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| SportsFriday, October 19, 2007 7:38 PM CDT |
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National stage arrives for Illini ... football
Zook suspends 3 freshmen for tonight’s game
CHAMPAIGN — Not long ago, a one-week snapshot of the Illinois football program showed the usual ho-hum preparation, another predictable loss and a lot of talk about basketball. There’s still plenty of chatter about basketball, which is not likely to change on a campus that loves its hoops. But football more than carries its news-making weight these days and heading into tonight’s collision against Michigan, this week has been packed with developments. There was a disappointing loss at Iowa last week, one that ended Illinois’ five-game winning streak and knocked the team from the Top 25. Disappointment at being 5-2? That alone is a major development. Then there was a substantial pay raise and contract extension the university approved for coach Ron Zook. Then there’s this one that Zook didn’t need: Three freshman football players, including wide receiver Brian Gamble, won’t be with the team today following citations they received for being in a local bar at 2 a.m. on Thursday. Zook’s full internal discipline has yet to be disclosed. Zook nevertheless is trying to steer the focus onto a Michigan program that Illinois has not defeated in Champaign since 1983. After a puzzling 0-2 start, the Wolverines have stitched together five straight victories and seem to be hitting their stride. All of which sets the stage for an Illini team that once again has a chance to make a major statement and can do so in prime time on national network TV. No wonder Memorial Stadium is sold out. “We’re looking forward to our stadium looking packed and rocking,” Zook said. “It’s been a while since it’s been like that at night. You have to remember, this is a Michigan team that was picked before the season as national title contenders and that’s just how they’re playing now.” As a former Illini assistant, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr has a high regard for Memorial Stadium. “It has always been, in my opinion, one of the loudest places in the conference,” Carr said. “In watching our videos of the Illinois games, it’s very obvious they have made some great additions to the north end zone. It’s very impressive. “When they get through with it, it’s going to be one of the great stadiums in the country and we know how loud it’s going to be Saturday night.” Illini safety Kevin Mitchell said a key will be stopping Michigan tailback Mike Hart, who is the nation’s leading rusher with an average of 154 yards per game. Hart has been nursing an ankle injury, and Carr has said his playing status will be determined Saturday just prior to game time. “It comes down to having an attitude about tackling,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t tackle as well as we’d like to against Iowa last week. Hart is an excellent back, a very hard runner. We’ll have to make a real effort this week to wrap up.” Joining Hart in the backfield is quarterback Chad Henne, who is back after missing two-and-a-half games with an injury and who seems to have rediscovered his downfield passing threat, wide receiver Mario Manningham. “Henne is the commander and chief out there,” Mitchell said. “He knows what everyone is supposed to do and you can’t teach experience.” Henne is closing in on Michigan’s all-time completion record. As for the other side of the ball, Iowa’s success swarming to tailback Rashard Mendenhall might provide a blueprint for other teams. Zook said it’s just common sense to take away a team’s strength and Mendenhall has been that for the Illini. If the goal is to make Illinois move the ball through the air, the job falls to starting quarterback Juice Williams and to backup Eddie McGee, both of whom might see action, Zook said. Freshman wideout Rejus Benn thinks the passing game is gradually emerging. “I think we’ve been building on it each week,” said Benn, Illinois’ leading receiver. “This is a big-time chance for us to come out and redeem ourselves and show what our passing game is about.” And Benn doesn’t care who’s at quarterback. “I have a connection with both of them,” he said. “I really don’t care who’s back there. They are both quarterbacks and they both like to throw the ball. Just as long as they get it to me.” Michigan vs. Illinois When: 7 p.m., today Where: Memorial Stadium, Champaign Records: Illinois 5-2, 3-1; Michigan 5-2, 3-0 TV/radio: ABC; WTRX-FM (93.7), WPXN-FM (104.9), WJEZ-FM (98.9) Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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GO BLUE wrote on Oct 20, 2007 11:34 AM:
Hey future wrote on Oct 20, 2007 9:19 AM:
From the Future wrote on Oct 19, 2007 9:13 PM:
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