CHAMPAIGN – His football team was outscored by 177 points. His quarterbacks completed 47 percent of their passes. His offense allowed six fumble or interception returns for touchdowns.

Despite all the negatives, Ron Turner refuses to give up hope. On Monday, the second-year Illinois coach looked ahead to 1999 and beyond.

"As long as you're moving forward, which I believe we are, then the success is going to come," Turner said.

"We feel very good about the commitment from everybody involved in the university. I feel very good about the players we have returning for next season."

Two days after the end of a 3-8 season, Turner pointed to the glut of experienced players who will return in '99. Twenty-nine who started at least one game return. Eleven of the returnees were full-time starters.

On defense, Turner loses two starters: defensive tackle Garrett Johnson and safety Mike Gusich.

"We made progress defensively," Turner said.

Both starting cornerbacks, Asim Pleas and Tony Francis, will be back. Strong safety Bobby Jackson returns and could be joined by his brother, Marc, a high school star in Oregon.

Linebacker again will be an Illinois strength. Besides the return of all three starters, Eric Guenther should be back for a final season. Guenther suffered a leg injury early in '98 and likely will receive a medical redshirt.

On offense, Turner needs to replace the line's left side. That's it. Every other position has at least one experienced player back.

Depth at running back will be the offense's strength, Turner said. Steve Havard, Rocky Harvey and Jameel Cook took turns starting. Antoineo Harris, who sat out the season as an academic nonqualifier, is doing well in school and should begin his Illinois career in August.

Turner's biggest decision is at quarterback. Again.

Mark Hoekstra has used up his eligibility, leaving Kurt Kittner and Kirk Johnson to fight for the job. Kittner started five games in the middle of the season, and Johnson went the final three.

"The key to us and the biggest thing we have to do in the offseason is get stability at the quarterback position," Turner said.

Freshman Walter Young and redshirt freshman Jeff Ziegler also have a chance to take the job. After the Michigan State game, Ziegler said he considered a transfer. But Turner said they talked again after the game and expects Ziegler back.

"I think he wants to have a chance to compete," Turner said. "If he's here, which I think he will be, he'll be in the mix to compete."

Turner tried six players at the two receiver spots. Lenny Willis led the team with 26 catches, and departing senior Rob Majoy was second with 22.

Walk-on Aaron Morehead will get a chance to win one of the spots in the spring. Turner expects improvement from junior college transfers Larry Davis and Terrance Smalls.

"We have to get much more consistency and more help out of our receiver position," Turner said.

Stability hasn't been a problem for Turner's coaching staff. He kept all nine assistants after an 0-11 '97 season.

"I feel great about them," Turner said. "They believe in what we're doing.

"I don't anticipate losing anybody."

Plan ahead

The Illinois football team closed its 1998 season with a 41-9 loss at Michigan State on Saturday. The team has nine months and change before it tries to improve on its 3-8 record. Next season's schedule:

DATE, OPPONENT, COMMENT

Sept. 4, vs. Arkansas State, Never easy to beat a Joe Hollis team

Sept. 11, vs. San Diego State, Ron Turner visits with buddy Ted Tollner

Sept. 18, at Louisville, Chris Redman tries to go 3-0 against UI

Sept. 25, vs. Michigan State, Illini hoping Sedrick Irvin leaves early

Oct. 2, at Indiana, Antwaan Randle El wants some revenge

Oct. 16, vs. Minnesota, Gophers coach Glen Mason an ex-UI assistant

Oct. 23, at Michigan, Nice to have the Wolverines back on the schedule

Oct. 30, vs. Penn State, Preseason Big Ten favorites

Nov. 6, at Iowa, The next Hawkeyes coach: Bobby Stoops

Nov. 13, at Ohio State, Will Buckeyes be looking ahead to Michigan?

Nov. 20, vs. Northwestern, It's 50-50 Gary Barnett still with the team