Zook doesn't want repeat of dustup
Check out our video preview of the Spartans here
CHAMPAIGN – Ron Zook isn't bringing a flag with him to East Lansing. And his players won't have one either.
Four years ago, Zook earned his first Big Ten win as Illinois coach at Michigan State. Afterward, some of his excited players planted a flag at Spartan Stadium, setting off a brief scuffle.
"That was so blown out of proportion," Zook said. "It would probably have never happened had they not seen it the week before, them doing it at Notre Dame. Believe me, (the Illini) didn't plan, 'Hey, if we win this game, we're going to go do something silly like that.' We hadn't won enough games to be thinking like that."
Zook doesn't want any postgame celebrations.
"I advise against all of that stuff," Zook said. "Obviously, we want them to act the way they should act."
Missing Spartan
Michigan State will play against Illinois without cornerback Chris L. Rucker, who was arrested during the weekend on a DUI charge.
Rucker is the team's No. 2 tackler and has an interception. He is third on the team with four passes defended.
Ford staying
Contrary to what you might have read on Twitter, Zook said running back Jason Ford isn't leaving Illinois.
Ford's account included recent comments that he was tired of his role and wanted to return home.
"We talked to him (Monday) night," Zook said. "Jason's fine. I was a little shocked. I'm still not so sure it was him that posted it.
"The guy is practicing his tail off. He's doing everything that's asked of him."
Opportunity knocks
Zook's players are excited about the chance to play the undefeated Spartans.
"We definitely have a winning attitude going into this week," linebacker Martez Wilson said.
"This win would be huge for us. Hopefully, we get this win and we continue to keep the streak going and win out for the rest of the season."
Two weeks ago, the Illini played then-No. 2 Ohio State. The Buckeyes, who beat the Illinois 24-13, have since moved to No. 1.
"We knew when we faced this part of our schedule, we were going to face some really good teams," Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase said. "Michigan State's really done a great job in their ballgames of just finding ways to win, with the crazy Notre Dame game. Going up to Ann Arbor and beating Michigan is no easy task.
"You could argue that they are one of the best teams in college football right now. They've been playing the hottest on offense and defense."
Scheelhaase is 1-1 away from home as a college starter, beating Penn State and losing to Missouri. The Illini led by 10 points in that game before the Tigers rallied in the second half.
The redshirt freshman quarterback had a no-turnover game against Penn State. Early in the fourth quarter, with the Illini controlling the game, many in the homecoming crowd headed home.
"In high school, I always liked playing away games and having the odds against you," Scheelhaase said. "I also like the early starts. It's almost gametime when you get up. We're kind of used to these early starts."
Scheelhaase has heard tales of Spartan Stadium. Like at Iowa, the stands are close to the field.
"I'm sure they're excited about the way their football team has started," Scheelhaase said.
Coaching corner
Zook said he looks forward to seeing Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio on the sidelines Saturday. Dantonio, who is recovering from a heart attack, spent time during the Michigan game in the press box.
"I'm glad Coach Dantonio is going to be coaching there and is doing well," Zook said.
"It kind of puts things in perspective. This game is big and all, but when you're dealing with your health it's a much bigger thing."
Scheelhaase said it would be difficult to play without his coach.
"That's obviously a tough thing to go through," Scheelhaase said. "In high school, I my coach (Tony Severino) tore his quad and was up in the press box. Even that was a little different.
"That's why you do have good assistants and good coordinators, so they can hold the weight when something like that happens. They've been finding a way to get it done regardless of what's going on around them."
Totalillinifan, thats a bunch of crap! It doesnt matter if a player has a kid or not!! Jason Ford is a great running back and will get his carries. It was a bad judgement on his part to use twitter anyway but kids do these things.'
Whatsamatta..first you couldnt think of a different name? next Illinois may lose, but they wont get blown out like that!! I however have them picked to win! Bank on it!! lol
Jason's a smart kid and he knows that if he helps Mikel keep up the good stats, he leaves for the NFL. Then Jason gets to be #1 and gets the same amount of PT that Mikel is getting this season. It's not hard to figure that out. Being second string to a guy who is the #11 running back in the entire country is a lot better than being the #1 running back on a team that has a lousy running game.
And Whatsamattau actually thinks that MSU has a better defense than OSU? If so, you're nuts.
Just for fun take a look at the national defensive rankings here:
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year...v=IA&dest=O
We're at #20 while MSU is at #42. Doesn't seem to match up with your white flag prediction. LOL
News from Western PA (Pittsburgh area) for recruiting?
Week 7 Alle-Kiski football preview
By Valley News Dispatch
Thursday, October 14, 2010
About the writer
Class A
Eastern Conference
Northgate (2-4, 2-3) at Riverview (4-2, 3-2)
Noon Saturday
About Northgate: The Flames struggled on offense and were shut out by Leechburg, 2-0, last week. Northgate has been held scoreless twice this year but also scored 54 points in a win over Wilkinsburg in Week 5. The Flames hope to make the WPIAL playoffs after being realigned from Class AA but are close to being eliminated from contention.
About Riverview: The Raiders snapped a two-game losing streak with a 48-0 win over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart last week. That was Riverview's first shutout since beating Leechburg in Week 4 of 2009. Riverview has won three of four meetings with Northgate, but they haven't played since 1991.
