http://www.illinihq.com/news/football Latest Illini sports stories for IlliniHQ.com en-us Copyright 2009, The News-Gazette, Inc. http://www.illinihq.com/news/rss Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:46:55 PST <p> <p><strong>Illinois 28, Minnesota 10, end of the third quarter:</strong></p> <p>The Gophers are on another march at the end of the quarter, but are hurting themselves with drops and missed blocks. Adam Weber has run six times for minus-47 yards, a number that won't lead to many wins.</p> </p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/07/live_from_minneapolis/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>MINNEAPOLIS – One more loss and the bowl bid goes away. Then what for the Illinois football team?</p> <p>Moping doesn't do you much good. Getting angry at everyone won't help either. So, they look for a model. And follow it. Like Mack Brown.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/07/its_game_day_illinois_still_has_plenty_to_play_for/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Bob Asmussen's news and notes from Friday afternoon in Minneapolis</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/final_word_new_stadium_is_nice/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>This week, HQ recruiting expert Jeremy Werner analyzed where Illinois stood with the prep football stars still looking for a school.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/illinois_football_recruiting_a_midseason_checkup_defense/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Someone has to win it.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/give_us_your_illinois_football_mvp/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Will Tim Brewster overprepare for the Illini?</strong></p> <p>Probably. Though he might not admit it this week, the game means more to the former Illini tight end than any other. He was interested in being the Illinois coach. When that didn't happen, he found a nice job in the Big Ten. As long as he coaches the Gophers, the game against Illinois will be a big deal to the players and the staff. Unfortunately, after next year's game, the teams will take a two-year break.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/ui-minnesota_5_keys/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>NDIANAPOLIS — Veteran Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden, a former Illini, is expected to be sidelined for the next three to four weeks after he suffered a sprained knee during the 18-14 win against San Francisco.</p> <p>Hayden is not expected to undergo surgery.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/colts_hayden_out_close_to_month/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico changed its human resources policies in the wake of an altercation involving football coach Mike Locksley.<br /> University President David Schmidly said Friday that personnel issues previously handled by the athletic department now must go through the school’s Division of Human Resources.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/new_mexico_changes_policy/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>When's Minnesota going to tear down that dump Williams Arena?</strong></p> <p>Why not ask when Minnesota is going to close all its lakes, disown Garrison Keillor and burn its hockey sticks? Williams Arena is an icon. Would you tear down the Alma Mater? Or Papa Del's? It's the Barn, my friend. It's the raised court. It's the history. Is it a little dated? Perhaps. But it's on campus – and at least it's not the Metrodome.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/inside_minnesota_locker_rooms_the_size_of_decatur/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>His old school is kicking butt and taking names.</p> <p>This year, TCU must stand for Texans Confidentially Undefeated or Totally Cruising Underdogs.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/asmussen_no_regrets_for_schultz/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>News-Gazette Top 25</p> <p>After a long break, The News-Gazette again is voting in The Associated Press poll. Here are the teams staff writer Bob Asmussen rates as the nation's best:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/asmussens_insider_ncaa_football_2010_says_minnesota_45_illinois_14/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Q: Like Hammer sings, are you too legit, too legit to quit?</p> <p>A: I hear that almost every day in practice. The coaches, the players and even some of the students when I'm going to class.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/qa_with_corey_liuget/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Had Illinois played all season the way it did against Michigan, it would be the pick here. But last Saturday's win might not be the start of a trend. Weber has another big game and the Gophers hold on for a 35-28 victory. (N-G record: 5-3).</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/06/hq_prediction_minnesota_35-28/ Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>What happens first, the Vikings winning a Super Bowl or the Gophers winning a national championship?</strong></p> <p>That's a tough one. I would say it's almost 50-50 but I'd have to lean to the Vikings because they have Brett Favre. They could maybe do it this year with some luck along the way. With the coaching staff they have, and the way they're recruiting these days, the (Gophers) are going to have a chance pretty soon.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/05/10_questions_for_darrell_thompson/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Making the cover of Sports Illustrated isn't always a good thing, jinx experts will tell you. So it's no surprise some Iowa fans are nervous to see Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Wade Leppert on the cover of this week's SI. My question: Since SI started regionalizing its covers, does the notion of a jinx still float? After all, Iowa made the cover on SIs distributed in only nine Midwestern states (including Illinois). Derek Jeter is the cover boy in 41 states.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/05/jim_rossows_big_ten_football_report_si_jinx_for_iowa/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>For the next two days, HQ recruiting expert Jeremy Werner will analyze where Illinois stands with the prep football stars still looking for a school.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/04/illinois_football_recruiting_a_midseason_checkup/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Notre Dame vs. Boise State</strong></p> <p>We were all set to put Penn State in this spot. But what happens if Ohio State beats the Nittany Lions this weekend, then loses at Michigan State in the season finale? Then, it's off to the Capital One Bowl for JoePa. Which leaves an open spot in the BCS for the Irish. But only if they win the rest of their games to get to 10-2. That means winning at Pitt and Stanford. Possible.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/04/bobs_bowl_forecast_notre_dame_in_the_fiesta/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico President David Schmidly said Wednesday an attorney representing an assistant football coach sent a letter offering “continued media silence” for a $500,000 settlement in a dispute with head football coach Mike Locksley.<br /> Schmidly said the overture was rejected.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/04/new_mexico_rejects_settlement_offer/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Staff writer Bob Asmussen's weekly look at the game he loves:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/04/asmussens_insider_kiffin_vols_get_job_done/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – Josh Brent, the UI's large defensive tackle from Bloomington, spoke honestly about a confusing football season: "I can't put a finger on why we weren't winning, and I don't know what happened Saturday because we didn't really change anything (in defeating Michigan)."