Spring practice recap: Day 10

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Ron Zook's team continued practice Friday. A look:

TODAY’S NOTES
— What are the differences between former coach Eric Wolford and new offensive line coach Joe Gilbert?

“It’s a lot of little things,” senior guard Jon Asamoah said. “Like the things you don’t really notice. Certain techniques. Coach Wolford wanted it one way. And the first thing Coach Gilbert comes in and says is, ‘I don’t do it that way. We’re doing it this way.’ The first month or two, when we were doing drills on our own, it was rough.”

Asamoah can explain the changes best by showing you an example. Gilbert wants players to step toward a defender in a different way than Wolford.

“This simple thing has been a big change,” Asamoah said. “You want to get over there as fast as possible, but you’ve got to pace yourself and be powerful.”

Gilbert preaches technique to the linemen.

“He’s just one of the guys,” Asamoah said. “He understands us. I really like him. He’s made me a better player and he’s good to be around.”

The offensive line is working well together, Asamoah said.

“I feel comfortable no matter who is next to me,” Asamoah said. “Everybody’s comfortable. We all speak the same language.”

Having five months before the opener is important.

“Summer is when we do our hard conditioning and we get our minds right,” Asamoah said.

— With two defensive ends lost to graduation, junior Clay Nurse has an opportunity to bump his playing time.

“Those were great guys,” Nurse said. “They taught me everything, basically. I came here raw. I’ve just got to try to continue where they left off.”

One end spot is spoken for, with fifth-year senior Doug Pilcher having a good spring.

“Pilch, that’s my dude,” Nurse said. “He’s trying to continue the same tradition and teach the young guys everything he knows.”

If the team hopes to succeed in 2009, Nurse said, the defense will need to play an important role.

“Defense wins championships,” Nurse said. “I don’t care what the offense does. They can talk about them because they’re all pretty, throw the ball, run fast, jump high. Defense, we do the smacking around. We do the dirty work.”
— Illinois coach Ron Zook plans about 120 plays for Saturday’s 10 a.m. scrimmage.

“I think everybody’s excited,” Zook said. “Last week, we went up (to Chicago) and made a little progress. We’ve had an excellent week. Now, it’s going to be important that we go out there tomorrow and we’re going to get after it pretty good.”

Zook said all phases of the offense, defense and special teams will get work Saturday. He will start with a kickoff and let the offense try to move the ball.“

— During the scrimmage, inflatable games will be set up in the south end zone for kids attending the workout. After the scrimmage ends, the players and coaches will be available for autographs.

“We’ve got great kids,” Zook said. “Our guys, they enjoy doing that. They’ll do a good job.”

— For just the second time during the spring, the Illini were able to use their grass practice fields. Though the grass is brown, Zook said it is holding up well.

“That’s the Bermuda,” Zook said. “This thing last fall was as nice a field as I’ve been in anywhere. Once it warms up and stays warm, it will green up real quick.”

— Zook said tailback Troy Pollard will participate in Saturday’s scrimmage. Pollard has missed some time with a bone bruise.

Offensive lineman Jack Cornell’s status for Saturday is questionable.

“He got dinged Wednesday in the scrimmage,” Zook said. “That’s up to the doctors. They held him (Friday). They do a lot of testing when it comes to that kind of stuff.”

TODAY’S QUOTES
— “Juice (Williams) looks better than ever. He’s a different person. He even acts different toward approaching the game. He’s a leader in the locker room. We both came together as a leader and we’re taking those steps right now. The young guys listen to you. You have to be a leader on and off the field. You can’t let up,” Illinois junior receiver Arrelious Benn.

— “I don’t really feel like there’s any pressure. I’ve just got to come out and play my game. Like I said going into last week, our No. 1 focus was to have no turnovers. That’s our main mission going into this next scrimmage,” tailback Mikel Leshoure on Saturday’s workout. He had 123 yards and scored two touchdowns in last weekend’s scrimmage at Oak Park-River Forest. 

— “I think some things are going my favor in terms of being accurate with the ball. I’ve come a long way from what I was at 18 years old, having my eyes closed and throwing the ball around. I think I’ve gotten a lot better hitting the guy in stride and putting the ball where it needs to be,” quarterback Juice Williams on his progress.

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