Illinois fires Zook after 0-6 collapse

Illinois head coach Ron Zook, right, leaves the field after losing to Minnesota 27-7 in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Illinois head coach Ron Zook, right, leaves the field after losing to Minnesota 27-7 in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Illinois head coach Ron Zook, center, leaves the field after losing to Minnesota 27-7 in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Illinois head coach Ron Zook looks on during the second quarter against Minnesota in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 27-7. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) ? Illinois coach Ron Zook was fired Sunday after the Illini followed a 6-0 start to this season with a six-game losing streak.

Zook and the Illini finished off their collapse with a 27-7 defeat at Minnesota on Saturday.

"I believe we need new leadership to take the program to the level to compete for championships on a consistent basis," Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas said in a statement released by the university. "This is an extremely competitive conference, and we are determined to go head-to-head with the very best."

Thomas said the defensive coordinator Vic Koenning will take over as interim head coach while a search begins for Zook's successor.

Zook wasn't immediately available for comment but planned a press conference for late Sunday afternoon.

Zook finished 34-51 at Illinois. He took the 2007 team to the Rose Bowl and lost to USC. Last season's squad beat Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

With six wins the Illini could still go to a bowl game. It would be their first back-to-back bowl appearances since 1991 and '92.

Zook came to Illinois in 2005 after being fired in his third season at Florida. He replaced Ron Turner, now an Indianapolis Colts assistant coach.

The 2007 season was Zook's high point at Illinois. The Illini were Big Ten runners-up and upset an undefeated Ohio State team in Columbus that was shooting for a perfect season and a national title.

But only two of Zook's Illinois teams finished with winning records, 2007's 9-4 squad and last year's 7-6 Texas Bowl team.

Thomas praised Zook for the elevating Illinois ? Zook took over after Turner produced four losing seasons in five years. But Thomas, who became AD just last summer, also alluded to Zook's uneven tenure at Illinois.

"It is imperative that our program shows some consistency and competes for championships, and I think a change in coaches can help us get there sooner. I wasn't here seven years ago when Ron Zook took over as coach, but it's clear the program is in better shape than what he inherited."

As word of his firing spread, some of Zook's former players used social media to support their former coach.

"Zook was a good coach and Man," former Illini quarterback and current Oakland Raiders receiver Eddie McGee wrote on Twitter. "Great person who believed in his players. Would do anything for them. If you played for him you know that."

"I still love him as a coach and as a father figure," current Illini tailback Jason Ford wrote.

Zook went 2-9 in his first season at Illinois but Illini fans had the promise of better times ahead. Known as an extraordinary recruiter, Zook's first signing class included highly regarded Chicago quarterback Juice Williams, who started most of the next four seasons.

After another two-win year ? Williams' freshman season ? Zook and the Illini delivered on that promise with the trip to the Rose Bowl. Illinois was blown out in Pasadena, 49-17 by USC, but fans thought good times were on the horizon.

Illinois followed up that surprisingly good season, though, with two bad ones, defying high expectations to go 5-7 and, in 2009, 3-9. Zook kept his job amid speculation that he wouldn't, but was forced to fire virtually his entire staff and hire offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and Koenning. With their help Illinois went 7-6 in 2010.

This season, though, left fans with even deeper doubts.

Illinois took advantage of an early schedule that included five home dates and opponents such as Arkansas State and South Dakota State to roll to 6-0. Then came the losses.

While the defense mostly held up well the offense struggled. Illinois at one point went three games without scoring a first-half point. The Illini averaged less than 15 points a game through the losing streak after putting almost 35 a game through the unbeaten start.

And Illinois' special teams ? a point of emphasis for Zook, who has been an NFL special teams coach ? were often bad. The Illini were last in the Big Ten this season in both kickoff and punt returns and near the bottom of the conference in both kickoff and punt coverage.

Zook brought both that NFL pedigree and the reputation as a tireless worker and recruiter to Illinois.

He peppered his press conferences with references to coaches like Steve Spurrier with whom he'd worked, and once told a reporter, "Can you imagine how much you could get done if you didn't have to eat or sleep?"

But he also brought baggage with him from Florida.

Gator fans were never sold on him as the replacement for Spurrier.

Zook won in each of his three seasons in Gainesville, but never enough, going 8-5, 8-5 and 7-4.

