Ron Zook’s absence on the sideline won’t be the only difference for Illinois at the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
“I think that (UCLA) is probably going to be surprised at some of the things we can do,” said Vic Koenning, the defensive coordinator who took over as interim coach after Zook was fired at the end of the regular season. “We’ll be a different football team schematically and on special teams.”
Koenning already has put his touches on the program: open practices, personnel changes and a threat to leave some players at home.
“There are some guys who won’t be making the trip,” Koenning told reporters after Monday’s practice.
Citing academics, effort and attitude, he said he only wants players who display commitment.
“We just want guys to be positive and have fun,” Koenning said. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be the guys who started the season or ended the season. We’ll try to get the guys who give us the most chemistry and are having fun and giving us the best practices.”
Fullback Jay Prosch practiced at defensive end Monday — an attempt by Koenning to get the most out of players. He plays about 14-18 snaps per game on offense and could see 10-15 plays on defense in the Dec. 31 bowl game in San Francisco.
After a six-game losing skid that ended the season and culminated in the firing of Zook, Koenning is trying to instill a loose attitude.
He has invited the public to watch portions of practices and said he’ll talk to fans afterward. He wants to unify the team through bonding activities, such as a video game contest, before heading to San Francisco.
Any anti-bowl sentiment on the team has vanished, cornerback Tavon Wilson said.
“Everyone’s on the same page,” he said. “The way we played against Minnesota (in the regular season finale loss) is unacceptable. We’re going to show up and play the way we can play. I feel confident.”
Tickets: Tickets to the bowl game are now available. Lower-level sideline seats are $60 and lower-level end zone seats are $50. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Assembly Hall athletic ticket office, over the phone at 866-ILLINI-1 or at http://bit.ly/KFHBTix.
All-American Mercilus: Defensive end Whitney Mercilus was named to the American Football Coaches Association’s All-America team after finishing the season with nation-highs of 141/2 sacks and nine forced fumbles.
He is the first Illini to be named to the list since J Leman in 2007. Mercilus, a junior, is one of four defensive linemen on the 25-man team.
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