CHAMPAIGN — The season's first sellout crowd — 60,670 — didn't help.

What they saw was an Illini collapse that had Ron Zook befuddled as the losing streak reached four.

"We've got to get our offense going, and I'm not exactly sure how we're going to do it," puzzled the Illini coach. "I thought we'd play lights out. We moved the ball in the two-minute mode, but we never got the running game going."

Illinois, once a rushing leader among Big Ten teams, netted 37 yards on 33 carries while Michigan's darting halfback, Fitzgerald Toussaint, rattled off 192 in a decisive 31-14 verdict. QB star Denard Robinson added 30 before sitting out most of the second half with a wrist injury.

Illinois hasn't scored in the first 41 minutes of the last four games, didn't reach the 50-yard line Saturday until the last two minutes of the third quarter and, for the fourth straight game, didn't get a field goal from standout kicker Derek Dimke.

It left the early-departing crowd grumbling ever more about Zook's failures (34-49 in nearly seven seasons) and wondering out loud whether freshman Reilly O'Toole deserves a longer shot at QB. These are, of course, routine gripes throughout the football world where losing coaches are hammered and second-team quarterbacks are always the campus favorite. But the outcry becomes louder every Saturday.

Early hole

Illinois was fresh after a week off, and Michigan arrived carrying bruises from a 24-16 loss at Iowa.

But Michigan's fast-moving offensive line systematically chopped Illinois to pieces early, the eager hosts over-running Toussaint and allowing productive cutbacks. The sophomore sprinted 65 yards in the first series to set the tone.

"We had people there all day and it was like tackling a ghost," defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said. "We've been getting away with blitzes, and we didn't today. We had the right coverage when they made it 24-7 (a 27-yard catch by Martavious Odoms). They crossed receivers into a rotating zone, but our safety went the wrong way. We made mistakes, and we missed tackles."

Actually, the Illini dodged multiple bullets when backed down in the second quarter. Michigan was repulsed at the 1-yard line, lost a fumble after reaching the 13 and missed a field goal after penetrating to the 19. Michigan kept the pressure on. Illinois, meanwhile, appeared weaker than ever up front with guard Hugh Thornton sidelined and had only a solitary first down at halftime. Nuff said.

On the block

How many times do you see a basketball box score with more blocks (13) than turnovers (12)?

Those were the UI's numbers Friday as Bruce Weber tested a revised lineup with 7-1 Meyers Leonard and 6-11 Nnanna Egwu side by side on the frontline. OK, it's true that Loyola played two forwards and no centers, so it's too early for conclusions.

But it's worthy of an extended look. Weber hasn't employed this combination much in practice. The lankies usually go against each other. But there was something intimidating to see them together because they play extremely high, they're both racehorses, and they're just beginning to mature.

The question is whether these two can stay out of foul trouble long enough to play at the same time. Prior to Friday, it was presumed they would sub for each other.

Costly losses

As a follow-up to the report on the UI's financial emphasis on women's basketball over volleyball, Friday provided the following numbers:

Kevin Hambly's team downed Penn State in straight sets before 3,905 feverish fans in an uproarious atmosphere at Huff.

Earlier Friday, the basketball team was routed by South Carolina at the Assembly Hall. At halftime, the Illini's turnover-to-assist ratio was 11-1. The Illini clung within 36-31 early in the second half but quickly swooned to the extent of trailing by 30.

As for the turnout, I was seated on the east side and counted all the fans on the opposite side. The number was 125. It was similar on my side. Let's estimate the total at 300-plus ... in a frigid atmosphere that won't have the fire marshals concerned.

And Jolette Law's team soon will travel to Oregon, California, Clemson, San Juan and Las Vegas, which is no small expense.

Tate's tidbits

— If Penn State is looking for a cleanup savior to salve a ripped-up campus, the university needs to look no further than Stan Ikenberry, who completed a similar task at Illinois. Ikenberry isn't looking for a job, but he is the perfect fit.

— Most relieved coach in America: That would be Ed DeChellis, who left a severely weakened Penn State basketball program to conclude his coaching days at Navy ... where he peacefully watches the yachts coming into the harbor while the furor grows in Unhappy Valley.

— Michigan State's lack of depth was apparent in the 67-55 loss to North Carolina aboard the USS Carl Vinson. Tom Izzo's reserves went 4 for 20 from the field.

— The UI's loss at Purdue doesn't look so bad. The Boilermakers are 5-1 at home after upsetting Ohio State, their only home loss coming to Notre Dame.

Mood check

Why I Feel Young ...

Actually, I don’t. I hit bottom on a 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday. Shouldn’t have worked out that morning. Checked in at the office, chased down Loyola coach Porter Moser, more Penn State talk at lunch, a student interview, the women’s basketball game at 3:30, quick trip to entertain dinner guests at the I Hotel, and a busy night of basketball at the Hall. Home at 11, asleep at 11:10. Don’t ask about Saturday.

Why I Feel Old ...
See associated paragraph. Girls, how about a respirator for Christmas?

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