Illini could play seven true freshmen

When freshman receiver Arrelious Benn injured his right shoulder in Illinois' first big scrimmage on Aug. 11, he looked like a longshot to be ready for Saturday's opener against Missouri in St. Louis (2:30 p.m., ESPN2).

But Benn returned to practice last week and has been declared "ready to go" by coach Ron Zook. Benn won't be the only member of Illinois' top-25 recruiting class to see action against Missouri.

Zook envisions linebackers Martez Wilson and Ian Thomas and tackles josh Brent and D'Angelo McCray getting some time on defense, while slot receiver Brian Gamble and tackle Mark Jackson join Benn as the top frosh options on offense.

That's seven true freshmen, which would be a lot for most top programs. However, it's a far cry from the 16 true freshmen who played for last year's team.

"Hopefully our program's getting to a point where we don't have to depend so much on freshmen," Zook said.

Punting in the air: Ron Zook has dragged out Illinois' three-man punting competition about as long as he can.

Or, at least, he has concealed the identity of his punter as long as possible.

Zook, who handles Illinois' special teams, has kept close tabs on incumbent Kyle Yelton, sophomore walk-on Jared Bosch and redshirt freshman transfer Anthony Santella throughout the fall.

Who's most likely to take the first long snap on Saturday in the Edward Jones Dome?

"It depends on which day you ask me," Zook said. "We've got to do something, probably by (today)."

Zook plans to take two punters on the travel squad. Whoever earns the job can't do any worse than last year, when the Illini ranked 117th out of 119 teams in net punting.

"I will say this: We're much improved," Zook said. "We're much better in protection and coverage."

At Illinois' last Saturday scrimmage, freshman Martez Wilson and speedy sophomore wideout Joe Morgan served as the gunners on the coverage team.

Injury update: Sophomore receiver Chris James, who was expected to start in the slot when Illinois' offense went four-wide, will undergo knee surgery to repair a torn ACL.

James suffered the injury during Illinois' first intrasquad scrimmage on Aug. 11, but Ron Zook held out hope the Chicago product would heal.

Instead, he's likely to take a redshirt season, though James told Zook his doctor thinks he could return for the regular-season finale against Northwestern.

In James' absence, junior Will Judson and true freshman Brian Gamble move to the second and third spots on the depth chart. Both will play against Missouri.

Senior fullback Russ Weil (ankle) hasn't practiced in recent weeks, but Zook thinks he might be able to go Saturday. If not, Willowbrook graduate Rahkeem Smith or Walter Mendenhall will get the nod.

Senior safety Justin Sanders (groin) could be limited as well.

Coordinate this: Saturday's opener marks the debut of co-defensive coordinators Curt Mallory and Dan Disch. Mallory, the defensive backs coach, will sit in the press box on game days and make the calls with input from Disch, Ron Zook and defensive line coach Tom Sims.

"We've had a lot of fresh ideas that have come up," Zook said. "I think it's been a very, very productive summer."