And he had the distinction of being perhaps the first target of a serious Internet campaign to fire a coach. The Web site Fireronzook.com went up shortly after he got the job. He also reportedly got into a shouting match during the 2004 season on the Florida campus with members of a fraternity after a fight between them and some of his players.

Associated Press

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Luck, No. 4 Stanford beat No. 22 ND, 28-14 (AP)

STANFORD, Calif. ? Andrew Luck walked back into the overcrowded home locker room at Stanford Stadium, greeted by hugs and handshakes and serenaded with a chant that suited him just perfectly.

"Macho, Macho man!" teammates bellowed, singing the lyrics to the Village People's famous song. "I want to be a Macho man!"

Only one has earned that title on The Farm.

Luck set the school record for the most career touchdown passes and eclipsed his own single-season mark, throwing for 233 yards and four scores to lead fourth-ranked Stanford past No. 22 Notre Dame 28-14 in his home finale Saturday night.

Luck topped John Elway's record of 77 touchdown passes and helped the Cardinal (11-1) build a 21-0 halftime lead. He has thrown for 80 touchdowns in three years ? while it took Elway all four ? and 35 this season.

"There's no player in America like Andrew Luck," Stanford coach David Shaw said. "Forget about the stats. Forget about the comparisons of other guys. It doesn't matter."

Luck of the Irish? Forget it.

Luck is on Stanford's side.

The victory likely vaulted the Cardinal into consideration for an at-large BCS bowl bid for the second straight year ? with the Fiesta Bowl among the leading possible destinations ? but they will not play for a major championship this season. The lone loss to Oregon put the Ducks in the Pac-12 title game out of the North Division and crushed Stanford's dreams of a national title.

"I think one loss, that's great," said Luck, who turned down a chance to be the NFL draft's top pick this year. "We've been on a 23-2 run for a while, I think it's pretty impressive. We put ourselves in position to be in a good bowl game, and that's what we wanted to do."

Notre Dame's stumbled at the finish line again.

Tommy Rees threw an interception, lost a fumble and took a bruising blow to the ribs for Notre Dame (8-4) before getting benched. Andrew Hendrix threw for 192 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in a second-half rally for the Fighting Irish that came up short.

Keeping Stanford close gave the Irish little satisfaction.

"We didn't come here for second prize," said Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, who would not name a starting quarterback for the bowl game. "We got off to a slow start and battled against it. To me, the scoreboard showed 28-14 and that's not good enough. The slow start put us in a tough position."

Stanford coach David Shaw shined the spotlight on his program and his quarterback's Heisman Trophy campaign with a calculated rip of the "flawed" BCS system this week. The Cardinal's play matched his words for 30 minutes.

A sloppy second half almost took everything else Stanford had worked for this season.

Kelly benched Rees in favor of Hendrix to start the third quarter, and the move pumped some life into a stagnant Irish offense. Notre Dame took advantage of pass interference and roughing the passer penalties for its first score.

Hendrix threw a 6-yard TD to Michael Floyd to slice Stanford's lead to 21-7 halfway through the third quarter. Floyd finished with 95 catches on the year, breaking the single-season mark of 93 set by Golden Tate in 2009.

The Irish were driving for another score when Hendrix overthrew a receiver, the ball was tipped and intercepted by Michael Thomas. When Notre Dame regained possession, Hendrix was sacked by A.J. Tarpley for a 13-yard loss that sent another drive tumbling.

"Consistency is the one thing I have struggled with the most," said Hendrix, who completed 11 of 24 passes.

Only room for one quarterback to steal the show.

Luck quickly connected with Coby Fleener for a 55-yard TD pass to extend Stanford's lead to 28-7 with 5:40 remaining to put the game out of reach. Fleener also caught a 28-yard TD in the first half that gave Luck every major school touchdown record.

Stanford's Senior Day belonged to the redshirt junior.

Luck lobbed a fade to the short corner of the end zone to complete a 3-yard score to Levine Toilolo, giving Stanford a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Even he had to hold back a smile running to the sideline to a swarm of well-wishes from teammates for the records-tying toss.

But Luck lost his rhythm when a back-side blitzer closed the pocket, and he tossed a short pass that Darius Fleming intercepted and returned 35 yards. Notre Dame took over at the Stanford 10 after a 15-yard penalty on Fleener for a horse collar.

