After missing all but two plays of Saturday’s 45-17 win over Illinois State with an injured quadricep, quarterback Juice Williams is back on the field with his teammates.

Williams practiced with the team on Tuesday and Wednesday and is now 100 percent.

“I’ll definitely be ready to go for Ohio State,” Williams said.

At his weekly press conference on Tuesday, head coach Ron Zook reiterated that Williams’ injury was minor enough that the coaches considered putting him back into the game.

“(Williams) was all over me. He was mad at me,” Zook said. “It’s a quad strain, and he’s going to be fine.”

Linebacker Martez Wilson, who sat out Saturday’s game with a neck injury, was back out on the field as well on Tuesday and Wednesday, albeit in a red jersey, designating no contact. After experiencing a host of injuries the first two weeks, Zook said that all players are now practicing with the team.

Sophomore running back Mikel LeShoure and redshirt freshman cornerback Ashante Williams, who were suspended last week, have also been practicing the team, although their status for the Ohio State game is still uncertain.

Season starts next week for Benn

In 2008, receiver Arrelious Benn accumulated 1,668 all-purpose yards, good for third best all-time in a single season at Illinois. He also totaled 67 receptions, five 100-yard receiving games and was named first-team All-Big Ten by the media.

This season, Benn was expected to do more. He was one of 30 players to be named to the Walter Camp Award watch list for the best collegiate football player.

But here’s Benn’s statistics through the first two games of 2009: one reception for nine yards.

True, the Illini star was injured on the first drive in the opener against Missouri, but he played 55 snaps against Illinois State last weekend and was held without a reception for the first time in his Illini career.

While saying he keeps a team-first mentality, Benn said he thought about his statistics during the game.

“A little bit, I’m only human, I’m competitive,” he said. “Those things do fly through your head. But you’ve just got to stay focused on what needs to be done right now on the team.”

Benn said he’s about 85 percent healthy after spraining his ankle against Missouri and should be back to 100 percent when the team plays Ohio State next weekend

He expects things to go back to normal in Columbus.

“I feel as though my season hasn’t started yet,” he said. “My season starts with Ohio State, being able to go full tilt, doing all of the things that I want to.”

Team recognizes players following win against ISU

After Saturday’s win, sophomore running back Jason Ford was named the offensive player of the game, senior defensive end Doug Pilcher was tabbed the defensive player of the game, and junior linebacker Aaron Gress was awarded special teams player of the game.

Ford rushed for 137 yards on 10 carries, including a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter. Pilcher notched three tackles and had an interception, which he returned for 41 yards.

“The thing about Pilcher is that he is a guy who is quiet and not as flashy, but he’s where he’s supposed to be placed with great leverage,” Zook said. “He’s strong, and he just makes stuff happen.”

Gress, a junior college transfer, registered four tackles on special teams coverage.

Hawthorne sees limited action

Despite mentioning freshman Terry Hawthorne as a likely candidate to see snaps at the safety position before the Illinois State game, Zook entered the East St. Louis, Ill., native in at safety for only three snaps on Saturday.

“Everyone wants Terry Hawthorne in there. I do too,” Zook said. “But the thing you don’t want to have is guys getting thrown in too early and lose their self confidence. One step is three yards. You have to make sure you’re not losing steps, but gaining steps.”

A freshman who has been getting significant playing time is running back Justin Green, who has been on the field for 26 plays this season despite a crowded backfield.

“I think every time he gets on the field he’s going to get better,” Zook said. “He had a penalty on the punt return team, but he was getting after it and he was playing hard. He’s getting physical.”

Green rushed seven times for 56 yards and his first career touchdown against Illinois State while contributing to special teams as well.

And with a trip to Columbus, Ohio, looming for the younger players, the older veterans have a few words of wisdom for them.

“I’ll tell them to never mind the crowd, never mind the atmosphere, never mind the prestige of the stadium,” Williams said. “They’ve got to go out and take care of business. And then everything tends to take care of itself.”

In Williams’ only trip to Ohio State, the then-sophomore tossed four touchdowns and made key plays down the stretch to lead the Illini to a 28-21 upset over the then-No. 1 Buckeyes.

“I was a young guy at the time, and after a while you just kind of forget everything,” Williams said. “It’ll be like playing in your backyard.”