</p> <p>Confusing? Well, consider that Minnesota drew a Big Ten-record 17 penalties Saturday and, calling up reserves to replace injured star Eric Decker, produced 416 aerial yards to rock Michigan State 42-34. Adam Weber fired five TD passes, matching Juice Williams' total for the season, with three of them coming from 62, 59 and 37 yards.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/04/offense_surge_out_of_thin_air/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.</p> <p>Today: Danny Clark goes shopping in New York City.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/03/youtube_and_the_illini/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota defensive back Michael Carter will be allowed to play against Illinois despite his arrest this week outside a campus pizza parlor.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/03/despite_arrest_gopher_will_play_against_illinois/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Legend celebrates No. 78</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/03/happy_birthday_to_loren/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p> MINNEAPOLIS — The ball bounced off tight end Nick Tow-Arnett's chest and into the air, landing right in the hands of running back Duane Bennett.<br /> As Bennett raced the final 35 yards for a 59-yard touchdown pass, Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber had to smile and shrug. For perhaps the first time in what he calls a frustrating season, the ball finally bounced his way.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/03/things_starting_to_bounce_webers_way/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers signed rookie linebacker James Holt from the practice squad to fill the roster spot created when receiver Chris Chambers was released.</p> <p>The Chargers signed former Illini linebacker J Leman to the practice squad.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/03/chargers_sign_leman_to_practice_squad/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The point to remember today is that one game does not a crisis avert. Not when it came against an opponent also drowning in turmoil. In case you missed it, Michigan is 3-10 in Big Ten play under Rich Rodriguez.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/02/tate_bowl_bid_get_serious_folks/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A 4-0 finish makes Illinois bowl eligible. However, the Illini will be underdogs in at least two of their final four games.</p> <p>Tell us how you have them finishing here</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/02/how_will_zooks_illini_finish/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Billy Gillispie guilty of driving under the influence</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/02/former_illini_assistant_pleads_guilty/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – The e-mails were easier to open for Ron Zook on Sunday. Much less likely they would start with some kind of nasty remark. More like "Congratulations."</p> <p>"There have been a lot of e-mails," the Illinois coach said during his Sunday teleconference. "I've been getting a lot of e-mails regardless, both win and lose. They've just been a little bit nicer now."</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/01/fans_go_easier_on_zook_after_win/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A look at this week's football polls — and how Bob Asmussen voted and why</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/01/bobs_top_25/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Bob Asmussen looks back to Saturday's win against Michigan and ahead to Illinois' trip to Minnesota.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/01/asmussens_review-preview/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A look at how former Illini fared in the NFL in Week 8</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/01/former_illini_in_nfl_week_8/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – Rich Rodriguez stopped by Saturday and took Ron Zook's "hot seat" back to Ann Arbor with him.</p> <p>It's an old story. No matter how serious your problems, someone else is worse off.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/01/tate_this_was_a_reversal_of_illini_fortunes/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>On this date in Illini history</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/11/01/illini_legends_lists_lore/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Rundown by cornerback sets up Illinois win</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/hawthorne_saves_illini_day/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – The losses have come in all shapes and sizes.</p> <p>Some close (eight decided by a touchdown or less). Some blowouts (margins of 57, 32, 28 and 24 twice). Some controversial (Bill LeMonnier and crew's blown fumble calls in 2000).</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/illini_tricked_rarely_treated_against_michigan/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>FINAL: Illinois 38, Michigan 13</strong></p> <p>CHAMPAIGN -- It looked like an easy touchdown. Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree had about a 10-yard lead on the defense. But Terry Hawthorne didn't quit. The Illinois freshman dragged down Roundtree at the 1, setting up one of the most unbelievable turnarounds in Illinois football history.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/live_from_memorial_stadium/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Got a question? Ask beat writer Bob Asmussen after the game. His chat starts at 7:30 p.m.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/ask_asmussen/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Give us your grade</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/grade_the_illini/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Marcus Jackson's take on Saturday's victory</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/further_review/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>LOOKING BAD: Michigan. Oh, my. September must seem like so long ago for Rich Rodriguez and the once-promising Wolverines. They must win one of their last three (Purdue, Wisconsin and Ohio State) to become bowl eligible. The way they're going, that isn't a gimme.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/tony_bleills_big_ten_report/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The Illini showed what they were capable of as another loss would have sent an already-frustrated fan base over the edge. The performance begs the question – why haven't the Illini played this way all year?</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/illini_grade_a/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>* * *</strong></p> <p>Jeff Cumberland came to Illinois as a tight end, but during the Rose Bowl season in 2007, the Illini coaches felt they could take advantage of the 6-foot-5, 255-pounder's unique skill set and create some mismatches by moving him to receiver.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/illinois-michigan_notebook/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – He's had bigger games. More yards. More touchdowns.</p> <p>But there haven't been many better games for Juice Williams than Saturday's against Michigan. A year after setting the Michigan Stadium record for total offense, the Illinois quarterback got his second win against the Wolverines.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/31/juice_gets_redemption/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Here's a scary Halloween story: Tens of thousands of (possibly frustrated) football fans will be driving through Champaign-Urbana just as costumed children hit the streets.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/a_traffic_nightmare_ui_game_collides_with_trick_or_treat/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Who's to blame for the football program's nosedive? Guenther, Zook, Tate? Let us know by voting here.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/whos_to_blame_let_us_know/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>To his credit, Williams hasn't changed. Sure, he's a bit down after games. But the smile is still there. Maybe not as bright, but it's still there.