Aug. 31, 2005

2004 Record: 3-8 (1-7)
Head Coach: Ron Zook.  Record at Illinois: First year.  Career Record:  23-14
Starters Returning:  Offense 4, Defense 7, Special Teams 0

The Zook era begins.

When the University of Illinois announced last December that Ron Zook would be the new head football coach, he was expected to use his 29 years of coaching experience to turn around a program that has won only four games in the past two seasons.  Now the honeymoon is over, and Coach Zook is ready to play Big Ten football.

"I don't think there is any less pressure- the pressures will be the same," said Zook.  "I don't foresee any difference in the pressure to compete, the pressure to win and to get your program to where it's expected to be."

After being overshadowed by the successful 2004-2005 Illini basketball team, the players and coaches are hoping to bring the same excitement to Memorial Stadium this fall.  After all, it wasn't long ago that Illinois claimed the 2001 Big Ten Championship. 

Along with Zook, nine of Illinois' 10 full-time coaches are entering their first year with the program, including Offensive Coordinator Mike Locksley.  Locksley will need to quickly develop experience and maturity for his quarterbacks.  Junior Tim Brasic looks poised to take the starting position after a solid spring, with only two career games under his belt and no game action since 2003.  Brasic will have to do well early, as redshirt freshman Kisan Lakes has the athletic ability to step in and make big plays.   

The new QB will have options though.  The Fighting Illini running game will be one of the offense's greatest assets this fall.  "The strengths of our football team I would say are in the running backs," explained Zook.  "Not only are we talented there but we've got depth in that position."

The combination of Pierre Thomas and E. B. Halsey poses a tremendous threat to opposing defenses.  Racking up almost 900 yards in 2004,Thomas was the Illini's leading rusher, named as an All-Big Ten honorable mention, and voted the team's Most Valuable Player.  Halsey needs just 14 yards to reach 1,000 for his career, and was among team leaders with five touchdowns on the 2004 season. 

In the slot, Kendrick Jones has the potential to be a star.  The preseason honorable mention All-American enters his second year of being the number one receiver after leading the team with 47 receptions for 687 yards and five touchdowns in 2004.  Fullback Jason Davis and wide receiver Franklin Payne and will also share the catching duties as the returning second and third receivers from last season, respectively.  Tight end Melvin Bryant is poised to have a breakout junior year and will look to be a viable third down option.

The offensive line will try to guide its backs in the right direction this fall, with three returning starters.  Junior Matt Maddox started every game in 2004, and Martin O'Donnell earned freshman All-America status last season.  Also returning is JJ Simmons, a junior who helped the unit pave the way for the Illini runners to earn 1,700 yards on the ground.

Defensive Coordinator Mike Mallory, the only returning coach, will lead the men on the other side of the ball and hope to improve on a season in which they managed only 12 sacks.  The front line will emphasize speed to try and put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which plays right into the style and ability of young defensive ends Xavier Fulton and Derek Walker.  Fulton, played in eight games and started three last season as a true freshman, and Walker, a redshirt freshman will look to make an immediate impact.  At the tackle spots, the Illini will return starters Chris Norwell and Ryan Matha, a combination of youth and experience.

Behind the front line will be two returnees in J Lemen and Anthony Thornhill, along with redshirt freshman Remond Willis.  In 2004, Lemen was named to the Freshman All-Big Ten team, while Thornhill looks to build on experience from a solid freshman season and Willis will be gearing to make an immediate impact.

The Illini defense will rely on the leadership of veteran backs Morris Virgil and Kevin Mitchell.  Virgil made the transition from running back to safety before last year's campaign, starting every game, and with a year under his belt at the new position he will bring leadership and confidence to the defensive unit. 

"I can't let that guy on the other side of the ball beat me.  If we lose a game I feel like I've lost as an individual.  I'm trying to get us back to the Big Ten Championship days and put the `I' back on the map," said the Lott Award candidate.

On special teams, Illinois will return 2004 first-team All-Big Ten punter and pre-season All-American Steve Weatherford.  The 2004 Ray Guy Award semifinalist already holds school records for career and season punting averages, and in the offseason, Weatherford holds the school record in the track and field heptathlon. 

"I feel very good about that part of our game," said Zook about his punter.  "And it's critical, particularly when you're playing in conditions that we play in such as wind and so forth.  It's critical that you're able to kick your defense out of trouble."

Weatherford is one of only 12 returning starters from last year's 3-8 squad who are hoping Zook will be the missing link to a winning season and a bowl game.  Zook and the Fighting Illini are optimistic about their chances to make a mark on the Big Ten Conference standings. 

"Our vision is to have this program be as competitive as any program in the country," said the new coach.  "We have everything available to us and I think all you have to do is look at the athletic department.  We have to go out and earn that respect as well.  When you have a lot to prove sometimes it's a little harder in the beginning but it will come."

The Illinois seniors will work hard to make that vision a reality this season.  Virgil made it clear that, "my goals are the same as every college player here.  We want to be successful.  We want to go out and win games for our football team.  We want to be in a bowl game this year." 

The Illini will have to battle through their Big Ten opponents before they can make their way to a bowl game.  Illinois opens the season non-conference opponents Rutgers and San Jose State, and travel to California.  They then dive into the heart of their conference schedule by hosting Michigan State and traveling to Iowa an Indiana.  Then it's back home for Penn State and Wisconsin, at Ohio State and Purdue, and playing host to Northwestern to wrap up the regular-season schedule.