Zook sees 'monumental challenge'

CHAMPAIGN -- There's a school of thought that says Illinois should hang with top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday because the Illini lost by just 7 points last year.

There's another school of thought that suggests Ohio State might not be able to rise to the occasion coming off an emotional win over Wisconsin -- and facing a trip to Michigan next week for "The Big Game."

Illinois coach Ron Zook doesn't teach at either of those schools.

"Last year, maybe we played up a little bit and they played down," said Zook, referring to No. 1 Ohio State's 17-10 win at Champaign last Nov. 4. "But they're not going to play down."

At the same time, Zook expects his guys to play up again.

"Now you get an opportunity as a football team to go play the best in our game," he said. "What more can you ask for if you're a competitor?

"Is it a monumental challenge? It's a monumental challenge."

Oddsmakers are listing Ohio State as a 15-point favorite.

Reda rules: For superstitious reasons, Illinois senior kicker Jason Reda doesn't talk to the media.

Instead, the all-conference candidate from Rock Island lets his right foot do the talking for him.

The reigning Big Ten special teams player of the week has converted 13 of 14 field-goal attempts this year, which is the best conversion rate in Illini history and trails only Indiana's Austin Starr (17 of 18) within the conference this year.

However, Reda differentiates himself as one of three kickers nationally who owns three 50-yard-plus field goals this season.

Ron Zook, who used to coach special teams for a living in the NFL, thinks Reda has a chance to make it at the next level.

"He's a very, very accurate kicker," Zook said. "He's got a great leg. I believe he's got an opportunity, yes."

Millington's club: Senior right tackle Akim Millington will play the rest of the season with a cast covering his right hand.

The 2003 Wheaton North graduate debuted the club in last week's win at Minnesota after dislocating his ring finger and "messing up some ligaments" in the fourth quarter of the Ball State game.

"It's part of the job," Millington said. "Considering I play O-line, that's what happens. It's part of the profession."

Millington's hand figures to heal in 6-8 weeks, which means he might still need the cast for the bowl game. One good thing about the club that covers all but the tips of his fingers?

"I can't hold," he said. "Of course, we don't do that anyway."

Leshoure commits: Champaign Centennial running back Mikel Leshoure attended Tuesday's practice and offered his oral commitment to Illinois.

The 6-foot, 220-pound Leshoure, the 18th recruit to pledge his loyalty to the Illini, projects as a Pierre Thomas-style runner.

That's not too shabby, considering Thomas ranks sixth on Illinois' all-time rushing list (2,545 yards) and has a job with the New Orleans Saints.

Presuming Rashard Mendenhall turns pro after this season, Leshoure and fellow commit Deries Hodge will battle with junior Daniel Dufrene and redshirting freshman Troy Pollard for carries in 2008.

No Lombardi for Leman: Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis, Michigan tackle Jake Long, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Virginia defensive end were announced Tuesday as the Lombardi Award finalists.

Illinois senior middle linebacker J Leman had made the semifinal list.