From ashes of blowout loss, Illini saw their fortunes rise

Most sports fans in this state probably never noticed that Illinois played host to Penn State on Oct. 22, 2005.

In a fortuitous bit of scheduling, the Illini's 95th homecoming game was slated directly opposite the White Sox' dramatic World Series Game 1 win over Houston.

But Illinois coach Ron Zook, standing helplessly on Memorial Stadium's west sideline, couldn't help but witness the carnage.

Penn State, which would go on to share the Big Ten title and win the Orange Bowl, scored touchdowns on eight of its first nine possessions to build a 56-3 halftime lead.

The eventual 63-10 final margin became known as the Illini's most-lopsided home loss.

Ever.

"Could've been worse," Zook cracked Tuesday, remembering how Joe Paterno pulled his starters at halftime. "They could've set a new NCAA scoring record."

Zook can smile about that memory now, what with his Illini riding the school's first three-game winning streak since 2001 into Saturday's home game with the 21st-ranked Nittany Lions.

But on that chilly Saturday night, Zook didn't know how or what to think.

"I remember being on the (head)phones and saying to the coaching staff, 'Somebody help me,' " Zook said. " 'I've never been here before.' What do you say? What do you do?

"After the game, walking in (to the locker room), it just kind of came out of my heart. 'Fellas, this is as bad as it's ever going to get. Tonight is as bad as the program is ever going to be. And from here, we're going to start and we're going to go forward.' "

Crazily enough, according to Zook, Illinois started building momentum the next day when cornerback Vontae Davis gave his oral commitment.

Davis, now an all-Big Ten-caliber sophomore, has been a starter from Day One on one of the most experienced and accomplished defenses in the country.

According to the NCAA stats, Illinois ranks 19th nationally in rushing defense (87.0 ypg), 50th in pass efficiency (119.05 points) and 28th in scoring defense (18.5 ppg).

And the Illini are doing it with several of the same guys who endured the Penn State humiliation two years ago.

Seven of the 11 defensive starters on that October night in 2005 -- DE-turned-OT Xavier Fulton, DT Chris Norwell, DE Derek Walker, OLB Brit Miller, MLB J Leman, SS Kevin Mitchell and FS Justin Harrison -- will start Saturday against Penn State.

All except Fulton started last year's game in Happy Valley, when the defense surrendered just 184 total yards and 10 points.

"That was one of the games where we realized we can play with the best," Leman said.

The Illini lost 26-12 thanks to a fumble return for a touchdown, an onside-kick return for a touchdown and a safety. But the defense ran with the confidence it built in that game and subsequent ones like the 17-10 home loss to top-ranked Ohio State.

"We always knew we had the talent, we had the coaches, we had everything we needed," Leman said. "But we knew we had to grow up a little bit, too.

"I think it's been a product of growing up, taking our lumps in games, learning that we could play with people and now actually beating people."

Could that list of beaten people include Penn State? Illinois hasn't beaten a ranked Big Ten opponent at home since Oct. 12, 1991.

"(Paterno) has told me on more than one occasion that Memorial Stadium is his favorite stadium in the Big Ten," Zook said. "Hopefully he's going to see a little different Memorial Stadium this year. And, of course, the next time he comes back, we can even be better."