2008 Illinois Illini

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Rivals.com College Football - Talented Illini want success to continue

It was a rags-to-riches campaign in Champaign last season, but will the good times last? Though the majority of its starters return, Illinois must replace three All-Big Ten players, including star tailback Rashard Mendenhall. Although capable tailbacks remain and good ones are coming in, the emphasis this spring figures to be on upgrading the passing offense, which ranked 109th in the nation a year ago. Here's a look at the Illini as they prepare to begin spring practice.

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Scout.com: 2008 Spring Preview - Top 40 Non-Conf. Games

2. Illinois vs. Missouri (in St. Louis), Aug. 30
Who could've ever guessed that last year's 40-34 Missouri win over the Illini, with Illinois coming up with a big late comeback to make it close, would've been a battle between two teams that would've combined for 21 wins? As strange as it still might seem for the long time basketball rivals, this football showdown is far, far bigger with BCS implications.

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http://illinois.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=791776

spring practice update. talks about the offense and defense and specific players on each.

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The News-Gazette.com Weblog

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 11:20 AM

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois football coach Ron Zook said today that five players will miss spring practice to concentrate on academics.
Defensive end Jerry Brown, receiver Brian Gamble, cornerback Marcus Thomas and offensive linemen Mark Jackson and Brandon Jordan will not participate in drills that start Wednesday.

"This isn't about eligibility, but we need to make sure our players understand the priorities of this program," Zook said. "Our student-athletes are here to get an education first and that will be our emphasis for these five young men over the next four weeks."

Don't know much about the others but the fact Gamble and Jackson are having trouble is hardly surprising...

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a couple of them are being punished for missing study halls, including Gamble. But w/e Gamble missed couldnt have been that serious b/c he was back at practice yesterday.

The other guys....not so much

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ESPN - Rittenberg: Big Ten notebook - College Football

Brit Miller has dislodged a helmet or two during his football career, but around the Illinois locker room, he's better known for swiping them.

The senior linebacker is the pied piper of pranksters on a Fighting Illini squad filled with them. His favorite gag involves taking a teammate's headgear, taping weights to the inside, then depositing it in the cold tub.

"There's no easy way to get that out," Miller said. "If you've got a big-time weight in there, you have to go underwater and pick it up. And that's not good."

Fullback Rahkeem Smith was the most recent to go diving for his helmet.

"It took a while," Miller said. "And he's not a fan of the cold tub, either, so he was pretty reluctant to get in there."

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Running back Walter Mendenhall is transferring from Illinois. Mendenhall was expected to compete for the starting job vacated by his superstar brother, Rashard, but he's looking for a school where he can use his final season of eligibility.

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Scout.com: Duvalt Excited About New Start At Wideout

By Jack Lyman
Insideillini.com staff
Posted Mar 30, 2008

Spring is a time for experimentation. The Fighting Illini football team is looking to bolster its receiving corps, and one player eager to fill the gap is Chris Duvalt. So far, the move seems to be working out well for the erstwhile cornerback and kick return specialist.

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Scout.com: Football Practice Report #3

By Jack Lyman
Staff Member
Posted Mar 30, 2008

The Fighting Illini football team donned full pads for the first time Saturday in the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility. Enthusiasm was high as the team got to strut its stuff for a large contingent of visiting recruits and their families.

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Scout.com: Pry Excells As Coach And Recruiter

By Jack Lyman
Insideillini.com staff
Posted Apr 21, 2008

One of the reasons for Illinois' success in football has been the great staff assembled by head coach Ron Zook. A good example of this Jim Pry, who is developing some excellent slot receivers and tight ends while doing a bangup job recruiting the state of Pennsylvania.

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Scout.com: Post Spring Zook Q@A: Very Pleased Overall

By Frank Frangie
Publisher
Posted Apr 26, 2008

Another spring behind him, Ron Zook now sends his team off to what he often reminds them is the "the longest phase" -- the summer off-season. But does he send them off pleased with what he saw in the spring? And what are the key areas for his football team as it tries to repeat and even improve on a breakout season? Zook discussed all of that and more in this post-spring Q&A.

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And here's a good gallery from the Tribune:

Illinois spring football -- chicagotribune.com

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Rivals.com College Football - Arkansas' Smith looks to outrun the shadows

STEPPING IN THEIR SHOES

Illinois

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh, 23rd overall
The skinny: Junior Daniel Dufrene is the most experienced candidate, but he spent too much time dancing this spring instead of immediately hitting the hole. He probably will split carries with true freshmen Mikel LeShoure and Jason Ford. Don't be surprised if star receiver Arrelious Benn also spends time in the backfield.

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Ron Zook conducts clinic in recruiting ingenuity -- ChicagoSports.com

Speaking at high schools gives Illini football coach a decided recruiting edge

Teddy Greenstein | ON SPORTS MEDIA AND COLLEGES
10:26 PM CDT, May 14, 2008

As far as breakthrough ideas go, it ranks somewhere between electricity and the kicking tee.

In February, Ron Zook pondered the best response to the NCAA's so-called "Saban Rule," which prevents head coaches from evaluating recruits on the road in the spring.

So when an official at Zook's old high school in Loudonville, Ohio, called and asked him to return to conduct a clinic, the Illinois coach wondered if this could be his ticket to campuses.

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