Illinois defensive backs coach Curt Mallory coached defensive backs at Indiana the last three seasons and Illini graduate assistant Joe Cullen was the Hoosiers’ defensive coordinator/defensive line coach in 2002 and 2003 under Gerry DiNardo. New Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner has restructured the Hoosiers’ offense so the insights of Mallory and Cullen on Saturday’s game will be limited to their familiarity with the players’ capabilities and tendencies.
According to Illinois coach Ron Zook, Mallory “has nothing but good things to say about (Hoosiers quarterback) Blake Powers. He’s an athletic guy who’s an accurate passer and he can run and make things happen. He’s a leader; he’s not going to get rattled.”
Five Illinois starters are from Indiana: tight end Melvin Bryant, offensive tackle J.J. Simmons, punter Steve Weatherford, cornerback Charles Bailey and safety Kevin Mitchell.
