Ask beat writer Bob Asmussen about Zook here

CHAMPAIGN – No straight-thinking person would blame the coach for Illinois' 52-42 football loss to Missouri last August.

But Ron Zook does. He blames himself. He believes that, in trying to make sure all the players were healthy, he eased off in the final preseason practices.

"I made a critical coaching mistake in preparation," Zook said this week.

"It wasn't Missouri's offensive splits or anything they did. I started worrying about winning instead of doing what's right. That's one thing I've learned.

"You get into training camp and you begin to get guys nicked up, which is normal, and you think, 'We have a chance to win this game, and we need everybody there.' And then we went out and we didn't tackle. It wasn't their scheme. We didn't tackle and we didn't get off blocks because I pulled off the last week, using the philosophy that, 'Hey, let's make sure we get all our guys to the game.' We didn't stop the run. You don't win many games when you give up (226) yards rushing."

This is, of course, "coach speak." Missouri would probably have won regardless of how the Illini prepared. Except for the decision to kick off to Jeremy Maclin in the second quarter (a 99-yard return), fans didn't leave the dome in St. Louis blaming the UI's head coach. This was, after all, a high-ranked Mizzou team that averaged 53 points in its first five games. These title-contending Tigers featured Chase Daniel, a senior who completed 72 percent of his passes for 39 touchdowns, a breakaway sensation in Maclin (102 receptions), a superb tight end in Chase Coffman (90 catches) and a workhorse tailback in Derrick Washington (17 TDs).

Of those four, only Washington returns, meaning Illini chances are enhanced because they have an experience edge with their fourth-year quarterback (Juice Williams), their best receiver (Arrelious Benn) and crack tight end (Michael Hoomanawanui) returning. If Zook can bring his squad to a fever pitch – they were riding high from a Rose Bowl trip last year – Illinois might be ready to turn the tables. And maybe, just maybe, Zook taking the heat for 2008 might help.

Depth charge

Zook is right about one thing. Illinois needs to play better defense. Not great, mind you. Just better. If that happens, if the Illini can avoid big breakaways and special teams breakdowns, the veteran UI offense should take care of the rest.

So today's treatise will concentrate on the defensive unit and its various question marks. The defensive line won't have last year's depth, the linebackers are inexperienced and the safeties are unsettled.

There was a time last spring where the UI's front four appeared dominant. Look at the changes. Big Floridian D'Angelo McCray transferred to Eastern Illinois. Highly touted Reggie Ellis, a Washington, D.C., all-star, has left and may enroll at New Mexico if coach Mike Locksley can arrange for a scholarship. Senior Sirod Williams was lost for the 2008 season and is gearing for a comeback in 2009. St. Louis end Jerry Brown, a standout pass rusher in the spring, is reportedly gone for academic reasons. Bloomington's Josh Brent was suspended for the first two games last season and his status is currently uncertain as he serves 60 days in jail. With Derek Walker, Will Davis and David Lindquist graduating, the once-imposing front four has gone from thick to thin.

"It doesn't look good for Jerry Brown," Zook said. "There's a pretty good chance he won't be here. He is the only one with serious academic problems. As for Josh Brent, I'll comment later. I hope he can come back, but I have to sit down with Coach (Ron) Guenther when his situation is more clarified."

If Brent is withheld from the opener, that'll mean heavy duty for tackles Sirod Williams and Cory Liuget, and similarly long minutes for ends Doug Pilcher and Clay Nurse. The Illini appear challenged where they looked deep and dominant last August.

Middle of the road

Zook is confident the move of upcoming junior Martez Wilson to middle linebacker will work in much the same way it did for J Leman and Brit Miller.

"I knew Martez would be all right," he said. "The thing people don't realize about Martez is that he is such a powerful guy. If he doesn't know exactly where he's supposed to be, it may look like he's not that fast. But he's on track to have a great fall. Because of all the spread offenses, the tradition of middle linebacker is not like it used to be. But Martez will be fine.

"Lou Hernandez (strength coach) has been happy with the work of Russell Ellington in the weight room. We're counting on him. Nate Bussey had a great spring. He was a quarterback in high school, moved to defensive back here, and now he's a linebacker. I like him because he can cover and, at 226 pounds, he's tough and plays with emotion."

Zook also had positive comments about juco transfer Aaron Gress, Ian Thomas and second-year prospects Justin Staples, Evan Frierson and Nate Palmer.

"It's a concern to have so much inexperience at linebacker, but I'm optimistic," he said. "Frierson may be the most natural linebacker of them all but he was far behind after missing summer camp (late clearinghouse records). During his (redshirt) season, all he did was run the opposing team's defense for us to practice against. I think he'll contribute. And all these guys can help on coverage units with our special teams."

There is much talk about recruiting more linebackers – as though the talent is lacking – but the feeling here is that these young athletes will be more than adequate by mid-season and will turn this into a position of strength by 2010.

Safety valve

The big news is that Donsay Hardeman, hard-hitting safety from Jacksonville, Fla., by way of Georgia Military, has the green light after recovering from neck surgery.

"He has been medically cleared," Zook said. "If we were hitting today, we might hold him out. But the last bone scan came out well. He is working out and has a great attitude. If you look at the history of junior college guys, they tend to improve in the second year. Even though he missed spring, he'll be so much better."

With Hardeman aboard, and the corners set with Tavon Wilson and third-year regular Dere Hicks, secondary coach Curt Mallory will chose from veterans Bo Flowers, Garrett Edwards and Travon Bellamy and sophomore Suppo Sanni for the other safety slot. No all-conference players there, but that's not all bad.

"We didn't get the play out of our safeties that we needed last year," Zook said. "We've had some concerns but the defense made good strides in the last two weeks of spring practice. There'll be fewer freshmen playing this season. Hopefully we've reached the point where we won't have as many. When Ohio State came here last year, I saw a team with 14 or 15 fifth-year guys, and we had 13 freshmen. That makes a big difference."

After consecutive opening losses to Missouri, Zook will emphasize early readiness without overdoing the Border War. But everyone understands that, after a 5-7 downer, an opening victory might give the Illini – fans and players alike – a needed lift.

With the St. Louis series coming to an end after 2010, he said:

"I like the venue and the atmosphere in St. Louis, but I also like the idea of having seven or eight home games. The schedule we're playing this year is tough. We always want an open date and we'd prefer to take it after the fourth or fifth game, but we have to take it where it comes (after the second game with Illinois State). Pushing the season back so far (to Dec. 5 vs. Fresno State) extends the season, and we'll have a little rest before those two (Cincinnati and Fresno). It's almost like a third season."

Loren Tate writes for The News-Gazette. He can be reached at ltate@news-gazette.com.