</p> <p>You get the feeling he will snap out of it. Fire pass after pass down field to his "7-to-9" cohort Arrelious Benn. Run like he did in 2007 against Ohio State. Pass like he did in 2008 against Missouri (451 yards) and Minnesota (462). Lead. Dominate.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/asmussen_juice_still_trying/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Proviso West receiver rated nation's No. 2 player by Rivals.com</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/prater_visiting_illinois/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Bob Asmussen's news and notes from Friday afternoon at Memorial Stadium:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/final_word_from_memorial_stadium/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>It will be close into the third quarter, with the home crowd giving the Illini a boost. But Michigan will wear down the Illini in the second half, with Tate Forcier throwing a pair of touchdown passes in a 35-21 victory. (N-G record: 5-2).</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/hq_prediction_michigan_35-21/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>News-Gazette Top 25</p> <p>After a long break, The News-Gazette again is voting in The Associated Press poll. Here are the teams staff writer Bob Asmussen rates as the nation's best:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/asmussens_insider_ncaa_football_2010_like_illinois/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Fans will be fans, so yes, everyone got a little too excited after the 4-0 start, thinking Michigan had arrived under Rich Rodriguez. What they forget was how young and thin this roster is. More than losses, the way they've happened has been hard to swallow. In overtime against Michigan State. On the last drive to Iowa when Tate Forcier was on the bench. And then no one expected the blowout last week against Penn State.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/inside_michigan_fans_still_doubting_rich_rodriguez/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Did the vote of confidence for Ron Zook help to relax the Illini?</strong></p> <p>Certainly, the Illinois players had been hearing rumors about the future of the coaching staff. On campus, at the mall or in the grocery store, it has been a common topic. Now that Ron Guenther has said the Zook will be back, the players should be more comfortable with their situation. Will it change the way they play? You'll know about five minutes into the game.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/30/michigan-illinois_5_keys/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>When he phoned Ron Guenther last week, the intent was to set up a dinner date this weekend in Champaign. Instead, Mason got the scoop on Ron Zook, breaking the news that the Illinois coach would be retained through 2010. Sports editor JIM ROSSOW caught up with the 59-year-old former Minnesota coach – and current Big Ten Network analyst – this week to discuss Zook's problems, Guenther's motives and his future.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/29/talking_shop_with_glen_mason/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video.</p> <p>Today: <span>Illini comeback win at </span><span>Michigan</span><span> 1993 Football</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span></span><span><strong></strong></span></p> </p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/29/youtube_and_the_illini/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>DALLAS — Illinois offensive guard Jon Asamoah is among 14 finalists for the Campbell Trophy, given to the nation's top senior scholar-athlete in college football.</p> <p>The Campbell Trophy is presented by the National Football Foundation. The winner receives $25,000 in scholarship money.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/29/asamoah_a_campbell_trophy_finalist/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Q: What did you think of the 2005 Illinois-North Carolina basketball title game?</p> <p>A: I was in seventh or eighth grade. My dad was a huge N.C. State fan. What he used to do back when State was good and they were winning all those championships, he would make a shrine in front of the TV of N.C. State stuff. I was a big Carolina basketball fan. My dad told me to make a shrine in front of the TV for the basketball game. I did and Carolina won. I was rooting for Carolina. I would have to root for Illinois now.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/29/jacob_charest_qa/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Peppers expects Cooper to sign with Illini</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/29/guenthers_words_impress_proviso_east_coach/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Sports editor Jim Rossow's weekly look around Big Ten football:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/29/jim_rossows_big_ten_football_report/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Boubacar Cissoko has been kicked off the team after being suspended earlier this month.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/28/michigan_gives_cornerback_the_boot/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Florida vs. Texas</p> <p>We're back with the Gators, especially since we now know they've got the SEC officials on their side. Texas might not even to send its best players to the Big 12 title game. The North leader now is Kansas State, which earlier this season lost to Louisiana and beat UMass by four. Yuck.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/28/bowl_forecast_dont_mess_with_texas/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can''t leave work without:</strong></p> <p>Glen Mason is OK with Ron Guenther coming out in support of his football coach at midseason. Now the pressure's on Zook, the Big Ten Network analyst said.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/28/5_oclock_shadow/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.</p> <p>Today: Vernon and Vontae Davis</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/27/youtube_and_the_illini/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>MINNEAPOLIS— Minnesota star wide receiver Eric Decker will miss the rest of the regular season because of a foot injury.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/27/decker_out_for_season/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>116. Illinois (1-6)</p> <p>-  RON ZOOK's team makes its first appearance. All it will take to get out is a win Saturday against Michigan. Or the following Saturday against Minnesota. Or the Saturday after that against Northwestern.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/27/asmussens_insider_illinois_finally_in_my_bottom_5/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can't leave work without:</strong></p> <p>Ron Zook isn't saying who will start at quarterback against Michigan. Or, for that matter, who will kick.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/27/5_oclock_shadow/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>SAN FRANCISCO  — The San Francisco 49ers have taken a big blow to their already struggling offensive line, losing right tackle Tony Pashos for the season with a broken left shoulder blade.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/27/pashos_out_for_the_season/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Dear Coach Zook,</p> <p>Here's the best deal you'll get this week. Beat Michigan on Saturday and all is forgiven. OK, maybe not all, but a long overdue triumph would certainly take pressure off you and your boss.</p> <p>This is the stadium, remember, that was dedicated with a 39-14 defeat of the Wolverines. Red Grange ran wild. It was here that the Illini upset Tommy Harmon & Co., 7-0, in 1936. It was on this snow-covered field that Tommy O'Connell passed to Rex Smith for a 7-0 win in the UI's last undefeated season of 1951. There is history in this series, but it is long-ago history. Now, all these decades later, we look back on a single home win – 16-6 in 1983 – in the last 51 years.