Springdale (5-1, 4-1) at Wilkinsburg (1-5, 1-5)
1:30 p.m. Saturday
About Springdale: The Dynamos are riding a four-game winning streak and have allowed only two points in their past two games combined. This is Springdale's first Saturday afternoon game of the season. Last year, the Dynamos rolled over Wilkinsburg, 48-12.
About Wilkinsburg: The Tigers notched the 500th win in program history with a 26-21 victory over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Week 4. However, that's their only victory in the last two seasons. Wilkinsburg lost to Bishop Canevin, 57-27, last Saturday.
Leechburg (2-4, 2-3) vs. Bishop Canevin (5-1, 4-1) at Dormont Stadium
7 p.m. Saturday
About Leechburg: The Blue Devils have put together a two-game winning streak in the same season since winning the first and second games of 2001. Leechburg allowed only nine points in wins over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Northgate combined.
About Bishop Canevin: This game will be played at Dormont Stadium, which the Crusaders share with Keystone Oaks. The Crusaders hold a 3-0 lead in the all-time series, with the last win coming in 2003. Bishop Canevin has dominated all of its opponents except Springdale, which beat the Crusaders, 35-0, in Week 5.
Class AA
Allegheny Conference
Shady Side Academy (3-3, 2-2) at Apollo-Ridge (0-6, 0-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday
About Shady Side: The Indians are in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference with Burrell and Summit Academy. Shady Side has plenty of motivation, considering the top four teams in each conference make the WPIAL playoffs. Shady Side blanked Apollo-Ridge, 21-0, last season.
About Apollo-Ridge: The Vikings are riding a six-game losing streak. In the final two games of last season, Apollo-Ridge defeated Valley and West Shamokin. Last week, the Vikings were tied with Freeport, 7-7, at halftime but surrendered 28 unanswered points in the second half.
West Shamokin (0-6, 0-4) at Ford City (6-0, 4-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
About West Shamokin: The Wolves' losing streak reached 30 games when they were shut out by Deer Lakes last week. West Shamokin has been outscored, 277-34, this season. Last year, the Wolves scored only 17 points, so they are taking a small step in the right direction.
About Ford City: The Sabers are 6-0 for the first time since 2007, when they captured their last conference title. Ford City's final three regular-season opponents — West Shamokin, Apollo-Ridge and Burrell — have a combined record of 3-15. The Sabers have allowed only 43 points this season, or 7.2 per game.
Class AAA
Greater Allegheny Conference
Knoch (6-0, 3-0) at Kittanning (1-5, 1-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
About Knoch: The Knights are 6-0 for the first time since 2002, when they went 9-2 and advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals. Knoch used a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense to beat Indiana, 27-7, last week. The Knights defense has recorded two shutouts this year and just missed a third last week. Indiana scored on a fumble return.
About Kittanning: The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 16-13-1. The teams last met in 2003, and Kittanning won, 28-21. The Wildcats competed in Class AA from 2004-09. Kittanning defeated winless Valley, 29-17, last week.
Valley (0-6, 0-4) at Highlands (3-3, 1-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
About Valley: The Vikings are winless but always look forward to the "Battle of the (Tarentum) Bridge." The all-time series is tied, 13-13, so this game is for extra bragging rights. Valley is coming off a disappointing 29-17 loss to previously winless Kittanning.
About Highlands: The Golden Rams defeated Valley, 32-0, in a Week 10 non-conference game last season. Valley competed in Class AA last year and was realigned into AAA during the offseason. Highlands will try to jump-start its offense after a 3-1 start was slowed by losses to Plum (35-7) and Mars (21-0).
Class AAAA
Quad East Conference
Altoona (0-6, 0-4) at Plum (3-3, 0-3)
7 p.m. Friday
About Altoona: The Mountains Lions are looking for their first win since joining the WPIAL this year. Altoona suffered close losses to Fox Chapel (16-10) in Week 3 and Penn Hills (17-9) last week. The Mountain Lions belong to District 6 in all other sports.
About Plum: The Mustangs are 0-3 in conference play but still are in contention for a WPIAL playoff berth. Plum's last three opponents — Altoona, Fox Chapel and Kiski Area — have a combined record of 3-15. Last week, the Mustangs lost to top-ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 33-6.
Kiski Area (2-4, 2-1) at Woodland Hills (3-3, 3-1)
7 p.m. Friday
About Kiski Area: The Cavaliers quietly have pushed into the middle of the battle for a WPIAL playoff berth. Kiski Area had won two games in a row before suffering a 49-7 loss at No. 2-ranked North Allegheny last week. Running back Aaron Frye, one of only eight seniors on the Kiski Area roster, has rushed for seven touchdowns this season.
About Woodland Hills: The Wolverines won the WPIAL championship last season but are .500. However, Woodland Hills has won its past two games by a combined score of 82-14 and might be hitting its stride. The Wolverines won last year's matchup with Kiski Area, 36-7.
Fox Chapel (1-5, 1-2) at Penn Hills (3-3, 2-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
About Fox Chapel: The Foxes have notched only one win — a 16-10 decision over Altoona in Week 3 — but are in the thick of the chase for a WPIAL playoff berth. Fox Chapel has played its past two games without standout running back Montay Green, who sat out for a school-related matter. Last week, the Foxes lost to Woodland Hills, 38-7.
About Penn Hills: The Indians have alternated between wins and losses this season. Last week, Penn Hills senior quarterback Phil Morford passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns in a 17-9 win over Altoona. Last year, the Indians rolled to a 48-7 victory over Fox Chapel.
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