As weeks of spring practices and exhibitions finally culminate in Saturday’s scrimmage at Memorial Stadium, many players are looking forward to a welcome rest.

“Our bodies are getting tired because of so many practices,” cornerback Dere Hicks said. “Everybody’s getting worn down towards the end of the spring.”

So it came as no surprise that the Illini defense wasn’t as sharp in drills this week as it has been.

“It seemed like we were just going through the motions,” Hicks said.

Co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Curt Mallory agreed, saying the intensity level this week “wasn’t as good as it has been.”

“If we’re going to be better than we were a year ago, you have to come out every day,” Mallory said.

Putting past successes in the rearview mirror has undoubtedly been the focus of the Illinois coaching staff.

Ron Zook, looking to establish that last season’s 9-4 record and Rose Bowl bid was anything but a fluke, admits that he’s pushed his players hard this spring to avoid complacency.

The team held a players-only meeting two weeks ago, although it is unclear whether the team discussed the intensity of spring practice.

A tight-lipped Brit Miller said it was “nothing negative” and helped build team camaraderie, something Hicks believes the Illini are still searching for.

“I feel like we need to get better, man. As a group, we’ve got to find some team unity,” Hicks said.

Despite the added pressure, the results may already be showing defensively.

In contrast to an offense that has appeared out-of-sync at times, Illinois’ defense has shined throughout the spring.

At last week’s scrimmage in Lemont, Ill., cornerbacks Hicks and Marcus Thomas combined for three interceptions, and the defensive front stymied the offense’s running attack, winning the point-based scrimmage 36-19.

Martez Wilson has been another key contributor to the defense’s success.

After playing mainly on special teams as a gunner his first year, the freshman is slated to start at weak-side linebacker this fall.

“I not only get to play special teams now, but I get to go right back out on the field after,” Wilson said.

“It feels like high school days again.”

Despite its success throughout the spring, the defense has no illusions of relaxing as practice winds down.

“Each day, you either get better or you get worse. There is no in-between,” Hicks said.