In the post-game press conference, head coach Ron Zook was asked about what he told his players at halftime of the game. Zook said that he was telling his players, in his opinion, probably what Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema was telling his Badgers.

Zook surmised that Bielema was telling his players that this game was the turning point for their team last year, coming back after Illinois had mounted a 21-3 lead. Coming out and having a great second half and proving their resolve was all the motivation that the coaches probably needed to use.

It is understandable for Bielema to think that this game could serve as a turning point. Like last year’s game, a victory in this situation for his team would be a great rally and show that the team could come back and put its resolve on display.

It wasn’t the Badgers’ resolve that showed after the half, however.

Playing in what is likely the biggest game of the season on national television, Illinois football shocked the No. 5 team in the country.

Although the good people of Memorial Stadium’s security task force wouldn’t allow the fans to rush the field, the players once again ventured into the stands to celebrate with the euphoric students, dads and band members.

In Ron Zook’s interview with the dazzling Erin Andrews, coach admitted he was a little misty-eyed.

While Zook is the last person I would have pegged to get too emotional, it is understandable to see why he was.

With the victory on Saturday comes confirmation that Illinois is ready to become the program that has been so long desired in Champaign. Barring a catastrophic collapse, the team will be headed to a bowl game in late December or early January. So it would seem that Zook’s outpouring of emotion was well warranted.

While it is hard to completely appreciate the victory right now, it is a testament to how much this program has progressed in the three years since the new coaching staff has taken the reins and worked with these players.

The players, however, still know there’s work to be done. Zook offered to give them Monday off, but said that the players refused to take it. The team knows that as good as it is playing now, if there is any complacency – like taking an off day – that things might snag. The players, such as Juice Williams, are aware that they need to be working still, even with their current record.

“I think we’re just trying to build up more and more momentum,” Williams said. “That’s the biggest thing, not to put our guards down, to come out here Monday and continue to work hard.”

While Williams’ numbers may not have been as high as Tyler Donovan’s, the one stat that wasn’t as high as Donovan’s was essential in determining the outcome. Donovan threw for 392 yards, but more or less negated those yards with his two interceptions. His pick given up to Vontae Davis in the fourth quarter set up Eddie McGee’s touchdown run and gave the Illini some much-needed insurance.

Juice’s accuracy problems that have been intermittent in the past were a non-issue Saturday. He was extremely efficient on Saturday going 12 of 19. He might not be a gunslinger, but he doesn’t have to be in this offense. Because of the Illini running game, he and Eddie McGee, who seems to have become the closing pitcher for Illinois, don’t have to carry the offense.

Williams, McGee and the rest of the Illini are now ranked for the first time in six years. While it might not seem long, it has been like an eternity for some, especially after enduring the less than successive sparkling two-victory seasons and double-digit drubbings. Seeing Illinois ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 19 in the USA Today Poll is still a little surreal for me. It might take a while to climb too much higher, because something tells me that, even given its current success, some will question Illinois’ staying power.

I don’t think that Coach Zook will mind too much, though. It would, after all, be great motivation to use at halftime.

Daniel Johnson is a junior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].