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Asmussen: Lovie's goals catching high school eyes

Related Topics: Lovie Smith, Rockford, Illinois

After three-plus decades as a high school coach, not much surprises Rockford Auburn’s Dan Appino.

But Lovie Smith managed to jolt him.

During a high school coaching clinic in the spring, Smith put his goals for the 2016 Illini on a television screen.

“Everybody looked around at each other and said, ‘Wow. If they can do that, it will be something,’ ” Appino said.

What are the goals?

No. 1: Beat Northwestern. That makes sense. The Wildcats kept Illinois out of a bowl in 2015.

No. 2: Win all seven home games. With North Carolina, Michigan State and Minnesota coming to campus, it is ambitious, but a necessary step to .