Illini defense not getting job done on 3rd down

Illinois coach Ron Zook used the word "critical" at least four times in a span of less than 10 minutes while discussing his team's disintegrating defense.

Nowhere was it more applicable than when he broached the topic of stopping opponents on third down.

In a 38-34 loss to Minnesota on Saturday, the Gophers converted 7 of 15 third downs.

Shannon Ryan