohio State win against Michigan, the Illini would be virtually assured of a bowl bid. Northwestern would like nothing better than to knock the Illini out of a bowl while regaining the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Wildcats have been winning the close ones this season. In games decided by 10 points or less, Northwestern is 5-1. The lone loss was a 21-19 game at Indiana. Unlike Northwestern, Illinois is struggling in close games, going 2-5.

THE RECORD (8-3)

N'western 30 Syracuse 10

N'western 24 Duke 20

N'western 33 SIU 7

N'western 16 Ohio 8

N'western 22 Iowa 17

Mich. St. 37 N'western 20

N'western 48 Purdue 26

Indiana 21 N'western 19

N'western 24 Minnesota 17

Ohio State 45 N'western 10

N'western 21 Michigan 14

Saturday vs. UI, 2:30 p.m.

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