Stanford stifled the Irish on consecutive plays and forced a 20-yard field goal that David Ruffer missed wide right.

Luck followed with a 28-yard TD pass to Fleener. The tight end dragged cornerback Robert Blanton the final 10 yards into the end zone, sealing Luck's marks in the school record book.

"I think it's something I'll be able to tell my kids and grandkids when I'm watching Andrew on TV someday," Fleener said. "He's got my Heisman vote."

___

Follow Antonio Gonzalez at: www.twitter.com/agonzalezAP

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2 key senators call for tough line with Pakistan

A Pakistani boy, bottom, shouts slogans along with other protestors during a rally to condemn NATO helicopters attacks on Pakistani troops, on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Pakistan on Saturday accused NATO helicopters and fighter jets of firing on two army checkpoints in the country's northwest and killing 24 soldiers. Islamabad retaliated by closing the border crossings used by the international coalition to supply its troops in neighboring Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A Pakistani boy, bottom, shouts slogans along with other protestors during a rally to condemn NATO helicopters attacks on Pakistani troops, on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Pakistan on Saturday accused NATO helicopters and fighter jets of firing on two army checkpoints in the country's northwest and killing 24 soldiers. Islamabad retaliated by closing the border crossings used by the international coalition to supply its troops in neighboring Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Pakistani protesters burn representation of U. S. flag to condemn NATO helicopters attacks on Pakistani troops, in Multan, Pakistan on Sunday, Nov 27, 2011. Pakistan on Saturday accused NATO helicopters and fighter jets of firing on two army checkpoints in the country's northwest and killing 24 soldiers. Islamabad retaliated by closing the border crossings used by the international coalition to supply its troops in neighboring Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Afghanistan-bound containers carrying supplies for NATO forces parked as authorities close Chaman border in Pakistan on Sunday, Nov 27, 2011. Pakistan on Saturday accused NATO helicopters and fighter jets of firing on two army checkpoints in the country's northwest and killing 24 soldiers. Islamabad retaliated by closing the border crossings used by the international coalition to supply its troops in neighboring Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)

Afghanistan-bound trucks carrying supplies for NATO forces parked as authorities close border at Torkham border in Pakistan on Sunday, Nov 27, 2011. Pakistan on Saturday accused NATO helicopters and fighter jets of firing on two army checkpoints in the country's northwest and killing 24 soldiers. Islamabad retaliated by closing the border crossings used by the international coalition to supply its troops in neighboring Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Qazi Rauf)

Afghanistan-bound containers carrying supplies for NATO forces parked as authorities close Chaman border in Pakistan on Sunday, Nov 27, 2011. Pakistan on Saturday accused NATO helicopters and fighter jets of firing on two army checkpoints in the country's northwest and killing 24 soldiers. Islamabad retaliated by closing the border crossings used by the international coalition to supply its troops in neighboring Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Shah Khalid)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Senior lawmakers suggested Sunday that the U.S. take a harder line with Pakistan, after Islamabad retaliated for NATO's deadly misfire by closing parts of its border with Afghanistan and demanding the U.S. vacate a drone base.

The comments by Sens. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican, and Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, show how strained Pakistan's relationship with the U.S., and Congress specifically, has become in recent months. Lawmakers approve billions of dollars in military and civilian aid for Pakistan with the expectation that its government will help target al-Qaida operatives and push Afghan militants toward peace talks.

"There's a lot of diplomacy that has to occur and it has to be tough diplomacy in the sense that they need to understand that our support for them financially is dependent upon their cooperation with us," said Kyl, the Senate's No. 2 Republican.

Durbin, the second-ranking Senate Democrat, said Pakistan's latest move is further evidence that the U.S. must end its military involvement in the region and bring troops home.

"As difficult as it is to fight our way thru this diplomatic morass between the incompetence and maybe corruption of Afghanistan and the complicity in parts of Pakistan, our soldiers are caught right in the middle of this at a time they are trying to bring peace to the region," Durbin said.

NATO says it is investigating its likely involvement in Saturday's attack, which killed 24 Pakistani troops along the Afghan border. Afghan officials say their soldiers called for help after being fired upon from the direction of Pakistani border posts.

