Watch highlights from Saturday's victory.
CHAMPAIGN – Jacob Charest could be getting his first college start Saturday against Northwestern.
The status of starting quarterback Juice Williams, who injured his left ankle at Minnesota, remains "day to day," Illinois coach Ron Zook said Sunday.
"They don't feel like it's quite as bad as they originally thought," Zook said. "We'll just see how he progresses throughout the week."
Zook said Williams is questionable for Saturday's game Northwestern.
Charest replaced Williams in the second quarter against Minnesota. He hit 10 of 19 passes for 185 yards and his first touchdown.
"I thought Jacob played extremely well and I'm very proud of him," Zook said. "I thought everybody stepped up. That's the game. Everybody's losing players. Iowa lost their guy."
With Williams questionable, Charest will be preparing to start and Eddie McGee will work as his backup.
"We'll be able to do some different things with both of them on the field," Zook said.
Williams was off to a good start before suffering the injury, completing 5 of 5 passes on Illinois' opening touchdown drive.
Williams fumbled on the play when he suffered his injury.
"I got on him on the bus about the fumble," Zook said. "He said, 'Coach, I've never felt pain like that.' And I said, 'It doesn't matter.' "
Mr. Touchdown. Terry Hawthorne scored his first college touchdown against the Gophers, intercepting Adam Weber's pass and returning it 44 yards for a touchdown.
"I'd like to have one a week," Zook said. "I told him this morning in the training room, 'You're 2 for 2. You had a big play in your first start and had a big play Saturday. Let's see if you can get a big play next week.' "
Each week, Zook sees Hawthorne becoming more relaxed, comfortable and confident.
Nursing school. Junior defensive end Clay Nurse, who had four sacks Saturday, got plenty of help from the Illinois defensive tackles.
"Josh Brent had a heckuva game as well," Zook said. "That's the way things got started. Josh's first half in particular, he was unbelievable and they started worrying about him. And that loosens up the corner for Clay."
Block party. That's two blocked punts in two weeks against Illinois. Against Michigan, it didn't cost the Illini. Against Minnesota, it meant a touchdown for the Gophers.
"I'm not making excuses, but in the Michigan game, we were down to our fourth-team fullback," Zook said. "(Saturday), the snapper pulled the punter over about a half a yard and that's all that it took. Everything's got to be right behind where the shield is."
Hard to hold. Illinois receiver/tight end Jeff Cumberland had two dropped passes Saturday.
"That's not what he sees himself doing," Zook said. "We just talked about that a little bit in the staff meeting.
"He has done some good things, some great things. He has to catch the ball though."
Off the mark. Matt Eller's kicking struggles continued at Minnesota, the sophomore missing a 45-yard field goal try. Eller has missed 6 of 10 attempts this season.
Zook said there is a competition in practice between Eller and Derek Dimke.
"During the week, Matt's been the guy that's walked away with it," Zook said. "On the same token, you get to the point in time now where we've got to make them in the game."
Aches and pains. Zook said he hopes tight end Michael Hoomanawanui will return for the Northwestern game. The senior is recovering from an ankle injury.
"I'd have to list (Hoomanawanui) as probable," Zook said.
Backup tight end Hubie Graham missed Saturday's game because of the death of his grandmother. He will be back with the team later in the week.
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