Mid-Illinois embarrassing 3-9 season in 2009, athletic director Ron Guenther promised there would be a total change of coaching staff. When the dust settled, sixth-year head coach Ron Zook was surrounded by six assistants – including a new offensive coordinator (Paul Petrino) and defensive coordinator (Vic Koenning), they were promised the opportunity to handle thingswill.
Petrino and Koenning Illinois used 15 springs training to accelerate the deployment of their systems. And although there were early learning problems that come with major changes, Zoo went into the offseason excited about the way his coaches and players attacked the problem areas.
“If there’s one thing that kind of foot to me this spring is the challenging part,” said Zoo.”When we ask for something, we’re getting. This is perhaps one of the issues that were not getting before. When you say you have to do something, we’re getting to do and we are holding them on fire. I think that is important. And I think the relationship with the coaches and players has been really fun this spring. … In the end they love to be trained the way they are being trained and required to do things the way you require them to both sides of the ball. It was a breath of fresh air for me. “
However, will take a lot of breathing and require a lot of turn around a program that has a lot of question marks. The offense lost three NFL draft picks (WR Arrelious Benn, RG Jon Asamoah and Michael Hoomanawanui TE) over four years starting quarterback Juice Williams and center Eric Block.
Redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase, a dual-quarterback threat, had a solid lead in the classic Williams to succeed, but betrayed his inexperience by throwing two interceptions in the official game of the spring of Illinois. The process of maturation will be a constant theme in the fall, like that of the receiving corps and that returns a more than 16 catches.
As for the defense of Koenning renovated during the spring was found complaining about things and remedial, according to the technique of its players and fans cope with their strange for demonstrative celebrations after the mediocre works. He found some building blocks (including junior defensive tackle Corey Liuget), but several possible moves avoided contact in the spring to heal injuries.
Notes, quotes
“Although Illinois stank so many facets of the game during its 3-9 campaign in 2009, the offense still found a way to finish 17th nationally in rushing with 200.4 yards per game. There is the possibility of repairing the Illini will be equal to or better than those numbers in 2010, despite Juice Williams (507 yards, four touchdowns) has graduated and the regime has changed since the option to extend more than a pro-style attack.
Why so optimistic? Because the ability probable new QB Nathan Scheelhaase to run with the ball is at least as great as that of Williams, while junior Mikel Leshoure Jason Caravan and Ford are a surprising combination that figures for Illinois to allow a runner to play cool in all times.Leshoure, a striker who uncovered a touchdown pass of 75 yards in the spring scrimmage Illinois, sent a team-high 734 yards and an average of 6.8 in 2009. Ford, which also operates with a low center of gravity, produced 588 yards and an average of 6.1 in 2009.
“With only 36 turnovers forced in the past two seasons, Illinois is among the least prolific teams in the nation in that crucial category. Sixth year head Coach Ron Zook wanted to see improvement in his defensive takeaways during the spring and the ball did just that. The trend certainly carried over to the official game of the spring as the defense stacked four interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 93 plays.
“The only thing we did defensively is that we have achieved a turnover of more than the best we’ve seen in the past,” said Zook, Illini taking into account forced only 16 turnovers in 12 games last season. ”Which is good for defense? It is clear that the offense has to take care of the football. We can not have turnovers.”
SPRING MOVERS:
QB Nathan Scheelhaase – started spring ball in a tie with the second Jacob Charest and principles Chandler Whitmer affiliate, but this first year of red shirt Kansas City took control of competition for three reasons: He has the best mobility best leadership skills and in fact most of the works. While the coaching staff did not taint Scheelhaase as a starter, is undoubtedly the leader to start Sept. 4 opener against Missouri.
A.J. WR Jenkins – Everyone expected the junior transfer after a sad season 2009 (10 catches, 123 yards), but Florida eventually decided to stay and eventually became the main receiving corps featured in offensive coordinator Paul Petrino. He shared the Offensive Player award most improved with C Grahm Pocico.
C Graham Pocico – After trying unsuccessfully to get into the lineup at tackle and guard, these four-star recruits moved to the center line and earned a starting job. Could be the central Illinois for the next three years.
