Illini try to shake mauling by Spartans

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Ron Zook has talked since he was hired by Illinois of the importance of dealing well with adversity, and after Saturday's 61-14 loss to Michigan State the Illini certainly are dealing with it this week.

"This is our first real, true test of adversity," the coach said Tuesday. "How we bounce back, how we handle it and how we compete against a good Iowa football team will determine a little bit about us as a football team and where we're at."

Illinois is preparing for its first Big Ten road trip Saturday to a place where nobody -- except the Hawkeyes -- feels comfortable. Iowa has won 20 straight games at Kinnick Stadium and would set a new school record with a win this week.

For the Illini to overcome their worst loss since a 48-0 defeat by Ohio State in 1996, they must rediscover the effort that led them to a come-from-behind win over Rutgers, a 40-19 win over San Jose State and put them ahead of California 17-7 at halftime. Since then, the Illini have been outscored 89-17 in just six quarters of play.

"Our main goal is just to really go back out there and play with tremendous passion and enthusiasm and effort. That's the main thing we want to clean up from last week's performance," said junior running back E.B. Halsey, adding that he spoke to several of his teammates about their play.

"We expect a lot from guys on this team," Halsey said. "It's something that's been addressed. Guys are really focusing this week."

Zook took some of the blame for Saturday's defeat himself, saying perhaps the coaches let Michigan State's potent offense misguide their planning.

"We had a lot of respect for them and maybe we tried to do some things that we weren't ready to do," he said.

Even so, Michigan State's 705 yards could prompt some lineup changes before Saturday's game in Iowa City, specifically at linebacker and in the secondary, which was picked apart for seven touchdown passes last week.

Despite the lopsided defeat, Monday's practice was no different and the coaching staff has kept an even temper, said placekicker Jason Reda.

"They just want to keep our heads up, keep us focused, put this last game behind us," Reda said. Zook "keeps telling us 'You guys are better than you think. You guys are better than you think."'

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