CHAMPAIGN – Kirk Johnson won't have to look at the depth chart the next two weeks. He knows he'll be Illinois' starting quarterback Nov. 21 against Michigan State.

Johnson didn't get quite as much notice before Saturday's game. Illinois coach Ron Turner waited until just before kickoff to name Johnson the starter.

Johnson and freshman Kurt Kittner competed for the job during practice. Johnson started against Penn State on Oct. 31, but Turner kept the position open.

"We had no idea who was going to start," Johnson said. "It got to the point where we were asking each other, 'Have they talked to you?' I had family coming out. I didn't want my brother to come all the way up from Alabama if I'm not going to be playing.

"I would like to know that I'm starting so that I can get mentally prepared as the starter. We both knew we had a good chance of starting. We both had to prepare as if we were the starter. Throughout the week, that's what we did."

Turner would have told the quarterbacks sooner if he had been able to pick one. The players performed equally well in practice. Turner talked it over with assistant coach Craig Ver Steeg before settling on Johnson.

"It was just kind of gut feeling on who would best execute the things we wanted to do," Turner said.

Johnson didn't execute on his first pass, missing Brian Hodges badly.

"After that first pass, I was like, 'What's going on?' " Johnson said. "It wasn't too good of a pass. I kind of rushed it a little bit. I knew another pass was coming up next."

Johnson hit his second try for 6 yards. After two more misses, Johnson completed eight in a row.

"After I got going on that first drive, I really felt like I was going to have a good day and that the team would, too," Johnson said.

His teammates are starting to believe in Johnson, who got his first win as an Illinois quarterback.

"Kirk did a great job," Illini receiver George McDonald-Ashford said. "He played with a lot of poise and a lot of confidence. He kept the offense moving."

Fond farewell.

Twelve Illinois seniors made their final run Saturday into Memorial Stadium. Unlike the past two Illini teams, they got to go out with a win.

"I wasn't crying," defensive tackle Garrett Johnson said. "It was a great feeling. It was a great team win today."

The seniors played a part in the win. Two receivers caught seven passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. Three offensive linemen blew open holes for running back Steve Havard. Five defenders combined for 14 tackles.

Four of the seniors finished without ever taking a redshirt season. Had he sat out earlier, Mike Gusich could have been coming back in '99.

"Of course it would be nice to be around," Gusich said. "I had a great experience when I did play. When these guys are really great in a couple years, I'm going to look back and be proud that I was a part of the rebuilding process."

Remembering Willis.

In his final home game, McDonald-Ashford scored his first touchdown of the season on a 3-yard pass from Kirk Johnson.

McDonald-Ashford was a close friend of Steve Willis, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the summer. Willis would have been playing his final home game, too.

"Just dealing with Steve has been my motivation all season," McDonald-Ashford said. "I was playing for myself and for my family and for seniors, but most of all I was playing for him. I really wanted him to be here with us today. I think I accomplished something for him and me."

Out of options.

On Indiana's first drive, Antwaan Randle El ran for 38 yards. He had just 39 yards the rest of the game.

"We went back over our responsibilities," Illinois linebacker Robert Franklin said. "We had to change a few things. Once we did that, we started shutting things down."

Turner said it took awhile for the Illini to adjust to Randle El's speed. Garrett Johnson still is trying.

"He is the fastest guy I've ever played against," Johnson said. "I've never seen a guy stop on a dime and cut back. He just has great lateral movement. He's a great runner. I'd hate to see him at tailback."

Good bye.

After Saturday, you'd think the Illini would want to get on with the next game ASAP.

Not so. They're looking forward to a week of R & R before the finale at Michigan State.

"It might be good because a lot of guys are beat up and sore," guard Ray Redziniak said. "We need to get recuperated."

Among the walking wounded: Kirk Johnson, who's still feeling the effects of his close encounter with LaVar Arrington and Co.

"I'm still pretty beat up after the Penn State game," he said. "I could use time to rest and get treatment on my ribs and my shoulders and just relax a little bit."

The Illini will take today and Monday off before heading back to the practice field Tuesday.

Leap of faith.

Midway through the second quarter, Indiana took the ball from its 31 to the Illinois 41. Twice on the drive, Randle El converted on third down.

Illini safety Bobby Jackson decided it was time for a stop.

On first down, Randle El fired a pass in the middle of the field. Jackson made a diving interception at the Illinois 30.

"I just remember seeing the ball and reaching out to go get it," Jackson said. "I might have went back to my receiver days in high school."

Illinois should have had an interception earlier in the drive. Illini cornerback Tony Francis dropped a long pass by Randle El.

"I saw Tony behind me, so I started blocking my man even before I should have been," Jackson said. "I just heard the crowd go, 'Ohhh.' "

Staying busy.

Illinois fullback Elmer Hickman and tight ends Josh Whitman and Brian Hodges combined for 10 catches. In the first nine games, they had 18 receptions.

"They (the Hoosiers) play some kind of zone defense," Hickman said. "The middle was wide open."

Final count.

With a crowd of 31,338 Saturday, Illinois' average dropped to 39,589 for the season. That's the lowest at Illinois since 1970, when Jim Valek's 3-7 team drew 37,659 per game.