Illini Take on Heat in Practice #11
August 14, 2003 | Football
Aug. 14, 2003
The Illini gridders felt the heat on Thursday as the temperatures soared in to high 80's with 72 percent humidity. The full-padded practice was the only one of the day for the squad, who took advantage of the afternoon with meetings and walk-throughs.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE QUARTERBACKS: Senior Jon Beutjer returns to lead Illinois' high-powered offense after starting seven games last season. He led the Big Ten in passing yardage with 228.3 yards per game, was third in total offense at 228.9 yards per game and finished second with 21 touchdown passes.
"Jon's done a great job getting himself ready," quarterbacks coach Dan O'Dell said. "Each day he's coming out there with an edge and working hard, running the offense. He is doing a good job staying disciplined with his reads and doing the things we're been asking him, so we've been very pleased with that. Obviously we need to continue to get better and continue to stick with him. He's got a lot of talent, so we'll get the most out of his ability."
Beutjer is backed up by senior Dustin Ward, a starter for five games last season, and red-shirt freshmen, Tim Brasic and Chris Pazan. True-freshmen Brad Bower and DeJuan Warren are also getting quality work done during their first collegiate training camp.
"The younger guys have been doing a better job just trying to run the offense and competing. They've both gotten better since spring, so that's encouraging, but they still have a lot of work to do. Dustin has great knowledge of the system, but we still need to go out there each day and work on the fundamentals as well as executing the offense."
SCHOLAR-ATHLETES: University of Illinois senior kickers John Gockman and JJ Tubbs both will become scholarship players for 2003, their senior season. After walking onto the Illinois football team, the special teams standouts have earned the scholarship for their hard work on and off the field. Tubbs was the regular starter in 2000 and 2001 until a back injury sidelined him. During that time he was a perfect 22-of-22 on extra points and made 6-of-9 field goals. He is the team's high GPA Award winner and will back up Gockman for placekicking duties this season. Gockman spent the last two seasons as Illinois' long-range kicker, hitting 10-of-14 field goals from 40-plus yards. He connected on a 47-yarder against No. 1 Ohio State to send the game into overtime in 2002. This season he will take over all placekicking duties.
