CHAMPAIGN - One week ago, Illini football coach Ron Zook said he wasn't ready for a change at quarterback.

On Sunday, Zook said he's giving it greater consideration.

Another sub-standard performance by senior Juice Williams has Zook looking more closely at handing the ball to Eddie McGee when the Illini host Michigan State on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for the homecoming game will be at 11 a.m.

In a 35-17 loss to Penn State Saturday, Williams completed 20 of 36 passes for 263 yards, one touchdown and one interception. It was his first touchdown pass of the season.

But he also missed open receivers and Zook mentioned a pass Williams threw behind Jarred Fayson early in the third quarter as an example of a potential big play that slipped away.

Zook said he is weighing the impact of a quarterback change.

"Obviously, there is an awful lot of conversation about that," Zook said. "We're going to talk about it. When you make a change there are a lot of things you have to think about. It's not easy.

"Contrary to what people think, we still have a lot of football to play and we still have an opportunity to be a good football team. You have to make sure you are doing the right thing. It's not as easy as everyone likes to think.

"Right now, I'm considering changing everybody, including myself."

Zook said the ultimate goal of a quarterback change is to improve production at the position, but he said a change might also inject something else into the equation.

"Just like in basketball, sometimes they will bring a guy in just to energize the thing," he said. "But what if it doesn't work? You can't just go back and forth. What are you willing to risk if it doesn't work?

"Juice is a great kid. He has the weight of the world on his back now. He understands it. I talked to him this morning and he's not backing down."

Whoever is at quarterback, Zook said the staff has talked about using its hurry-up, two-minute offense more often, regardless of the clock. Williams had success running it against Penn State and said he likes the idea of pushing the pace.

Williams discounted the idea that the problems he's had are related to the transition to new offensive coordinator Mike Schultz.

"We just have to play better," he said.

But Zook said it's only natural to think the transition has had some effect.

"I said this summer the transition couldn't have gone any smoother and I meant that," he said. "But obviously there's a disconnect somewhere along the line here. A lot of the same players are back, we're doing the exact same stuff but we're not having the same execution. That's our job to get it fixed."

It's a job that Zook said has been causing plenty of restless nights.

"I'm not going to say it's been a day at the beach," he said. "Very little sleep and a lot of Pepto Bismol. But that's part of the profession. It's our job to get it fixed.

"As hard as it is, we're going to get it fixed or die trying."

Injury update

Several players were injured during the game with Penn State but Zook said none appear to be seriously hurt.

Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui and defensive tackle Corey Liuget each suffered sprained ankles.

"(Hoomanawanui) should be OK," Zook said. "Right now I would list him as probable. Same with Corey Liuget."

Safety Garrett Edwards strained a muscle in his neck but should be ready to play against Michigan State .

Linebacker Evan Frierson suffered a contusion on his knee but also will play against the Spartans, Zook said.