Zook says special teams a work in progress

CHAMPAIGN -- Anyone looking for the reasons Illinois came up a touchdown short against Minnesota would be wise to glance at the Illini's special teams.

Minnesota started two of its first-half drives from its 40-yard line after Illinois kicker Michael Cklamovski (kluh-MAHV'-skee) booted kick-offs out of bounds to win 27-20.

The Illini, meanwhile, started early drives 2-yard line, its 13, its 19 and its 27.

Illinois coach Ron Zook said Tuesday that, rather than lose his temper with Cklamovski, he stayed calm. Zook is a past special teams coach himself, and he says Cklamovski was putting too much pressure on himself.

Zook says Illinois (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) will continue to experiment with special teams against Indiana this Saturday.