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/27/tate_an_open_letter_to_coach_zook/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez says center David Molk, a former News-Gazette All-Stater from Lemont, is out for the season after tearing a ligament in his right knee against Penn State.</p> <p>Rodriguez said Monday that Molk will not participate in spring drills because of the injury.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/26/michigans_molk_out_for_season/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Game starts at 11 a.m.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/26/illinois-minnesota_time_set/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can't leave work without:</strong></p> <p>Though you might hear about players reconsidering their commitments to the Illinois football team, Andy Gallik won't be one of those guys.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/26/5_oclock_shadow/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Bob Asmussen looks back at Illlinois' loss to Purdue and ahead to this weekend's game against Michigan</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/25/asmussens_review-preview/ Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – You will see Jacob Charest on the field for Illinois against Michigan. And you will see Juice Williams on the field against Michigan.</p> <p>Which one will start? That's the unknown for coach Ron Zook going into the week of practice.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/25/juice_charest_to_split_time_again/ Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Ten UI football heroes vs. Michigan</p> <p>Although the Illinois-Michigan football series has been dominated by the Wolverines (66-22-2), the Illini have had their share of gridiron heroes. Last season, Illinois scored 45 points against Michigan, the most the Illini have put up against the Wolverines in school history.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/25/illini_legends_lists_lore_those_were_the_days/ Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A look at how former Illini fared in the NFL in Week 7</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/25/former_illini_in_nfl_week_7/ Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>LOOKING BAD: State of Michigan. Neither the Spartans nor Wolverines are bowl eligible yet. And if they do sneak in, Detroit might be as far as they get. Like Illinois, they're basketball schools.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/jim_rossows_big_ten_report/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Illinois athletic director addresses Zook speculation</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/guenther_no_change_at_top/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>FINAL: Purdue 24, Illinois 14</strong></p> <p>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — On the day Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther promised that Ron Zook would be back for the 2010 season, the Illini dropped their sixth game of the season.</p> <p>The Illini finished 0-for-Indiana, with Purdue winning 24-14 at Ross-Ade Stadium. A week ago, the Illini dropped a 27-14 game at Indiana.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/live_from_west_lafayette/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Give us your grade vs. Purdue</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/give_us_your_grade_vs_purdue/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – On the field, the Illinois coach was losing his ninth consecutive game against a Division I-A opponent and moving with one loss of being eliminated from bowl consideration for the fourth time in five seasons.</p> <p>In the press box at halftime, Ron Zook was being given another year by his athletic director, Ron Guenther.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/zook_illini_cant_back_up_the_ads_talk/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Outgoing University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman, who steps down Monday, was asked about the status of football coach Ron Zook in a wide-ranging interview last week with News-Gazette staff writer Julie Wurth. Here's what he said:</p> <p>If you were still going to be chancellor, what would you do about the football coach?</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/richard_herman_weighs_in/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>News flash: College football is a 60-minute game. It's understandable they're looking for positives in a season gone wrong. But the Illini – like they were after Michigan State – were boasting about how well they played in the second half of a loss. True, they limited the Boilers to 49 yards rushing in the second half, but what about the 171 they allowed in the first half? Got to get it going from the start.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/upon_further_review_this_is_getting_ridiculous/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Jacob Charest played for the first time in his college career on Saturday. It apparently won't be his last appearance.</p> <p>"I thought he did a nice job," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "He made some nice plays.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/ui-purdue_notes_charest_did_a_nice_job/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. – It hasn't been the kind of season anybody expected for Illinois. Seventeen Associated Press voters had the team in the preseason Top 25, including one who picked it 12th. College football expert Phil Steele predicted a bounceback season and a possible run at a perfect record.</p> <p>The fans bought in too, gobbling up tickets and filling the message boards with their hopes and dreams. It was difficult to find folks who didn't believe.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/midterm_mark_has_everyone_befuddled/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Not a terrible performance, but still a disappointing one. This was Purdue after all – on the heels of Indiana after all. We thought the Illini would come out fired up in light of the athletic director's vote of confidence in Ron Zook. Didn't happen, though, and now Michigan comes to town.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/ui_grade_d/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>In their earlier meeting, Guenther reportedly told his coach that everything would be done after the season to give Zook a chance to turn it around. This is construed to mean that Zook will have financial support to make any staff changes he deems necessary. Both coordinator jobs are believed to be in play, and Guenther's halftime remarks supported that line of thinking: "We'll evaluate everything at the end, and there'll be changes, but we won't make a change at the top. That isn't going to happen."</p> <p>Under the circumstances, with the university administration in upheaval, Guenther's word goes almost unchallenged on the campus.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/24/tate_ad_talks_but_is_anyone_listening/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>"Jacob is going to play," Illinois coach RON ZOOK said Friday evening at the team headquarters in Lafayette, Ind. "He's practiced well this week and done a good job. I think he deserves a chance.</p> <p>"I'm going to start Juice because of the immense pressure that we don't want to put Jacob under. But I'm excited about the package we have for (Charest). We did some things against our defense this week that I think it will be interesting to see what happens."</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/final_word_charest_will_play/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Can Illinois hit double digits in the first half?</strong></p> <p>It hasn't during any of the previous five games against Division I-A teams. No statistic should trouble Illinois fans more than the 13 points the team has put up in the first halves against I-A. The 7-3 lead against Indiana was the first time the Illini had led against a I-A team.