INSIDE SLANT
From the first possession of the season, when All-American candidate Arrelious Benn suffered a high ankle sprain that bugged him much of the fall, none of Illinois’ year went according to script. So it made perfect sense that Illinois’ season ended with a 350-pound guard from Fresno State catching a deflected pass for a victorious two-point conversion.
The Illini finished 3-9 when many in their camp—and several media prognosticators—thought that record would be reversed. But between a raft of early injuries (WR Benn, MLB Martez Wilson, CB Miami Thomas), a bad start by quarterback Juice Williams and a bad showing by the coaching staff, Illinois never approached its potential. The defense, for example, finished last in the Big Ten in points allowed (30.2 ppg), yardage allowed (403.3 ypg) and pass efficiency rating (142.8).
How will Illinois fix these ills? Benn likely will turn pro, though he said after the 53-52 final loss to Fresno State he won’t make a decision until after final exams. Wilson underwent neck surgery and Thomas had knee surgery, so they both should be back in 2010. Williams’ eligibility has expired after 10,594 yards and 19 victories over four years, while the coaching staff figures to be juggled in the wake of athletic director Ron Guenther’s pronouncement during a mid-October loss at Purdue.
Basically, Guenther said that fifth-year coach Ron Zook was safe…but that his assistants would be shuffled.
“I think it was really unfair to start jumping, at the end of the fifth year, on the guy,” Guenther told reporters at Purdue on Oct. 24. “That’s what I wanted to put aside. We’re going to sit down and evaluate certainly. But there is no decision at the top.”
But there’s no timetable on which assistants will go—and when they’ll go—which makes it tough to recruit and replenish the Illini ranks. First-year offensive coordinator Mike Schultz, whose unit averaged 35.4 points in the final five games, allowed that he was headed to his native Texas to recruit … but wouldn’t address his job status.
Zook hasn’t gone into any details about the future, except to suggest that it looks brighter than you might think.
“I think we’re going to see here down the road that (the seniors) laid a great foundation,” he said. “This is a good football team coming back.”
NOTES, QUOTES
Game Of The Year: Missouri 37, Illinois 9—The Illini entered the season opener in St. Louis with big expectations (they were No. 27 in the Associated Press preseason poll), but this definitive loss set the tone for the year. Junior WR Arrelious Benn, projected as an All-American, suffered a high ankle sprain on the game’s third play from scrimmage and the injury lingered much of the year. Meanwhile, Illinois’ secondary set a season-long trend by allowing 319 yards and three TDs without an interception.
Players Of The Year:
RG Jon Asamoah—The three-year starter got off to a slow start after dealing with mononucleosis in the preseason, but he came on strong enough to become Illinois’ only all-Big Ten pick (he was a second-teamer per the coaches and the media). Asamoah ranks among the nation’s best senior guards, so look for him in the NFL next year.
QB Juice Williams—He struggled to fit new offensive coordinator Mike Schultz’ relatively low-risk, low-reward passing game, but he still became the first Illini to cross the 10,000-yard barrier in total yards. He finished his career with 10,594 total yards—good for fifth in Big Ten history.
Fast Forward: Presuming junior WR Arrelious Benn declares for the NFL draft, Illinois must replace its quarterback, its top two receivers, its tight end and two linemen (including second-team all-Big Ten guard Jon Asamoah). The defense loses DE Doug Pilcher, CB Dere Hicks and S Donsay Hardeman. Moreover, athletic director Ron Guenther has promised changes in Ron Zook’s staff after a second consecutive subpar year. Once that’s achieved, everything becomes about Zook in 2010. If the Illini don’t improve, then there’ll be a new sheriff in Champaign in 2011.
Recruiting Trail: Illinois’ struggles are affecting the Class of 2010. Tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, a Top 100 prospect from Johnsburg, Ill., changed his commitment from Illinois to Iowa in November. Safety Corey Cooper, a four-star prospect who committed in the wake of Illinois’ Rose Bowl trip, has been looking around as well.
Quote To Note: “There’s no doubt in my mind the program’s going up. We have some work to do, but we’re not near as far away as it seems.”—Illinois coach Ron Zook in the Chicago Tribune.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Players To Watch In 2010: RB Mikel Leshoure—The bruising sophomore put together back-to-back 100-yard games against Purdue and Michigan and rushed for a career-high 184 yards against Fresno State in the final game. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
RB Jason Ford—This bruising sophomore also put up a pair of 100-yard games as he came on strong down the stretch.
CB Terry Hawthorne—The true freshman, perhaps the highest-profile recruit in his class, started the fall as a receiver with a broken hand. After switching to defense to fill a void, Hawthorne started the last half of the year and made several eye-popping plays. He saved a long touchdown against Michigan with an incredible sprint, then returned an INT for a score against Minnesota and broke up two passes in the end zone against Cincinnati. He also was beaten a few times against Fresno State, which reminded everyone he still has a ways to go.
MLB Martez Wilson—His season ended after the first game with a neck injury, but the junior plans to return as strong as ever in 2010.
Pro Prospects:
RG Jon Asamoah—Big and strong with quick feet, this three-year starter should go in the first three rounds. He’s also an academic whiz, which should make him even more palatable to NFL scouts. Look for him at the East-West Shrine Game.
WR Arrelious Benn—The junior was projected as a high first-round selection during the preseason, so it’ll be interesting to see whether he’s downgraded for several nagging injuries (ankle, head, etc.) that limited him to 38 catches for 490 yards and 2 TDs this season.
TE Michael Hoomanawanui—This 270-pound senior’s production never matched his skills due to injury and a misguided offense. “Uh-Oh” caught 25 passes as a junior, but managed just 10 catches in 2009 as he missed four games with a high ankle sprain. Hoomanawanui also was one of the first to accept an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game.
Roster Report:
• MLB Martez Wilson injured his neck in the opener against Missouri and underwent season-ending surgery. Hypothetically he could get some work during spring ball, but coach Ron Zook usually chooses to be cautious when bringing back his guys—particularly guys who’ve proven themselves. The junior is eligible for a redshirt year, which would give him two years of eligibility.
• CB Miami Thomas was in the running for a starting job, but he suffered a knee injury during fall camp and required surgery. That’s the second consecutive year his season ended with knee surgery. As with Wilson, look for Thomas to be ready later than sooner…but Illinois hopes he can contend for a job in 2010.
• S Garrett Edwards dislocated his shoulder in the finale against Fresno State. Between that and his injured labrum, Edwards will need surgery that could cost him spring ball.
