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Zook looking for answers after loss

CHAMPAIGN – One day later, Illinois coach Ron Zook was still looking for the answer to the question "What happened?"

What happened to his defensive line that had played so well in practice? What happened to his team that looked ready for a challenge when it left Champaign-Urbana on Friday but struggled at the start against Missouri?

"The one thing I said was we were going to know exactly where we were at the end of this game," Zook said. "I think we've got a pretty good idea. There are some things we've got to look at. Obviously, we didn't play the way we thought we would. I'm not ready to throw the towel in."

Zook said Missouri deserves plenty of the credit.

"No. 1, that is a pretty good football team," Zook said. "I don't think there's any question about it. Defensively, offensively, and with that returner (Jeremy Maclin) they've got, they can make some things happen."

Illinois lost despite getting a five-touchdown, 451-yard performance from quarterback Juice Williams. Only two other Illinois quarterbacks have thrown for more yards in a game: Dave Wilson (621) and Tony Eason (479).

"You'd think, obviously, that you'd win the game," Zook said of Williams' numbers. "The defensive guys stood up and told the team that last night after I was done talking."

Going back to the Rose Bowl, Illinois has given up 101 points in its last two games.

"This is our job to do as a coaching staff, but we can't get in games like this and our guys seem like they wonder what's going to happen," Zook said. "We've got to go make things happen. That's still part of the growing process and the learning process that we're in."

Poll position. Zook doesn't have to turn his Top 25 vote in until Tuesday. As of Sunday afternoon, Zook said he hadn't given much consideration as to whether he will keep his own team on the ballot.

On the clock. With 2:53 left in the first half, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams completed a pass to Chris James for 1 yard. For some reason, the clock was stopped, even though the pass was complete and inbounds.

So, instead of running 40 seconds off the clock, Illinois punted to the Tigers, who took over with 2:46 left. The extra 40 seconds proved valuable for Missouri, which scored another touchdown with 20 seconds left to take a 31-13 lead at halftime.

Zook said someone mentioned the stopped clock to him.

"I was just trying to figure out what was going on with the defense," Zook said. "They were going through us like crap through a goose at that time."

Fresh faces. The Illini used 10 first-year freshmen in the game, including former Centennial tailback Mikel Leshoure.

Freshman receiver Fred Sykes started and caught two passes for 37 yards. Others who played were receivers A.J. Jenkins and Cordale Scott, tight end Hubie Graham, defensive backs Supo Sanni and Tavon Wilson, linebacker Russell Ellington, tailback Jason Ford and defensive tackle Corey Liuget.

"I thought there might be a chance of a few of them playing," Zook said. "Some of those are guys who I think down the road, I'm talking three, four, five, six games into the season, are going to be guys we need to have. What better way to get them in it then in a game with that atmosphere."

Television notes. "The Ron Zook Show" changes channels starting tonight, moving from its longtime home on WCIA to WICD. The show will air each Monday at 10:35 p.m. following the local news.

The first installment of "The Journey," airs on the Big Ten Network at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

 

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

THE SITUATION
Illinois leads 13-10 with 9:25 left in the second quarter. Defensive end Derek Walker has just intercepted a pass from Chase Daniel and taken it 34 yards for a TD. The play has silenced the majority of the Missouri fans in the Edward Jones Dome.

THE PLAY
Despite Jeremy Maclin’s talents as a kick returner, Illinois decides to boot the ball to him. Matt Eller’s high kick goes 69 yards to the Missouri 1, where Maclin gathers the ball.

THE RESULT
The hard-charging Illinois coverage team finds itself out of position and Maclin takes advantage. With several Illini getting too close to the end zone, Maclin has just a few to get past. And he does. He finds a gap and by the time he hits midfield, it’s clear he’ll score. Eller makes a run at him but isn’t able to stop Maclin, who completes the 99-yard touchdown return. Amazingly, no official time runs off the clock, with both Walker and Maclin’s touchdowns listed at 9:25.

THE OUTCOME
The Tigers never trail again. They add two more touchdowns before the end of the half for a 31-13 lead. In the third quarter, they push the lead to 25 points before Juice Williams leads an Illinois rally. The final 10-point margin — the highest scoring game in Illinois history — gives the Tigers a 4-0 record against their rivals at the Edward Jones Dome.

THE RECORD (0-1)
Missouri 52    Illinois 42
Saturday    vs. Eastern Illinois, 11 a.m.
Sept. 13    vs. La.-Lafayette, 11 a.m.
Sept. 27    at Penn State, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4    at Michigan, 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 11    vs. Minnesota, 11 a.m.
Oct. 18    vs. Indiana, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25    at Wisconsin, 11 a.m.
Nov. 1    vs. Iowa, TBA
Nov. 8    vs. W. Mich. (Detroit), 11 a.m.
Nov. 15    vs. Ohio State, TBA
Nov. 22    at Northwestern, TBA

PREVIEW
Illinois welcomes Eastern Illinois on Saturday. A quick read on the Panthers:

LAST GAME
The Ohio Valley Conference contenders lost 31-12 Thursday at Division I-A Central Michigan. No disgrace there, with the Chippewas expected to win the MAC West title. The Panthers held Central Michigan superstar Dan LeFevour to 217 passing yards.

WHO TO WATCH
Former N-G All-Stater Bodie Reeder runs the EIU offense. The Wyoming transfer and ex-Mahomet-Seymour star had a solid opener, throwing 28 passes for 201 yards (no INTs). Reeder’s job is to keep the sticks moving and he is good at it. Don’t be surprised if he helps the Panthers win the Ohio Valley.

WHERE TO WATCH
Thanks to Comcast and the Big Ten Network, you won’t have to leave the comfort of your home. The two sides made a deal during the summer, bringing the BTN to area homes. Mediacom, available in several area markets, is also on board.

REASON TO WATCH
It’s Renaissance Day at Memorial Stadium — your first chance to watch a game at the fixed-up building, which is now among the best in the Big Ten. Oodles of former stars will be introduced as part of the celebration.

BY THE NUMBERS
Illinois is 6-0 against the current I-AA teams in the state. The Illini beat Eastern Illinois 42-21 in 2006 and knocked Western Illinois 21-0 in 2007. While most of the games have been lopsided, Southern Illinois almost knocked off Mike White’s 1985 Illini, losing 28-25.

THE RECORD (0-1)
Central Michigan 31    EIU 12
Saturday    at Illinois, 11 a.m.
Sept. 13    vs. Indiana State
Sept. 20    at Illinois State
Sept. 27    vs. Jacksonville State
Oct. 9    at Tennessee-Martin
Oct. 18    vs. Southeast Missouri
Oct. 25    at Eastern Kentucky
Nov. 1    vs. Murray State
Nov. 8    at Tennessee State
Nov. 15    vs. Austin Peay
Nov. 22    at Tennessee Tech

 

 

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