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/illinois-purdue_5_keys/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>According to Glen Mason of the Big Ten Network, Ron Zook's job is safe at Illinois.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/mason_zook_in_no_danger_of_getting_fired/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – Ron Zook and the Illini make the short trip to Purdue this weekend aboard a runaway train that is seemingly hurtling downhill toward a crash-and-burn ending.</p> <p>Somebody please hit the brakes. Quick! The Big Ten losing streak reached six with a 27-14 loss to Indiana, a team that was a 55-13 victim a year ago. And if the Illini are frustrated and downcast, Purdue is uplifted overnight by a 26-18 upset of Ohio State. The UI's pass defense, last in the Big Ten, now faces a fifth-year senior, Joey Elliott, who completed 31 passes against the Buckeyes.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/if_change_is_necessary_let_ad_make_it/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The Boilermakers have already had their breakthrough moment. It will continue as Elliott hits open receivers and the Boilermakers take a big early lead. The Illini will score in the first half, but it won't be enough as Purdue earns a 34-10 win.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/hq_prediction_purdue_34-10/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>You would like to say you saw it coming. That it wasn't a surprise. But you would be lying. It's what makes college football, and sports for that matter, so great. Unpredictability.</p> <p>Nobody saw Illinois' Rose Bowl season coming in 2007. And nobody saw the just as swift decline in 2009.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/asmussen_misery_loves_company/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can't leave work without:</strong></p> <p>NCAA Football 2010 says ... Purdue 14, Illinois 7.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/5_oclock_shadow/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Did Gene Keady storm the field after the big win?</strong></p> <p>Coach Keady was in attendance. If he was a little younger, I could see him in the middle of the student body, pumping his fist in the air and shouting "Boiler Up."</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/23/inside_purdue_keady_pumped_up/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><em>The News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year in 2008 has jumped right into college football, at a position other than the one he expected to play. Former East St. Louis star Terry Hawthorne is helping the Illini as a cornerback and on kick returns. His load is much lighter than in high school, when he played offense, defense and all of the special teams. But it's early.</em></p> <p>Q: If I had told you in the summer you'd be playing cornerback, what would have been your response?</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/22/qa_with_terry_hawthorne/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Sports editor Jim Rossow weekly look around Big Ten football:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/22/jim_rossows_big_ten_football_report/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>One of the most powerful figures in college sports isn't interested in leaving his job as Big Ten commissioner to run the NCAA. On the job since 1989, the former North Carolina basketball player still has work to do in the Big Ten, from fine-tuning the conference's television network to figuring out what to do with its men's basketball tournament. Sports editor JIM ROSSOW tracked down Delany this week to discuss Illinois' struggles in football, Iowa's chances of making the BCS title game and the commissioner's future.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/22/questions_for_jim_delany/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>If Illinois decides to make another coaching change, who would you like to see take over the football program.</p> <p> </p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/21/if_zook_goes_whos_next/ Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Cincinnati vs. Penn State</strong></p> <p>The Nittany Lions used to invite the Bearcats to State College for a nonconference pounding. Now, they are on a level playing field. If Brian Kelly wins another 300 games or so, he'll catch Joe Paterno. At his current pace, the legend will win No. 400 early next season. He's 11 away with six more this season. The fifth opponent in 2010: at Iowa. The sixth opponent: Illinois.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/21/bowl_forecast_penn_state_in_the_fiesta/ Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.</p> <p>Today: <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:UseFELayout /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Illini Football 1983 Season</span></p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/20/youtube_and_the_illini/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>120. New Mexico (0-6)</p> <p>MIKE LOCKSLEY isn't going this week's game against UNLV because of his suspension. So, does the game count against his record? This is the most winnable game left on the schedule. In the final four weeks, the Lobos play Utah, BYU and TCU. Utah and TCU are on the road. Think kind thoughts for Locksley.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/20/asmussens_insider_illinois_still_not_in_the_bottom_5/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Ron Zook isn't saying who Illinois will start at quarterback Saturday at Purdue, but he isn't ruling out third-stringer Jacob Charest.</p> <p>Zook said Tuesday the redshirt freshman has practiced more this week than any time the past few weeks.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/20/zook_open_to_charest/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can't leave work without:</strong></p> <p>Richard Herman, who resigned as UI chancellor on Tuesday, was a big fan of Big Ten football. In 2006, in a chat with sports editor Jim Rossow, Herman sang the praises of Ron Zook and Ron Guenther: "I couldn't be more delighted by the decision by Director Guenther to stay with us (by signing a contract extension). That was a great day when he agreed to do that." </p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/20/5_oclock_shadow/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The honors are rolling in for Purdue after the Boilermakers' upset of Ohio State.</p> <p>Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan won defensive player of the week awards from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Big Ten, and Carson Wiggs was named the Big Ten special teams player of the week. Both played key roles in the 26-18 win, Purdue's first over a ranked team since 2003.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/20/purdue_feeling_good/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>We asked Illinois football beat writer Bob Asmussen what he would do with the position at Illinois. Here are his ideas:</strong></p> <p>There are as many options (four) as there are scholarship quarterbacks. Let's go player by player.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/19/quarterback_quandary/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Eric Stonestreet isn't a former Illinois football player. But he plays one on TV.</p> <p>On ABC's critically-praised comedy "Modern Family," Stonestreet portrays Cameron, the larger-than-life half of a gay couple.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/19/abc_show_shines_unusual_light_on_illini_football/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – Illinois football coach Ron Zook met with athletic director Ron Guenther on Sunday morning. That's nothing new. The two meet regularly to talk football.</p> <p>"We watched some of the tape together," Zook said. "I don't think this is the time to assess everything as a whole. We're halfway through. Obviously, the first half hasn't been very pretty.