Brent begins career with tackle for loss

CHAMPAIGN -- Arrelious Benn and Martez Wilson garnered most of the preseason attention among those in Illinois' prized freshman class.

But defensive tackle Josh Brent reminded everyone in Saturday's 21-0 victory over Western Illinois why he was rated a national top-100 recruit, too.

Brent didn't play his first college snap until the second quarter opened, but he wasted no time making an impact.

The 6-foot-2, 320-pound Brent shoved his way into the backfield and dropped running back Herb Donaldson for a 4-yard loss, then leaped around like crazy after earning Illinois' only tackle-for-loss in the first half.

"The running back was basically right there in my lap," Brent said. "A TFL to start the college career is a great way. It's tough to match that lining up for the second snap."

Brent wasn't the only Illini to make his collegiate debut Saturday.

Third-string running back Troy Pollard (4 carries, 26 yards) and cornerback Marcus "Miami" Thomas were the other true freshmen to get their feet wet, while redshirt freshman Ryan Palmer subbed for right tackle Akim Millington on a few drives.

Sophomore fullback Rahkeem Smith (Willowbrook), who switched from linebacker in the preseason, made his first career start as Illinois came out in a tight I-formation from its own 2-yard line.

Hoops time: Illinois played host to five basketball recruits Saturday -- and just happened to time their unofficial visits with appearances by Luther Head and Dee Brown.

Of course, Head had an extra reason to be here. His brother, Crandall, a 6-foot-4 sophomore at Rich South, was one of the five visitors.

St. Joseph junior guard Diamond Taylor, Sterling junior guard Joseph Bertrand, Whitney Young sophomore guard Anthony Johnson and St. Joseph sophomore guard DeAndre McCamey also scrimmaged at the Ubben Practice Facility prior to the football game.

Chief! When the Marching Illini kicked into their traditional "3 in 1" formation at halftime, many of the 48,301 fans in attendance screamed, "Chief!"

The "Block I" student section in the new north end-zone stands was supposed to offer some sort of signage tribute to the departed Chief Illiniwek, but it didn't come off.

Gamble sits out: True freshman receiver Brian Gamble, who posted 4 catches in last week's opener, didn't play Saturday for violating team policy.

"Brian's going to be a good player," said coach Ron Zook. "But Brian's going to do it our way: student first, player second. The best way to get to Brian is to take something that he loves to do away from him."

Zook expects Gamble to play Saturday at Syracuse.