WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – It didn't get any easier for Ron Turner's idle Illini Saturday.

CHAMPAIGN – One-hundred miles east of here, first-year coach Joe Tiller works with a 4-1 Purdue team.

Eight hours north and west, first-year coach Glen Mason holds a 2-4 record at Minnesota.

Three hours south and east, first-year coach Cam Cameron already has a win. OK, it came against Ball State, but it still counts.

Of the Big Ten’s four new coaches, only Illinois’ Ron Turner hasn’t put a game in the left-hand column. The 0-6 start isn’t what Turner had in mind.

CHAMPAIGN – Twelve days.

Enough time to finish a World Series. Enough time to whip a bout of the chicken pox. Enough time for that trip to Ireland you’ve been putting off.

But, is 12 days enough time to fix the University of Illinois football team?

MADISON, Wis. – Illinois' dimly lit candle flickered and brightened briefly before being snuffed out at midgame in Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.

Seeing the UI score on Steve Havard's 17-yard dash with 2:12 showing in the half, 79,000-plus Badger fans had one thought as the scoreboard read 14-7:

Could Wisconsin retaliate before intermission?

   FORT SMITH, Ark.  Festus Hawkins is coming back to the University of Illinois, his coach said this morning.

MADISON, Wis. – Looks like Brian Sheard needs to work on his Mike Samuel impersonation.

All week, Illinois quarterback Sheard mimicked the Wisconsin starter in practice. He ran the option. He tucked the ball under. He played keepaway with the Illini defense.

MADISON, Wis. – Mop-up time at Wisconsin means Scott Kavanagh at quarterback.

Illinois starter Tim Lavery watched his high school rival go in midway through the fourth quarter. The two played against each other in Naperville. Lavery usually won.

MADISON, Wis. – Robert Holcombe never had a chance.

Coming off a school record four consecutive 100-yard games, the Illini senior from Mesa, Ariz., carried high hopes into Saturday's clash with Wisconsin's human bowling ball, Ron Dayne.