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/18/zook_guenther_meet_like_always/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A look at Bob Asmussen's Week 6 ballot for the AP poll — plus what he was thinking. And the Associated Press, Coaches and Harris Top 25s. Plus the BCS standings.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/18/bobs_week_7_top_25/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A look at how former Illini fared in Week 6 of the NFL</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/18/former_illini_in_nfl_week_6/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Bob Asmussen looks back at the Indiana loss and ahead to the game against Purdue</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/18/asmussens_review-preview/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>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.</p> <p>Indiana delivered the latest blow, scoring a 27-14 win on a chilly Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/illini_dropping_fast/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>s</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/give_us_your_grade_vs_indiana/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>– Seriously, when does basketball season start? After another dreadful performance by the Illini, one has to wonder if the 7,623 who showed for "Spike the Record" on Friday at the Assembly Hall will be larger than the Halloween crowd against Michigan, the next time the Illini play in Champaign. Obviously it won't, but that's due in large part to the presence of the Wolverines. Some of it's bad luck, some of it's bad execution, some of it's bad coaching, but it's all not good.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/upon_further_review_i_cant_believe_what_i_just_saw/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Can't lose to Indiana at all. Can't lose to Indiana by double figures if you want to have any hope for your season going forward. Great effort by the Hoosiers coming back from a blowout loss last week at Virginia.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/ui_grade_f/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Big Ten cellar has carved out a place for Illinois again. It is a familiar spot. If the 2009 swoon continues, it'll mark the fifth last-place finish in seven years, and the seventh in 14.</p> <p>And there is nothing to indicate it won't happen, what with Indiana demolishing the Illini 27-14 Saturday night and with Purdue, shocking conqueror of Ohio State, next on the slate.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/tate_time_for_ad_to_look_around/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – There was excitement on both campuses. A buzz if you will. Alums descending from all corners of the globe. Eager fans, decked out in orange and blue. And crimson and white.</p> <p>For basketball scrimmages and dunk contests.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/illinois-indiana_preview_jumping_through_hoops/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The numbers look all right – 22 for 37, 258 yards and two touchdowns – but Juice Williams didn't play very well in Saturday's loss. Williams returned to the starting lineup after serving as the backup to Eddie McGee in last week's loss to Michigan State and turned the ball over twice, losing two fumbles in the loss to the Hoosiers.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/ui-indiana_notes/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>LOOKING BAD: Ohio State. Bring back John Cooper. With games left against Penn State, Iowa and Michigan, the Buckeyes could lose as many games as they did in Jim Tressel's first season (7-5 in 2001). Which means they could miss out on a January bowl game for only the second time in Tressel's stint (they went to the Alamo Bowl in 2004).</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/17/jim_rossows_big_ten_report/ Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>As administrator of the BCS, Hancock is in charge of convincing everyone a college football playoff isn't the way to go. The argument will resume when the season's first BCS rankings come out at 3 p.m. Sunday. The former director of basketball's Final Four, Hancock has the ear of the 11 conference commissioners – and the ire of coaches and fans whose teams are ranked lower than they think. Sports editor JIM ROSSOW caught up with Hancock this week to discuss the first poll, the future of the BCS and President Obama.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/10_questions_for_bill_hancock/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>From Bloomington Herald Times sports editor Chris Korman.</strong></p> <p>Indiana does not miss the embarrassing distractions that came to mark the latter part of Knight's tenure. Sure, there will be hold-outs but right now the fan base seems poised to fall completely for Tom Crean – as soon as he wins more than six games or signs afive-star prospect.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/inside_indiana_remember_bob_knight/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>NCAA Football 2010 says ...</strong></p> <p>Indiana 19, Illinois 14. Juice Williams fumbles at the Indiana 3 in the closing minute to preserve the Hoosiers victory. Williams finished with 66 rushing yards, including a 56-yard touchdown run. He hits 9 of 17 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/asmussens_insider_video_game_likes_the_hoosiers/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can't leave work without:</strong></p> <p>PITTSBURGH —  Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is expected to start against the Browns after returning to practice following a day off with flu-like symptoms.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/5_oclock_shadow/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Indiana coach BILL LYNCH might have the best office in the Big Ten. The large room, adorned with all things Indiana, has a patio that looks over the field. On Friday, Lynch saw Champaign's DOUG MILLS from his office and invited the Illinois-jacket wearing fan up to say hello.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/final_word_indianas_looking_good_at_least_its_stadium/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>He's got the day off, his first break from football in a long time. So, what is Robby Long going to do on Saturday? Go to a football game, of course.</p> <p>DePauw's interim head coach plans to be in Bloomington for tonight's Illinois-Indiana game. He also has a wedding to attend in northern Indianapolis, a co-worker of his wife Stacy. Long will skip the ceremony, risking a stint in the doghouse, and get there in time for an evening reception.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/catching_up_with_robby_long/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Who will be the Illinois quarterback?</strong></p> <p>During the week, Juice Williams and Eddie McGee didn't know. And Ron Zook wasn't saying. The players split the snaps evenly between the first and second units, making it impossible for them to know who would go out first. Maybe Zook told the players last night, but he isn't going to give the information to anybody else until he has to.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/illinois-indiana_5_keys/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Two teams desperate for a win. But the Illini are a little more desperate. Juice Williams returns to the starting lineup and throws three touchdown passes as Illinois squeaks past the Hoosiers 37-34. In triple overtime.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/16/hq_prediction_illinois_37-34/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Sports editor Jim Rossow's weekly look around Big Ten football:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/15/jim_rossows_big_ten_football_report/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Football follies</p> <p>Since 1995, Illinois and Indiana have been in football ruts. Here's how they compare:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/15/indiana-illinois_how_low_can_you_go/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Q: What do you think the problem is with the offense?