Illini legends give thumbs up to renovation

CHAMPAIGN - It cost just $1.7 million to build Memorial Stadium in the early 1920s. It cost 68 times that much ($116 million) for Illinois' athletic department to build the north end-zone stands and completely remodel the west side of Memorial Stadium.

Judging by the reaction of the 46 Illinois legends who were honored on the field during Saturday's 47-21 win over Eastern Illinois, it was money well spent.

"I think it's definitely fantastic," said former Illini cornerback Henry Jones, a 1990 first-round pick who played 12 years in the NFL. "It takes our program to another level. It's just a testament to Mr. Guenther and all the people who donated.

"I think our program will not only be able to rebuild after a great year, we'll be able to reload. That will be key for us."

Did the school hit up Jones for some money for the renovation?

"What do you think?" Jones said with a laugh.

Jones, now a real estate developer in Atlanta, was in the same graduating class as Shaun Wax, who went from all-Big Ten receiver to Illinois' associate athletic director in charge of development (read: fundraising), marketing and other external jobs.

One highlight of the legends' return? When the quarterbacks were introduced during halftime, you had Jeff George, Kurt Kittner, Tommy O'Connell, Jason Verduzco, Jack Trudeau and Mike Wells linked together for a once-in-a-lifetime picture.

All-American wide receiver David Williams, who caught most of his school-record 262 passes from Trudeau in 1983-85, witnessed the scene and decided this:

"Jeff (George) is a baller," Williams said with a smile. "But I played with the greatest quarterback of all time. Jack filled this baby with 75,000-76,000 people every time out."

George, who brought his wife and three children on the field to celebrate with him, hopes to remain "a baller" in the present tense.

Though he turns 41 in December and hasn't thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2001 - though he spent several weeks on the Bears' practice squad in 2006 - he's looking to hook on with a team.

"As I look around the league, I can still throw it with the best of them," George said. "I keep myself in shape. I do throw regularly. It's just my passion. I can't let it go. If you can still do it and do it well, why not try to do it?"

Shaky secondary: In an effort to improve Illinois' safety play, junior Dere Hicks made his first start there Saturday after 14 consecutive starts at cornerback.

"We want to get our best 11 on the field," co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch said.

Sophomore Miami Thomas took Hicks' spot at corner, but Hicks likely will move back after Thomas tore up his right knee trying to block on a punt return in the second quarter.

To add insult to Thomas' injury, the Eastern Illinois punt bounced off him as he writhed on the turf and the Panthers recovered at Illinois' 15.

More injuries: Sophomore Josh Brent is listed on the depth chart as a starting defensive tackle, but he hasn't played in either of Illinois' games.

Coach Ron Zook was a bit mysterious about Brent's status. After the Missouri opener, he said Brent had an illness that prevented him from playing.

"He had a relapse, and that's all I'm going to say," Zook said. "He's got some issues he's got to - that he's got to get corrected - cleaned up."

Former Barrington lineman Otis Hudson, who transferred from Minnesota to Eastern Illinois in the off-season, hurt his left knee midway through the first quarter and did not return.