Illini dropping fast
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The feel-good Rose Bowl story of two years ago is a fading memory. Ron Zook's Illinois football program might be running out of time.
Indiana delivered the latest blow, scoring a 27-14 win on a chilly Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
"Obviously, it's a results-oriented business," Zook said. "There's not a whole lot I can say. We're not producing. We're not playing the way we're capable of playing. We're better than we're playing. That's got to fall on all of us, but obviously it falls on me."
Zook said he is worried "a little bit" about keeping his players together.
"One thing I promised them, the coaches ain't going to quit, we're going to keep going," Zook said. "I think we'll know if anybody does quit. I don't think they will.
"They're looking at us for answers."
Illinois had its share of chances. In fact, late in the third quarter it appeared the Illini were about to take the lead. But on second down at the Indiana 5, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams fumbled. Indiana defensive back Ray Fisher scooped the ball and went 26 yards, moving the Hoosiers offense safely away from the end zone.
"You can't have turnovers," Zook said. "It's the first serious problem we've had with turnovers this year. The one there was probably a 14-point swing."
Ben Chappell did the rest. After using Darius Willis to move the ball to the Illinois 44, Chappell found a wide-open Tandon Doss for a touchdown with 12:55 left. Nick Freeland's extra point made it 20-7.
Zook, now 19-35 in his fifth season at Illinois, is two losses away from his fourth losing year at the school.
"If we've got to change people, we'll change people," Zook said.
Some have questioned Zook's future at the school and the cries will only get louder after his third loss to Indiana in five tries.
Indiana dominated the game statistically, running up 482 yards. Chappell recorded the second 300-yard game of his Indiana career, finishing with 333.
After Chappell's touchdown, Williams fumbled on the next Illinois drive, sealing the game for the Hoosiers.
"I feel bad for Juice," Zook said. "He is a great kid. He's worked awful hard and things aren't working for him right now either."
Illinois safety Donsay Hardeman was carted off on a stretcher midway through the second quarter. Two plays later, the Hoosiers scored the first points of the game on Nick Freeland's 35-yard field goal. Freeland had missed two earlier kicks.
Illinois took the lead on its next series. Williams completed an 80-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Jenkins with 5:27 left in the first half. It was the first touchdown by the Illini in a first half against Division I-A teams. Previously, the team had kicked only field goals.
Doss fumbled the ensuing kick return after a hit by Nate Bussey. Illini kicker Derek Dimke recovered the ball at the Indiana 29.
The Illini moved to the Indiana 17, but a third-down sack ended the drive. Matt Eller missed a 37-yard field goal.
Indiana regained the lead with its own 80-yard drive. Chappell did most of the work, completing passes for 13, 7, 12, 15 and 4 to move to the Illinois 29. On third down, Chappell connected with Damarlo Belcher, who found a hole in the defense and reached the end zone with 55 seconds left.
The Hoosiers weren't done scoring. After a quick Illinois drive, Indiana took over at its 42. They moved to the Illinois 20 before settling for Freeland's 37-yard field goal.
The Hoosiers gained 317 yards in the first half to Illinois' 181. Chappell hit 17 of 30 passes for 236 yards. Williams was 8 of 14 for 112 yards.
Champaign's Mikel Leshoure started at tailback and gained 78 yards on 12 carries. He left the game early with a sprained ankle.
STORY OF THE GAME
It doesn't take a top-tier Big Ten team to beat Illinois. A week after losing at Virginia by 40, Indiana overwhelmed Ron Zook's team on a chilly homecoming night. Illinois now has lost eight consecutive games against I-A schools, the last win coming against Iowa in 2008. Going back to Juice Williams as the starter didn't help Illinois, with Williams fumbling at a critical point in the third quarter.
NUMBERS GAME
23-16
That's the combined record of Illinois' six remaining opponents. That includes 6-0 Cincinnati, which might be playing for a spot in the BCS title game when Illinois visits the day after Thanksgiving. The most winnable games, if such a thing exists for the Illini, are against Northwestern and Fresno State.
WHAT IT MEANS
You might be down to counting games left in the Ron Zook era. Athletic director Ron Guenther can't be happy with the latest loss. Like when he lost at Mississippi State while at Florida, the Indiana game could be the last straw for the school's administration. This was supposed to be the easy game on the schedule after a difficult start.
WHAT'S NEXT
A game against Purdue that looked a lot easier a day ago. The Boilermakers, who had played well in near upsets against Oregon and Notre Dame, finally pulled it off Saturday. The defense forced five Ohio State turnovers and Joey Elliott managed the offense in a 26-18 win against the Buckeyes. Danny Hope's team should be brimming with confidence when the Illini arrive Saturday.
Comments
Why would any rationale Illini fan root for a victory the rest of the year? Even with 1 more win, I shudder to think that Guenther would keep Zook for 2010. We need to hit the depths, which will hopefully force Guenther's hand. Now, if Herman would only get off of his arse and do his job by firing Guenther.
Posted by IlliniHimey on October 17, 2009 at 11:44 PM | Suggest Removal
IlliniHimey, you are a horrible fan. You never root for your team to lose. I would rather see this team get its act together and Zook succeed then see them blow it just so we can fire someone. Fans like you make me sick...
Posted by ChiefIlliniwek4 on October 18, 2009 at 2:19 AM | Suggest Removal
I wished so hard for Ron Zook to succeed, but the Indiana loss has pushed me over to FireRonZook,com side. The failure by Coach Zook to hire competent defensive and offensive coordinators has doomed his regime. You have a defense that absolutely doesn't know what to do and an offensive coordinator that doesn't understand that the goal of football is to SCORE POINTS. Mike Schultz' predictable dink-and-dunk, unimaginative play-calling and apparent disdane for scoring quickly brings back unfortunate memories of the "I hate offense" Lou Tepper years. If the only way to get Mallory, Disch and Schultz to go is for Coach Zook to go, I'm all for it . . . .
