UNHAPPY RETURNS: Want to see Illinois coach Ron Turner in a bad mood? Check him out after a team returns a kickoff 99 yards against the Illini for a touchdown. It happened Saturday night for Middle Tennessee State, Sulecio Sanford racing past the Illinois coverage team.

"You can't have that," Turner said. "It's unacceptable. It should never happen. You should go seasons without that happening."

It wasn't just new players making mistakes on the return, Turner said. Players who were part of the unit last season also messed up.

"It was just lack of execution," Turner said.

Turner is taking a look at the kickoff coverage personnel and plans a few changes. The team also is practicing kickoff returns with full contact, something normally not done during midweek practices.

"We're just emphasizing it and showing it to them," Turner said.

ACHES, PAINS: Defensive end Fred Wakefield will miss his third game because of a virus. Turner said Wakefield has been cleared to return to practice Sunday. He might be available for the game Sept. 26. against Iowa. Running back Jameel Cook, who missed the Middle Tennessee State game with turf toe, ran well during Wednesday's practice. Defensive lineman Joe Lauzen remains out with mononucleosis.

UP NEXT: The Illini practice at 3:30 p.m. today. The practice is closed to the public and the media.

COUNTDOWN TO LOUISVILLE: 2 DAYS

Turner's first road game as Illinois coach ended with a 26-14 loss to Louisville at Cardinal Stadium. The Illini led 14-7 late in the first quarter on George McDonald-Ashford's 5-yard run. Louisville tied it midway through the second quarter on Arnold Jackson's 85-yard punt return. After a scoreless third quarter, Louisville scored twice in the fourth. The first touchdown was set up with a pass from punt formation that gained 25 yards. Five plays later, Chris Redman hooked up with Ibn Green for a 20-yard touchdown. Redman found Green again on a 63-yard score in the final minutes. Redman completed 19 of 28 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns as Louisville won its only game of the season. Illinois quarterback Mark Hoekstra hit 21 of 43 for 209 yards. Illini running back Robert Holcombe gained 165 yards on 40 carries. He also had a crucial fumble late in the third quarter as Illinois drove for the lead score.