Ron Turner and Antoenio Harris weren't in a good mood last weekend. Both lost football games.

So Harris' decision to join Turner's Illini bucked up the spirits of both and gave viewers an indication that Turner is moving in a positive way, even if he isn't winning any games.

News and notes from Monday's UI practice:

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois' starting quarterback Saturday against Indiana will wear No. 9 ... or No. 13 ... or No. 11.

Illinois' starting quarterback Saturday will be a sophomore ... or a freshman ... or a junior.

Illinois' starting quarterback Saturday will answer to Kirk (Johnson) ... or Tim (Lavery) ... or Mark (Hoekstra).

At this point, that's about as specific as we can get.

   CHAMPAIGN  Every football coach in the Big Ten Conference can point with pride to at least a game or two this season. Except one.

   When the coaches start talking victories, either real or moral, Illinois'' Ron Turner can''t raise his hand.

REVIEW

Every game has a defining moment when the outcome is established. Here's the play from Saturday's Illinois-Purdue game:

CHAMPAIGN – It's too easy to pick on Illinois today. Besides, Purdue got to do it for three hours Saturday.

So instead of rehashing 13 consecutive losses, we'll offer up 13 positives:

CHICAGO – Important business kept Lon Kruger from making a day of Big Ten media day, but no one was going to let Theresa Grentz split early.

While Kruger was back in Champaign seeing prized recruit Corey Maggette off Sunday, the self-described "6-foot blonde who talks like Rosie O'Donnell" was keeping writers writing and cameras rolling at the O'Hare Marriott.

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois safety Robert Jackson made 11 tackles and broke up three passes Saturday. Not bad for a first-time starter.

If not for two missed plays, Jackson's solid debut might have been called spectacular.