</p> <p>A: First of all, we're beating ourselves with stupid penalties. Sometimes, we could drive all the way down and have two or three penalties that put us out of scoring energy. Secondly, we need to get some energy going. We need our playmakers to make plays and we need our older guys to step up and take charge.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/15/qa_with_mikel_leshoure/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Southern Cal vs. Iowa</p> <p>Nothing changed since last week, with the Trojans taking last Saturday off and the Hawkeyes staying undefeated with a home win against Michigan. The really important question is what happens to an undefeated Iowa? It will take a few important losses ahead of the Hawkeyes to get them into the title game. Don't see it happening.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/14/bob_on_bowls_iowa_vs_usc/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>DETROIT — The chief executive of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl said he still hopes for the game to have a tie-in with the Big Ten.<br /> George Perles said Wednesday he expects to know by next week if the former Motor City Bowl will reach an agreement with a Big Ten or Big East team to play a Mid-American Conference school.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/14/pizza_bowl_big_ten_try_to_connect/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Tate Forcier may be feeling better, but Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez won’t take any chances with his freshman quarterback.<br /> Forcier suffered a mild concussion on his final snap in the Wolverines’ 30-28 loss last Saturday at Iowa. And after headaches for two days following the game, Forcier was kept out of practices Monday and Tuesday.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/14/michigans_forcier_improves/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube</p> <p>Today: Pittsburgh Steelers-Rashard Mendenhall Dances to MJ mix</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/13/youtube_and_the_illini/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>1. Pick me. If I have an opening at the end of the season, the first guy I'm calling is Texas Tech coach MIKE LEACH. He can't be happy with school administrators, who messed with him before offering a contract extension after last season. The first good job offer that comes along, Leach will likely jump. He isn't a conventional guy, which only adds to his appeal. This week, for instance, he said he "doesn't believe in injuries."</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/13/asmussens_insider_i_like_mike_leach/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>a</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/13/zooks_status_give_us_your_vote/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can't leave work without:</strong></p> <p>The Big Ten has agreements with seven bowls for the 2010 season. Here is the league lineup</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/13/5_oclock_shadow/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Coach Bill Lynch didn't recognize the Indiana team he saw last weekend or on tape.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/13/lynch_flu_bug_hurt_hoosiers/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – Ron Zook is counting on both quarterbacks Saturday night at Indiana.</p> <p>To prove it, the Illini coach named Juice Williams and Eddie McGee this week's captains along with defensive linemen Josh Brent and Doug Pilcher. This is undoubtedly the first time Illinois ever had two quarterback captains in the same week. Zook is seemingly trying to show confidence in both. And if you're dying to know who'll start, well ... it'll probably be Juice but the coach isn't ready to say yet.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/13/tate_more_second-guessing_both_qbs_might_be_used/ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>– Every Big Ten team has more early commitments than Illinois. According to Rivals.com, Penn State has 19 commits of which 14 are four-star prospects, Ohio State 13 and eight, Michigan 19 and four, Michigan State 14 and four, Minnesota 18 and two, Iowa 17 and two, Wisconsin 15 and none, Indiana 22 and none, Purdue 14 and none and Northwestern 10 and none. Illinois has nine, of which two have four-star rankings. And while those two, tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz of Johnsburg and defensive back Corey Cooper of Proviso East, confirm their intention to attend Illinois, they're hedging their bets.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/12/tate_illini_are_losing_more_than_just_games/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Morning kickoff, network to be determined.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/12/illinois-purdue_time_set/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p> </p> <p> </p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/12/eeoc_complaint_resolved_for_locksley/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A look at Bob Asmussen's Week 6 ballot for the AP poll — plus what he was thinking. And the Associated Press, Coaches and Harris Top 25s.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/12/bobs_week_6_top_25/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – After Saturday's game, Illinois coach Ron Zook said his offensive line hadn't played well. Nothing he saw on film Sunday changed his opinion.</p> <p>"Last week, I thought the inside guys played well enough to win and the outside guys didn't," Zook said. "This week, I'm not sure any of them played well enough to win. We're going to go as they do."</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/11/offensive_front_on_firing_line/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>If you have a headache this morning, blame it on A) breaking homecoming curfew or B) Ron Zook's Illini. To ease your pain, here's a rundown of all the stories, podcasts, chats, videos, photo galleries and call-in shows resulting from Saturday's Michigan State romp against Illinois at Memorial Stadium.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/11/michigan_state_24_illinois_14_everything_you_need_to_know/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Bob Asmussen looks back at the Michigan State loss and ahead to Saturday's game at Indiana.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/11/asmussens_review-preview/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>A look at how former Illini fared in the NFL during Week 5</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/11/former_illini_in_nfl_week_5/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>BOWL FORECAST</p> <p>Looking bad: Indiana. The Hoosier defense was just the tonic for a woeful Virginia attack. The Cavaliers entered fourth from the bottom in the nation in total offense. They finished with more than 500 yards for the first time since 2004 while winning by 40 points.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/jeff_huths_big_ten_report/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – It wasn't supposed to go like this. Not in 2009. Not after the disappointment of last season.</p> <p>It was supposed to be the year Illinois ended Missouri's dominance in St. Louis. The Tigers were young and vulnerable.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/believe_it_or_not_illinois_still_has_reason_to_play/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>FINAL: MSU 24, Illinois 14<br /></strong></p> <p>CHAMPAIGN — OK, so now you know that it isn't the quarterback. Or, at least, just the quarterback.