Wisconsin tailback Dwayne Smith ran away with Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors this week after helping the Badgers to a 38-20 win over Illinois at Memorial Stadium Saturday.

The Illini only ran to the bottom of the Big Ten ranks in rushing.

Smith, who rushed for 193 yards filling in for the injured Anthony Davis, made up most of Wisconsin's rushing game, which outran the Illini 307 yards to 64.

Wisconsin is now in second place in the Big Ten in rushing. Illinois sits in last place with 115.6 yards a game.

On Monday, Illinois fullback Carey Davis blamed Illinois' lack of run production on falling behind early in games.

"We've got to get a lead. We're never going to run the ball unless we do. We're going to pass the ball to get back in the game," said Davis, who made a return after three games out with 23 rushing yards on two carries. "We pretty much spotted them 21 points before we got going as an offense, and we can't keep doing that."

The Illini fell behind 21-0 early. Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer put in 207 yards of offense on 41 attempted passes. Illinois leads the Big Ten in passing offense.

That's not a problem the Illini had last year in their win against Wisconsin. Illinois rushed for 185 yards, 158 of which belonged to graduated Illini tailback Antoineo Harris.

Illinois head coach Ron Turner said part of the difference was the Illini's early retreat Saturday.

"And part of it is we're not the same team. There's different offensive lineman," Turner said. "We're maybe not as physical as we were, and still trying to come together as an offensive line."

Turner blamed much of Wisconsin's line domination to the Badgers being more physical and aggressive — not to wanting it more.

"It's not a question of desire at all. This team has tremendous desire, tremendous want to, tremendous character," Turner said. "The effort was exceptional ... It was just a matter of getting it done."

The Illini might have even more trouble this Saturday when they face a Purdue rushing defense that Turner calls "unbelievable." The Boilermakers have allowed 55.2 rushing yards a game, third in the Big Ten.

Despite recent problems, Turner said he does not see any major changes to the offensive line in the Illini's future.

"The record we have is not just the offensive line. It's the whole team deal," Turner said. "There really are no changes to make. We talk about our personnel every week and if there was something we could do to play better, then obviously we would do that. But we don't see that happening."

Backtalk

Turner and Davis responded Monday to recent fan advice and criticism about the Illini's rough 1-4 start.

"I'll tell those people that are calling in to come out and do it themselves if they think they can do better. If you've never coached and you've never played, then you have no right to say anything about what we're trying to do out here," Davis said. "I understand their frustration, but I can guarantee they're not more frustrated than us."

Turner said he also understands the upset fans, some of whom even argued Turner should be fired on local radio shows. But he said he still believes in the way the team is doing things.

"If you're doing something wishy-washy, and you're not sure about the players and you're not sure what you're doing ... then I think that stuff would get to you," Turner said. "But I know what we're doing is right. The way we're practicing, the way we're preparing, our game plan is right. And if we continue to work hard and do what we're doing, it will pay off. We're doing it the right way."

Tough call

Turner had time Sunday to review the Wisconsin game tape and look at the referees' crucial roughing the passer call on Illini defensive tackle Charles Gilstrap.

Gilstrap was called for a late shove on Badgers quarterback Jim Sorgi after Illini linebacker Antonio Mason ran an interception for a touchdown late in the third quarter. Wisconsin got the ball back and scored a touchdown on the drive.

"Based on what we were told coming into the season that they were going to tighten up on that, when you see the final shove, it probably was a good call," Turner said. "The only problem I have with it [is] they did an almost identical thing earlier in the game in the second quarter that was not called. I can see why they called it ... the only thing is I ask for consistency.

"It was not a smart play. He should have pulled off."

In the Big Ten ranks

After its 1-4 start, Illinois sits with only Indiana in the bottom of the Big Ten barrel.

Ohio State and Minnesota lead the conference with their 5-0 starts.

The No. 3 Buckeyes and No. 21 Golden Gophers also lead six Big Ten teams in Sunday's Associated Press poll, the most of any conference, followed by the SEC's five ranked teams.

Michigan is ranked No. 9. Purdue and Iowa are ranked No. 22 and 23, and Michigan State sits in the last spot at No. 25.

MAC conference power Northern Illinois, which beat Iowa State 24-16 to advance to 4-0, sits at No. 17.