Outraged by the attacks and claiming they were unprovoked, Islamabad swiftly closed its border to trucks delivering supplies to coalition troops in Afghanistan and demanded the U.S. vacate within 15 days a base used by American drones.

The blockade is guaranteed to frustrate Congress, already incensed that Pakistan never tipped off the U.S. to Osama bin Laden's hideout within its borders.

While calling for tougher diplomacy with Pakistan, Kyl said he would stop short of cutting off U.S. aid entirely to Pakistan. He said that severing ties in the past has only led to an increased influence of Islamic extremists among Pakistan's military ranks.

"It's very important to maintain the relationship for the long haul," he said, without offering more specifics on how that might be done.

Durbin suggested the U.S. back out from the region from a military standpoint.

"We've got to leave it to Afghan forces," he said.

Kyl and Durbin spoke on "Fox News Sunday."

Associated Press

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Fox: Newt Snags Union Leader Nod (TIME)

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Jeno Paulucci, pizza roll architect, dies at 93 (AP)

DULUTH, Minn. ? Jeno Paulucci, a Minnesota business icon whose restaurant ventures included a company that popularized the finger food known as pizza rolls, has died. He was 93.

Paulucci's daughter Cindy Paulucci Selton tells the Duluth News-Tribune (http://bit.ly/rW7fP3) he died Thursday morning at his Duluth home. His wife, Lois, had died just four days earlier.

In 1944, Paulucci founded Duluth-based Chun King, which sold a line of canned Chinese food. More than two decades later, he sold that company to R.J. Reynolds Food Inc.

He'd become the first chairman of R.J. Reynolds Food Co. before returning to entrepreneurial work and establishing Jeno's Inc., which specialized in the finger-food snacks called pizza rolls. It grew to be Duluth's largest employer and was sold to Pillsbury in 1985 for $135 million.

___

Information from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com

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Don't Take Your Eyes Off Mistras (The Motley Fool)

Mistras Group (NYSE: MG - News), which provides technology-enabled non-destructive testing solutions, recently reported better-than-expected results for the first quarter with profits surging a whopping 103%. Let's take a closer look at the impressive numbers.

Rise and fall
Revenue increased by 34% to $91.4 million due to increased demand for inspection services along with an increase in "run and maintain" or "evergreen" contracts. Advanced non-destructive testing services, which have higher margins than traditional NDT services, also increased noticeably over the last year. NDT services are basically analysis techniques to evaluate the properties of a material, component, or system cost-effectively and without causing damage. Increased growth of 40% from targets other than oil and gas also added to the revenue.

Oil and gas contributed 56% to the top line, down from 61% in the same period previous year. Gross profits decreased because of lower margins associated with the energy sector caused by longer contracts and a high concentration of traditional NDT services. When it came to new contracts, the company was not able to command prices, which may lead to lower margins in the short term. However, Mistras put a sizable effort in improving gross profits by focusing on utilization rates of its service technicians, controlling other costs of revenues, and introducing more advanced NDT tools to its services segment.

The net effect on the bottom line was a whopping 103% increase to $3.2 million, primarily due to an increase in revenue. The growth could have been higher but was stymied by higher selling, general, and administrative expenses. These were borne from infrastructure- and acquisitions-related costs.

Is it just Mistras or is it an industry trend?
Although the three-digit growth was not felt across the board, peers didn't do badly either. Team (Nasdaq: TISI - News) put up a good show in its last quarter with a 78% increase in net income. Furmanite (NYSE: FRM - News) also experienced a 98% increase in the bottom line. This shows that the industry is going through a strong positive trend.

And this is a big advantage for Mistras as it is well-positioned as a "one source asset protection solution" provider for its customers. In other words, it is like a one-stop shop. This should assist the company in further enhancing its top line.

Mistras, which earns a major chunk of revenues from the oil and gas industry, has many midstream and upstream companies as its clients. This particular sector is poised for huge growth given the high natural gas reserves around the world and the demand associated with it. The impending expansion should also increase opportunities for Mistras' services.

What's cooking?
Mistras Group has shown a strong uptrend through its top-line growth. The company's positioning as a one-stop shop within the target market has the potential to maintain the growth momentum. Given that it can market its services well, I believe it is worth keeping an eye on.

Abantika Chatterjee does not own shares of the companies mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Christmas shopping is easy. Buy books. (hamptonroads)

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