CHAMPAIGN — This is what Big Ten football is supposed to feel like.
At least that’s the consensus Joe Spencer and the rest of his Illinois football teammates were experiencing with regard to the buzz circulating around their program Monday afternoon. A buzz they started getting used to after seeing Lovie Smith walk through the team room inside Memorial Stadium shortly after 7 a.m. on Monday.
The new Illini coach received a standing ovation from his new players, who were told via text message on Sunday night an early-morning team meeting was slated for Monday.
“We had a good idea about what it was about,” Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt said.