Posted by peterborich on October 18, 2009 at 2:38 AM | Suggest Removal
The facts to change out the staff including RG are clear, and have been for weeks. Fans need to keep pressuring for change and not let personal attacks on this site stop them.
Posted by TotalIlliniFan on October 18, 2009 at 6:45 AM | Suggest Removal
I'm absolutely supportive of ChiefIllinwek4. Himey is a disgusting embarrassment as a fan.
Having said that, I believe a coaching change is necessary. Has anyone noticed we haven't beaten a D1 team since losing to W. Michigan last year? That loss, I believe, began a skid the team has yet to pull out of, and I believe that, in turn is on the coaches.
But to openly root for Illinois to lose is disgusting. But considering the source it doesn't surprise me that it was said.
Posted by jeffh on October 18, 2009 at 8:41 AM | Suggest Removal
Wow. I am really hurt with the comments directed to me from jeffh and Chiefilliniwek4. I think I might cry.
OK, I am over it.
Yep, I am a bad fan. I need to accept that Ron Guenther is a great AD, that Ron Zook will right the ship, and that rooting for victories this year will somehow help Illini football in the long run.
FOLKS: This is why people create FireRonZook.com websites. They don't want to see success with the current coaching staff!!!!! As long as he keeps losing, the sooner half-brained Ron Guenther will have to make a call on the coaching front. AND (drum roll, please), this should also help the exodus of "America's gift to the AD world", Ron Guenther.
If you don't like what I have to say on here, you should read what I fired off to Ron Guenther, Richard Herman, and Stanley Ikenberry last night.
Posted by IlliniHimey on October 18, 2009 at 9:41 AM | Suggest Removal
I'm surprised I'm not hearing more complaints about Mike Schultz, the new offensive coordinator. He was supposed to be an offensive guru. Instead he's turned talented experienced players into a bunch of football zombies.
That high-powered offense Schultz ran at TCU last year? Well, it's still pretty high-powered (34 points per game), and the Horned Frogs are 6-0 and were ranked #8 in the USA Today poll last week. TCU seems to be doing just fine without Schultz, thank you.
Posted by bernies on October 18, 2009 at 10:46 AM | Suggest Removal
I think that if there were no sites like this to whine people like himey might go insane werent you the one who was cheering and thought zook was the greatest when things were good and now since they havent you just cant wait to complain, There is no place available for fairweather fans!
Posted by hardcorefan on October 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM | Suggest Removal
I can totally see where Himey is coming from. What will it take for the admin to wake up and take action, I have thought the same thing myself and thought that by losing out it might wake them up, hate to see it for the kids but something has to change and sooner versus later!
Posted by 98mba on October 18, 2009 at 1:51 PM | Suggest Removal
And what becomes of sent emails to RG, Herman and Ike? After 3 sentences...I can picture them clicking "delete".
Posted by ILLINIAJ on October 18, 2009 at 2:15 PM | Suggest Removal
I, like others, still think that the players can do better. They have to realize that playing football is hard work that requires advanced thinking skills. The coaches also need to realize that they need to instill in their players an authentic belief that they can do better and to play smart for the rest of the 2009 football season. If anything, the message to them should be positive. I wouldn't give up on Coach Zook, his staff and the platers just yet. The team has young talent that may be up to playing well in the rest of the games this season and beyond. I don't think that Coach Zook should be fired after this season; that would be a mistake if it were to happen. Smarter heads should prevail and let next seasnon be the one where everything gets better under Mr. Zook's leadership with his players first and foremost, then his staff and so forth. Go Illini!!!!!
Posted by kfj on October 18, 2009 at 5:09 PM | Suggest Removal
p.s. one typo above: the word "platers" should be "players".
Posted by kfj on October 18, 2009 at 5:11 PM | Suggest Removal
I'm not supporting this coaching staff, and I'm not saying things to try and hurt your feelings Himey. I am very dissapointed in this year, I too am a season ticket holder who demands more for my money, but I will never root for my team to give it up and lose everything just to get someone fired. I would rather Zook succeed with a philosophy I don't agree with then lose just to proove a point.Zook is a good person, and I feel sorry for him that this is not working.
We have to remember that this is another human being, regaurdless of his success, he should be treated like a human being. Maybe it is time for him and his staff to move on, but that does not give us the right to attack him personally.
Posted by ChiefIlliniwek4 on October 18, 2009 at 11:21 PM | Suggest Removal
Folks, the emotions have definitely been flowing when it comes to this season, and I think that's good beacuse this program needs an injection of pride and pressure at the same time... We as fans shouldn't be willing be accept mediocrity, or even worse, humiliation when it comes to ILL football... Like the Florida's, Ohio St and USC's of college football, we deserve better than what were getting... Other teams in the Big Ten have found ways to compete in the last 10 or so years, ie Iowa, Purdue, Minn etc... Let's not forget that this sport still comes down to results, good guy or not... Our reslts for the last 15 years or so have been horrid!!! And one last thought, Zook is the one starting to give up I believe... For those who were still tuned at the end of the Indiana game, ILL had 1st and goal inside the ten with 2 timeouts remaining down only 13, and Zook already had is headsets off and arms folded... You never finish a game with timeouts in the bank when your trying to draw closer, quick score and an onside kick later, who knows... Never give up!!!
Posted by pugs73 on October 21, 2009 at 5:46 AM | Suggest Removal
Sorry, "because" above, not beacuse...
Posted by pugs73 on October 21, 2009 at 5:47 AM | Suggest Removal
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