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IN THE NEWS

SURGERY NEXT FOR THOMAS

Illinois cornerback MIAMI THOMAS, who missed most of the 2008 season with a torn ACL in his right knee, has torn the ACL in his left knee.

"It's a shame," Illinois coach RON ZOOK said. "I felt so bad for him. A year from now, he'll be ready. He will have had both shoulders and both knees fixed. He should be a 6-million-dollar man."

Zook said Thomas will have surgery on the knee after the swelling goes down, a common practice.

"They'll do it as soon as they can get it done," Zook said. "Obviously, it gives him that much more time to rehab."

FEELING BETTER

Starting offensive guard and Outland Trophy candidate JON ASAMOAH wasn't in uniform Thursday, but he was on the field with his teammates.

Asamoah is recovering from a sinus infection, which has kept him out of workouts during the week.

"That's not a guy I want to push," Zook said. "I want to make sure that he's OK. He's in good spirits. It's driving him nuts right now."

QUICK WORK

The Illini are keeping ahead of schedule during most practices. On Thursday, the team finished about 15 minutes before the session was supposed to end.

Zook reversed the workout, holding the individual period at the end of practice instead of at the beginning.

"We went the same number of plays, they just always seem to go a little bit faster," Zook said. "We go a number of plays. They were getting after it pretty good in the first part."

Why does Zook reverse the practice?

"It kind of breaks it up," Zook said. "It changes the monotony there a little bit. There are only so many drills you can do. You try to keep it as fresh as you can."

KEEP IT GOING

Though Camp Rantoul ends Saturday, the players will stay in training camp mode into next week.

"We'll get into maybe a little bit of scout team stuff," Zook said.

DAILY TESTS

Cornerback DERE HICKS has seen plenty of the Illinois receivers during training camp. And he isn't about to argue against the idea that the group is among the best in the nation.

Preparing daily against ARRELIOUS BENN and friends is good for the cornerbacks and safeties.

"It really helps the defense out," Hicks said.

The Illinois defense wants to help the offense this season by creating more turnovers. Illinois finished with six interceptions last season, tied for 113th in the country.

"Last year, we didn't perform up to expectations," Hicks said.

BLINDSIDE PROTECTION

A year ago, JEFF ALLEN took over at right tackle for injured RYAN PALMER. But with XAVIER FULTON off to the NFL, Allen has moved into the starting spot at left tackle.

"I really don't have a preferred side," Allen said. "I can play either side. Right now, left is the most critical position."

Working day after day against DOUG PILCHER, CLAY NURSE and ANTONIO JAMES helps Allen get ready for the season.

"They're really bringing it," Allen said. "You're not going to win every battle. But the thing is, you've got to win more than you lose. That's what I try to do."

His second Camp Rantoul is much easier than the first, Allen said. A year ago, the January enrollee was like the rest of the freshmen, trying to keep up while learning the offense.

POSITION WATCH: Guard, center

Though starting right guard JON ASAMOAH has missed several days with a sinus infection, it isn't expected to keep him out of the opener. But because of guard JACK CORNELL's sprained ankle, the Illini are trying defensive lineman ANTERIO JACKSON at the position.

ERIC BLOCK continues to hold the starting spot at center. If he takes a series off, it's likely the Illini will slide Asamoah to the position and use redshirt freshman GRAHAM POCIC at right guard.

The left guard spot, which belonged to Block in 2008, is now RANDALL HUNT's. The junior from New Jersey is excited about the chance for extensive playing time this season.

"It feels great," Hunt said. "My whole time here, I've just focused on grinding and keeping my head up and working. To see hard work pay off is a great feeling."

Though he is first on the depth chart, Hunt knows nothing is guaranteed.

"We've got so much competition on the O-line, so many young guys with talent and potential," Hunt said. "You just keep going forward."

Hunt said Block is doing well at center.

"He's a real smart guy," Hunt said. "He just tells us what to do, and we get the job done."

Hunt can't wait for Asamoah to return to the field.

"We need him," Hunt said.

When Cornell returns, he will be the fourth guard. New coach JOE GILBERT has said he plans to rotate players off the bench to give the starters a break.

COACHING CORNER:

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR MIKE WOODFORD

The special teams continue to get plenty of attention during practice. On Thursday, the kickers had extensive field goal work early in the session. Just like they do every day. On a windy day, MATT ELLER and DEREK DIMKE hit most of their tries.

"You're never totally happy because you want them to make every one," Illinois special teams coordinator MIKE WOODFORD said. "But they're both hitting it pretty good right now. There's some competition there."

On Thursday, returns were emphasized. Wednesday's work dealt more with the coverage teams.

"We're taking different phases and concentrating on that phase each day," Woodford said.

The special teams format hasn't been changed drastically since last season.

"We're trying to get the best people in the best spots," Woodford said. "We're trying to get a lot of guys ready in camp, so if we have to plug them in during the season, they'll be ready to go."

ANTHONY SANTELLA is the starting punter, and senior KYLE YELTON is his backup. But there are other options, too, Woodford said.

"We have a few guys we can pull out of the hat," Woodford said.

SCHEDULE

The Illini will have a single practice at 10:45 a.m. Friday. The practice was shifted from the afternoon so the players could go back to Champaign-Urbana and start moving into their dorm rooms and apartments. There is a practice scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Saturday before the team breaks camp.

TODAY'S LIST

ILLINOIS CAREER SACK LEADERS

PLAYER YEARS SACKS

1. Simeon Rice 1992-95 44.5

2. Scott Davis 1983-87 23

3. Fred Wakefield 1997-2000 21

4. Mike Poloskey 1998-91 20

5. Kevin Hardy 1992-95 18

5. Moe Gardner 1987-90 18

7. Will Davis 2005-08 15

7. Terrell Washington 1999-2001 15

7. Mel Agee 1987-90 15

10. Derek Walker 2005-08 14.5

SURVEY SAYS ...

Each day during Camp Rantoul, we will run survey answers from the Illinois football players. Today's guests:

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ANDREW CARTER

Who threw the better first pitch: Juice or President Obama? Juice.

What nonconference team would you most like to play? Florida or Florida State.

Other than your girlfriend, who is your dream date? Pamela Anderson.

All-time favorite sports movie? "The Express."

Must-see TV? "Family Guy."

Complete the following: Camp Rantoul is ... rough but helpful.

Will LeBron stay with the Cavs? No.

Which of your teammates should be a judge on "American Idol"? Jake Feldmeyer.

You are down to your last $20. What are you buying? As much food as I can.

Joe Paterno or Bobby Bowden? Joey P.

Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow? Rejus.

Jay Cutler or Brian Urlacher? Brian Urlacher.

Who are you following on Twitter? What is Twitter?

We've got an AP ballot. Other than Illinois, who should we rank No. 1? Mars Hill College.

LINEBACKER IAN THOMAS

Who threw the better first pitch: Juice or President Obama? Juice.

What nonconference team would you most like to play? Cincinnati.

Other than your girlfriend, who is your dream date? Keri Hilson.

All-time favorite sports movie? "Any Given Sunday."

Must-see TV? "Martin."

Complete the following: Camp Rantoul is ... amazing.

Will LeBron stay with the Cavs? I don't care.

Which of your teammates should be a judge on "American Idol"? Glenn Foster.

You are down to your last $20. What are you buying? Six-piece wings.

Joe Paterno or Bobby Bowden? Joe Paterno.

Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow? Tim Tebow.

Jay Cutler or Brian Urlacher? Brian Urlacher.

Who are you following on Twitter? No one.

We've got an AP ballot. Other than Illinois, who should we rank No. 1? Florida.