</p> <p>In Eddie McGee's first start at Illinois, the offense and defense struggled. Mightily. Michigan State dominated from the start, rolling to a 24-14 victory that left the Ron Zook's fifth team at 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/live_from_memorial_stadium/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>c</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/give_us_your_grade_vs_michigan_state/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The Illini got manhandled at home by a 2-3 team playing with its backup quarterback. The offense is in disarray and there's no clear answer as where to turn next. Otherwise, everything is peachy.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/ui_grade_d/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>This is a scribe looking for something to positive about, and it isn't easy. This is the king's men checking the fall of Humpty Dumpty, and wondering what to do with the pieces. This was a team Saturday, in both line play and passing game, that was completely outclassed until it was settled, leaving those of us who stayed to wonder those last two touchdowns have meaning.</p> <p>Imagine, 11 straight incomplete passes! Is that a record? Imagine being outgained 281-60 by a three-loss opponent. Illinois has been outscored 84-10 prior to the fourth quarters of the four losses.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/tate_its_worse_than_it_looked/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>"The games we have lost, all of them have been discouraging," Illlinois quarterback Juice Williams said. "It's not one that's bigger than the other. All of them hurt. All of them drain you from things outside of football as far as your family.</p> <p>"It's something that every guy on this team didn't expect. If you have told me we were going to be 1-4 while we were in camp, there might have been a fight. It's the reality of it. It's happened. We've got to deal with it."</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/illini_its_terrible/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Jereme Richmond, Meyers Leonard and Crandall Head were shown around on their official visits by Weber and assistant coach Jerrance Howard and director of basketball operations Sean Harrington. Leonard, a 6-foot-11 senior from Robinson, walked witha limp. He had an MRI on his knee recently and will be sidelined a few weeks. It's not thought to be a serious injury. Head got around on crutches after recently undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/further_review_at_least_the_basketball_players_showed_up/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The quarterback situation will get most of the attention this week. First-time starter Eddie McGee couldn't get the offense moving and was replaced by former starter Juice Williams in the third quarter.</p> <p>Those who had asked for McGee got their wish. Illinois coach Ron Zook wasn't about to name a starter for Indiana.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/10/ui_notes_zook_wont_name_starting_qb_just_yet/ Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The word came earlier in the week. The News-Gazette is being asked to help pick the All-Big Ten football team this season. It's an honor that we take seriously.</p> <p>So serious, in fact, that we're starting our research now. While there are oodles of games for players to make their case, some have already put themselves on the "must" list. Including a guy visiting Memorial Stadium on Saturday.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/09/the_all-big_ten_ballots_are_here/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Has the Mark Dantonio era taken a step backward?</strong></p> <p>Overall, I don't think so. I think his second team overachieved, so expectations got a bit out of hand for his third team. A lot of fans were talking 10 wins or more in August. If this team ends up with a losing season, that would have to be considered a step backward.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/09/inside_michigan_state/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>Will there be other position changes?</strong></p> <p>It sure sounds like it. During his weekly press conference, Zook talked about making changes on the offensive line. He wants to get Corey Lewis and Graham Pocic on the field more, which will mean less time for Ryan Palmer and Randall Hunt. And the receiver position after Arrelious Benn seems to be in a state of flux. So, look for more plays for some of the younger guys, especially Jack Ramsey.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/09/illini-spartans_5_keys_to_the_game/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>When they lost consecutive games to Central Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin, the Spartans looked vulnerable. But they bounced back with a big win against Michigan and will continue the streak today against the Illini. Eddie McGee has a decent game, but Michigan State gains a 28-20 victory.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/09/hq_prediction_michigan_state_28-20/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>After an early-evening workout, Illinois coach RON ZOOK listed tight end MICHAEL HOOMANAWANUI as questionable for today's game. Hoomanawanui is recovering from a sprained ankle suffered against Penn State.</p> <p>"I think it will be a game-time thing," Zook said. "He told me (Friday) he felt good. He was out here today. We'll see."</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/09/final_word_hoomanawanuis_chances_improving/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>News-Gazette Top 25</p> <p>After a long break, The News-Gazette again is voting in The Associated Press poll. Here are the teams staff writer Bob Asmussen rates as the nation's best:</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/09/ncaa_football_2010_illinois_38_michigan_state_7/ Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>CHAMPAIGN – If your average, backup guard quits the basketball team, he might find the welcome mat removed.</p> <p>But the Jeff Jordan case is different. With Michael Jordan's son, everything is different, the pressures, the considerations. He arrived without a scholarship, persevered to the point of being a valuable reserve and maintained a positive, outgoing attitude.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/08/tate_jordan_likely_will_receive_warm_welcome/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.</p> <p>This week: Illini football Eddie McGee touchdown pass to Benn</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/08/youtube_and_the_illini/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p><strong>News you can't leave work without:</strong></p> <p>There's hope for Illinois. Just look at some of the teams that started 1-3 in 2008.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/08/5_oclock_shadow/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>The popular Miller High Life deliveryman of TV commercial fame will be in Champaign on Saturday to mix it up with the homecoming crowd outside Memorial Stadium. The 30-year-old Texas native had a short football career, but he still loves being a fan – and loves the promotional tour that allows him to pitch his product from Notre Dame to Nebraska. Sports editor JIM ROSSOW caught up with Middlebrooks this week to discuss his cult-hero status, the Illini's struggles and proper tailgating technique.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/08/10_questions_for_windell_middlebrooks/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Q: Were you surprised when the coaches told you about starting?</p> <p>A: When (Ron Zook) first told me, I was thinking "It's my time." But I didn't want somebody to get hurt in order for me to play. It shocked me. I was smiling, but at the same time I felt bad for Martez. He would have had a big season this year.</p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/08/evan_frierson_qa/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST <p>Sports editor Jim Rossow's weekly look around Big Ten football:</p> <p> </p> http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2009/10/08/jim_rossows_big_ten_football_report/ Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:00:00 CST