CHAMPAIGN - Illinois' ever-changing list of season-long football goals could boil down to two targets still very much within its sights.

One is consecutive winning seasons. The other is back-to-back bowl games. Since no Illini football since 1989 has been able to deliver on those goals, some of the players said Tuesday the motivation to have an improved second half of the season is still very, very high.

Linemen Ryan McDonald and Derek Walker admitted some of the team's goals have evaporated, including their intention to win every home game. That went out the window last week when Minnesota scored a 27-20 upset on homecoming.

Even though six victories can technically make a team bowl-eligible, another 3-3 split in the second half might not get the job done. Instead, winning four of the final six games would ensure a winning season and at 7-5, Illinois would be definitely headed to a bowl game.

Walker, a senior defensive end, said he's still thinking big.

"We definitely want to have a winning season and we definitely want to go to a bowl game," he said. "That hasn't happened here (in consecutive seasons) for a long time.

"Obviously, we're not where we thought it would be. But it's not terrible. We're 3-3 with six games left so hopefully we can make some things happen and still have a good season."

When told that seven victories would be needed to be certain of a bowl invitation, Walker said he's aiming higher than that.

"I'm thinking eight or nine," he said. "We have six games left. If we're good enough and lucky enough to win all six, we'd be 9-3 like last year. But first we have to concentrate on Indiana."

Considering that a loss this week would push Illinois below .500, Walker just laughed when asked if this was a "must-win" contest.

"Last week was must-win, so this week obviously must be a must-win," Walker said. "We don't want to go below .500. We have to get back on the right track and get our confidence back. So it's definitely a must-win."

On Tuesday, players were still glum about the Minnesota game. They said coaches had been up-beat and were determined not to let the loss linger. But players sounded down and admitted this was proving to be a tough loss to move beyond.

"It really hurt," said McDonald, the starting center. "It stung. If a loss like that doesn't hurt, there's something wrong with you. But it's one loss and it doesn't mess up our whole season."

The players said the coaching staff has been surprisingly upbeat since the loss to Minnesota as they try to make sure players don't get caught moping.

Even so, coach Ron Zook said everyone is having to force themselves to push past last week's disappointment.

"We're all dragging, gosh dang," Zook said. "If it's not important to you, we've got some issues.

"But I felt last night's practice was good. We still have six games to go. We've readjusted our goals, but that usually happens when you set your goals high.

"You dig in, bow up and get ready to go. That's just the way it is."

ZOOK SURE ABOUT ELLIS

Indiana coach Bill Lynch said Tuesday that quarterback Kellen Lewis is questionable for Saturday's game at Illinois.

Illini coach Ron Zook said he isn't buying that report.

""Kellen Lewis will play," Zook said without hesitation. "He's a dangerous player, a guy who can turn a game around. He can with his feet and he can with his arm. He'll play."

Lynch said Lewis was uncertain due to a sprained ankle.

SYMPATHY CALL

Zook said he has offered encouragement to Tommy Bowden, who resigned as Clemson's coach Monday after the Tigers, who were the pre-season pick to win the ACC, lost to fall to 3-3.

Zook knows all about mid-season pressures that result in a coaching change, having been fired in October of 2004 at the University of Florida, even though he was allowed to stay on through the remainder of the season.

"I talked to him last night," Zook said Tuesday. "Like I told Tommy, there's a lot more support out there than you think. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. I didn't think that at the time, but everything happens for a reason.

"He's a good football coach, a great person with a great family. He told me he's going to watch me sweat Saturday night (against Indiana)."

mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983