CHAMPAIGN  The happy Illinois football players floated into the football office Sunday. They had plenty of reasons to be smiling.

   First, they didn''t have to practice. For the first time since the season started, coach Ron Turner gave them Sunday off.

   Second, they were coming off their best win in two seasons. On Saturday, Illinois ended Indiana''s bowl hopes with a 31-16 win at Memorial Stadium. Linebacker Danny Clark, who had an interception, congratulated Turner. So did Asim Pleas. And Turner thanked running back Steve Havard for his three-touchdown game.

   "You get a win, you''re going to be feeling a lot better," Turner said.

   Before Saturday, the Illini hadn''t been feeling so good. During a four-game stretch against the best of the Big Ten, Illinois had been outscored 147-12.

   Against the Hoosiers, the Illini didn''t have to worry about getting run over by Ron Dayne. They didn''t have to fret about Joe Germaine passes to David Boston and Dee Miller. They didn''t have to wonder when Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington was going to do another Superman impression.

   "We physically matched up better than we have the previous four weeks," Turner said. "We could go out and play well and do some good things. We didn''t have to play well and get a bunch of breaks to win."

   Knowing they didn''t need a perfect game, the Illini were more confident and relaxed.

   "We executed better in all phases," Turner said. "We didn''t do anything to self-destruct."

   Turner likes to look at the stat sheet and see just two penalties against his team. The Illini had only one turnover, and the defense forced three.

   The one turnover could have been a disaster for Illinois. Leading 14-7,Havard''s fumble was returned for a touchdown. On the Illinois sideline, the players didn''t panic. When Fred Wakefield blocked the extra point to preserve the lead, the mood got better.

   "That was a huge play," Turner said.

   Quarterback Kirk Johnson, making his third start, had his share of big plays, too. The junior threw a short touchdown pass to George McDonald-Ashford and kept the Illini offense driving all game.

   Johnson will start Nov. 21 against Michigan State.

   "He''s got a good handle of what we''re going to do," Turner said.

   Turner said it''s too early to project his starting quarterback for the 1999 season. Johnson will compete with freshmen Kurt Kittner, Walter Young and Jeff Ziegler.

   "I feel good about the guys we have," Turner said.

Changing numbers.

   On the postgame stat sheet, Johnson was credited with 20 completions in 27 attempts for 157 yards. Turner said the numbers actually should read 21 of 28 for 165.

   On Illinois'' second play, Johnson fired a ball across the field to Rob Majoy. The play was listed, incorrectly Turner said, as a run.

   "If that was a rush, then cut (Purdue quarterback) Drew Brees'' passing yardage in half," Turner said.

No more rides.

   Turner saw a couple of his players climb the goal post after Saturday''s win. He wasn''t happy about it.

   "I told (assistant) Osia (Lewis) to go get them down," Turner said. "There''s no reason to do that. We''re happy. We worked hard, we got a win, enjoy it. But act like you''ve been there before, and act like you''re going to be there again, which we are.

   "We want energy, and we want enthusiasm. But let the fans be the ones to get up on the goal post."

Early leave.

   Safety Ivan Benson has one year of eligibility remaining. But he ran on the field with the departing seniors Saturday.

   Turner said Benson is going to skip the extra season to concentrate on graduate school work. Benson is an Academic All-America candidate this season.

Review

   Every game has a defining moment when the outcome is established. Heres the play from Saturdays Illinois-Indiana game:

The situation

   The game is tied 7-7 in the final seconds of the first quarter. Illinois has just scored a touchdown on Steve Havards 4-yard run. Neil Rackers lines up for the kickoff.

The play

   Instead of booting the ball out of the end zone, former soccer star Rackers dribbles it toward the Illinois sideline. An onside kick is nothing new for Rackers, who recovered ones in 1996 and 97.

The result

   The ball bounces through the legs of an Indiana player and into the waiting arms of Illini Johnny Rogers. The trick play gives Illinois possession at its 47. The idea for the play came during the countless hours the Illinois coaches spend watching tape. They noticed a tendency by the Hoosiers to move toward the returner before the ball was kicked.

The outcome

   Two plays later, Havard finds a hole and races 45 yards for a touchdown. Rackers extra point gives Illinois a 14-7 lead. The Illini dont trail again in a 31-16 win.

The record

Washington State 20......UI 13

Illinois 48............MTSU 20

Louisville 35.............UI 9

Iowa 37..................UI 14

UI 13..........Northwestern 10

Ohio State 41.............UI 0

Wisconsin 37..............UI 3

Purdue 42.................UI 9

Penn State 27.............UI 0

UI 31...............Indiana 16

Nov. 21......at Michigan State

Preview

   After taking Saturday off, the Illini play Nov. 21 at Michigan State. A quick read on the Spartans:

Last game

   Nick Sabans team pulled off the upset of the season, rallying for a 28-24 win over No. 1 Ohio State at Columbus. Michigan State trailed 24-9 early in the third quarter after Ohio States Damon Moore intercepted a Bill Burke pass and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown.

Who to watch

   Running back Sedrick Irvin. Stuffed most of the day by the Buckeyes, Irvin scored the winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Where to watch

   Probably at Spartan Stadium. Though it hasnt been announced yet, the game likely wont be televised. That means four Illinois games this season werent aired.

Reason To watch

   Illinois tries to set itself up for a bowl run in 1999 while ruining the postseason hopes for the Spartans. Michigan State needs to win two of its last three for a bowl bid.

By the numbers

   Criticized early in the season, Burke is having a nice year. He entered Saturdays game 38th in the nation in passing efficiency.

The record

Colorado St. 23.........MSU 16

Oregon 48...............MSU 14

MSU 45...........Notre Dame 23

Michigan 29.............MSU 17

MSU 38...........C. Michigan 7

MSU 38..........Indiana 31, OT

Minnesota 19............MSU 18

MSU 29..........Northwestern 5

MSU 28...........Ohio State 24

Saturday............vs. Purdue

Nov. 21...........vs. Illinois

Nov. 28..........at Penn State