Zook, coordinators get ready to Hula

Before Illinois wraps up a recruiting class that already boasts 26 oral commitments, Ron Zook heads to Hawaii to help Boston College's Jeff Jagodzinski coach the East squad in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 12.

Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and co-defensive coordinator Curt Mallory will join Zook on the journey.

Senior right tackle Akim Millington will play for the East side, but the Wheaton North graduate won't be the only DuPage Valley Conference alumnus.

Nebraska middle linebacker Corey McKeon (Naperville North) also will play for the East.

Santella shines: Lost in the shuffle of Illinois' disappointing Rose Bowl was the best day of punter Anthony Santella's career.

The redshirt freshman from Wauconda delivered one lofty kick after another and finished with a 44.7-yard average for his 6 punts.

"I'm really, really proud of him," said coach Ron Zook, who instructs the punters. "I thought he did a nice job, and that was one of the bright spots of the game."

Next year beckons: Of Illinois' 11 confirmed games for next year, there are six against bowl teams.

That includes arduous road dates with Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as the neutral war with Missouri that the Illini haven't won since the rivalry resumed in St. Louis.

"The best thing we've got going for us right now is our schedule," said a suddenly animated Zook, raising his voice and pounding his hands together. "To me, it's a good thing. It helped us this year and it's going to help us next year."

Illinois 2008 schedule

Date Opponent 2007

Aug. 30 vs. Missouri 12-2 (in St. Louis)

Sept. 6 EASTERN ILLINOIS 8-4

Sept. 13 UL LAFAYETTE 3-9

Sept. 20 TBA

Sept. 27 at Penn State 9-4

Oct. 4 at Michigan 9-4

Oct. 11 MINNESOTA 1-11

Oct. 18 INDIANA 7-6

Oct. 25 at Wisconsin 9-4

Nov. 1 IOWA 6-6

Nov. 15 OHIO STATE 11-1*

Nov. 22 at Northwestern 6-6

*Prior to Monday's BCS title game