DT Akeem Spence and Glenn Foster – If senior starter Josh Brent did not regain his academic eligibility, then these young people must be central to the front of the rotation. Foster is a sophomore who converted from defensive end, while Spence, a freshman redshirt, is 6-foot-1, 305-pound fire hydrant that is almost unbreakable.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We have to mesh better. We have to be there for them know exactly what everyone is going to do. It is built during the summer.” - Redshirt rookie quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase offer their plans for the offseason Champaign News-Gazette.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
OUTLOOK 2010: After serving as the Big Ten most disappointing team of two consecutive years, the Illini are trying to build its way back into the fray with a bowl completely new looks on both sides of the ball. New offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, the younger brother of Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, has installed multiple crime family. Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning New, who turned Clemson and Kansas State in recent years, has set his style plans to be a front of eight men with lots of bells and whistles. The Illini must play an inexperienced quarterback and there are several question marks on defense, so a .500 season would probably be considered successful enough to save the post Ron Zook.
Scouting the offense: When Petrino was introduced as the new organized crime, observers estimated more traditional style (complete with curls up and quarterbacks in the center) would not be the best choice for heir Juice Williams, Nathan Scheelhaase. Known as a magician spread option-with his fleet feet, freshman redshirt Scheelhaase was the best of the three quarterbacks this spring and figures to start Sept. 4 opener against Missouri. Since he has yet to take a snapshot of the varsity, will depend largely Scheelhaase junior tag team riders Jason Ford and Mikel Leshoure. These thugs were combined for 1.322 yards, nine touchdowns and 6.4 yards per carry in 2009. Fayson Jar Jack Ramsey and are the best returning receivers with 16 sacks each, while there will be at least two new starting O-linemen. Projected starting left tackle Corey Lewis suffered a torn ACL in the spring game and will miss the season.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Yes starts at defensive tackle Josh Brent can not recover his final year of eligibility (which suspended after the fall semester and went to the local junior college to do well), then the Illini should find at least two defensive linemen and two safety devices for a defense that surrendered 30.2 points per game last year. Koenning plans call for a “bandit” who is a linebacker pass-rusher/coverage hybrid, but not many players who meet the qualifications.Wiry sophomore-to-be Michael Buchanan could run this place tent over time. Junior and senior DT Corey Clay Liuget nurse flashes of brilliance, while showing MLB Martez Wilson has the athleticism to become a huge factor. A key question: Can Wilson Tavon junior and sophomore Terry Hawthorne become above average in the corners? Zook praised Wilson shows the spring-ball.
SCOUTING special teams: Junior kicker Derek Dimka took over Matt Eller last season and maintained his advantage in spring ball. He made five of his field goals and 12 extra points in his career. Punter Anthony Santella returns for his fourth year as a starter. His average has improved each year in which issued 41.3 yards per boot in 2009. Illinois has been poor returning punts and kicks the last two years, but the cornerback Terry Hawthorne should be an improvement in both squads return if given the chance.
LIST OF REPORT:
-DT Lendell S Buckner and Walter Aikens, a pair of defensive underclassmen, were arrested during spring ball at different times by the same incident. Buckner, who redshirts their first year in the fall, was suspended indefinitely after being arrested on suspicion of burglary. Aikens, who started a handful of games as a true freshman and appeared on track to begin this fall, was suspended after being arrested for possession of 23 April of stolen property,.
-MLB Martez Wilson (neck surgery) and CB Miami Thomas (knee surgery) is confined to individual drills during spring ball as they continued to recover that cost virtually all of the 2009 season. Wilson will start probably in the autumn, while Thomas should not be worse than the third corner.
-Junior DT Josh Brent expelled from school and connects to nearby Parkland Junior College in an attempt to regain his eligibility. If Brent pulls through it will most likely regain his starting job, but Illinois might not know his fate until fall camp approaches.
Garrett-S, Edwards decided not to return for his senior year of eligibility. Edwards was the most experienced security Illinois with 16 starts over the past two years.
Green-RB Justin broke his ankle midway through exercises in the spring. It is too early to know if it will be ready for fall camp. As a top speed of Illinois back, but overall No. 3 in the lineup, that fills a niche for the Illini.