Illini feel fresh after bye week

CHAMPAIGN -- Illini football players say they feel physically and mentally refreshed after a bye week which gave them a little time away from the grind of the game.

"We got a little time to rest our bodies and time to think about what we've been doing and what we need to do better," offensive tackle Jeff Allen said on Tuesday. "Guys have shown a lot of excitement and a lot of energy at practice. We need to come out Saturday with the same excitement."

Illinois plays host to No. 22 Michigan at 2:30 p.m., Saturday in a game that will be televised by ABC.

Unfortunately, coming off a bye week is no guarantee of success. Illinois has played 27 games after a bye in the modern era and is 11-16 in those contests.

Nevertheless, quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase said the time off was good for him and his right shoulder, which he injured on Sept. 17 while hitting the turf against Arizona State.

Scheelhaase has barely mentioned the injury, but he said Tuesday a structural change to his shoulder is visible enough that his mother has commented on it.

"It feels pretty good," he said. "It looks weird. It sticks up a little bit. My mother noticed it."

Head coach Ron Zook said Scheelhaase doesn't even let coaches know about injuries.

"He won't tell you unless it's very serious," Zook said. "You just won't know with him."

Scheelhaase was all smiles following practice on Tuesday, in part because it was his 21st birthday.

"Can't complain, it's my birthday," he said, noting that there was no big celebration in the plans.

"No, nothing. Practice, school, film and I have a student council athlete meeting tonight. Just another day," he said.

Scheelhaase said what he'd like to do is delay his birthday celebration to Saturday evening, after Illinois ends its three-game losing streak against Michigan.

"That would be a great present," he said. "I have some family coming in so we can all celebrate."

COACHING CONNECTIONS

Two Michigan assistant coaches have ties to Illinois.

The Wolverines wide receivers coach is Jeff Hecklinski, who came to Illinois as a quarterback but quickly transferred to Western Illinois, where he earned his degree in 1997. Hecklinski coached for Brady Hoke at San Diego State and accompanied Hoke to Michigan.