A lot of Illinois fans are curious these days about what Ron Guenther is thinking in regard to the football program now that the Illini are firmly entrenched in last place in the Big Ten.

The reclusive athletic director has not been seen, but coach Ron Zook said the two got together Sunday morning and talked mostly about the team.

“We talked this morning and watched some tape,” Zook said. “I don’t think this is the point to assess things as a whole. No one is more frustrated than him. We talked about a lot of things but nothing about the whole assessment of the program.”

Beat writers who cover the team were hoping to talk to Guenther after the game in Bloomington on Saturday night but that request didn’t amount to much. He hasn’t been seen in the press box since the Ohio State game.

In regard to his thoughts on the quarterback situation, Zook said he wasn’t sure which direction he would take for the Illini’s game at Purdue.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure of the best thing to do,” he said after Illinois scored 14 points against a defense that had been ravaged the previous three weeks.

Zook said safety Donsay Hardeman has what amounts to a stiff neck after Saturday night’s care. Hardeman didn’t want to be placed on the board or go to the hospital but medical staff insisted for precautionary reasons. He will not be allowed to have contact in practice until the pain is gone, Zook said.