Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook at Big Ten Media Day

Sam Wenk is LIVE at the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago

The Big Ten coaches were asked a number of questions.  Here are some quotes from Ron Zook of Illinois during the first day.

Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook

“Everybody’s undefeated, excited for football.  (We have a) long, long way to go."

“Of course the questions are out there (about how legitimate we are as a football team).  Who’s going to replace Rashard (Mendenhall)?  Who’s going to replace J (Leman)?”

On how he will use the running backs: 

“(Running back Derek) Dufrene will take the first rep(s).  (We’ll use a) running back by committee at least until we see (and) know what they do.  As a staff, (our job is to) put those guys in a position to be successful.”

On why is spread offense is so popular: 

“My experience has been on the defensive side of football.  I wanted to run an offense that I hated seeing as a coach.  It’s a fun offense.  It (has) allowed our players the best chance to win.  Juice is a little better at it (than his former quarterback at Florida, Chris Leak).”

On Juice William’s progression:

“Teams that have the better quarterback have the better chance to win.  One of our main goals is to improve our passing game.  (There is a) confidence factor.  (We have) two (quarterbacks) who are quality athletes and quality people who can win for you.”

On the Big Ten being considered weak: 

“(It’s) important that we go win.  No doubt in my mind the Big Ten is a great, great conference.”

On Purdue head coach Joe Tiller: 

“Great, great sense of humor.  What he’s done for the program speaks for itself.  (He) put Purdue in the upper echelon.  Glad we don’t play them this year.”

On the loss to USC in the Rose Bowl last season: 

“We didn’t play the way we were capable of playing.”

On the first game against Missouri: 

“Might as well be happy about it.  The schedule gives us an opportunity to get back to where we were.  We need to teach our guys how to win (against a Big 12 team).”

On biggest individual improvement: 

“They’ve (the players) all progressed.  (Our) strength is (on) the defensive side this year.  (We have) as good as a defensive line the (in the) Big Ten.”