Illinois not rushing to any conclusions
After leading the Big Ten in rushing each of the last two years, Illinois doesn't seem primed for a three-peat.
Either that or the Illini defense is gearing up for a monstrous fall.
With 2,000 fans braving slicing rain and near-freezing temperatures to preview Ron Zook's post-Rose Bowl entry, Illinois' defense dominated a 90-minute scrimmage at Lemont High School that served as the school's now-traditional Chicago spring game.
During Saturday's 13 "normal" drives, Illinois' inexperienced running backs combined for 26 yards on 16 carries, while incumbent quarterbacks Juice Williams and Eddie McGee completed 11 of 27 passes for 72 yards and 3 interceptions.
Veteran cornerback Dere Hicks picked off one of Williams' passes on the sideline and ran it back for a defensive score.
The offense's lone touchdown came when McGee, wearing a red jersey that kept the defense from hitting him, scrambled 57 yards for a score that wouldn't have happened in a regular game.
Where have you gone, Rashard Mendenhall?
"I see that we're going to have to find somebody," said Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. "That's probably been the biggest disappointment thus far in the spring.
"You know, any time you lose a guy like Rashard and his 1,700 yards, obviously we would expect somebody to be able to step up.
"And right now that's been the biggest concern I have … trying to find a guy that's going to run the ball physical and give us a chance to make some of the plays Rashard made for us in the past."
To be fair, Illinois has been working all spring without second-team all-Big Ten center Ryan McDonald and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Arrelious Benn.
In addition, junior right guard Jon Asamoah, the line's most athletic starter, has been slowed by injuries.
That has made it more difficult for junior Daniel Dufrene, incoming freshman Mikel LeShoure and redshirt freshman Darius Purcell, who switched from safety last month, to gain confidence.
"I'm making an excuse," said tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, who caught several passes to foreshadow his increased role in the fall. "We have some guys missing and (the defense) is all full-strength.
"But they're playing good. They're going to be one of the best defenses in the Big Ten."
Veteran starting ends Derek Walker and Will Davis each registered "sacks" to lead the defense's 7 plays for negative yardage.
Hicks picked off a pair of Williams' passes while sophomore Bo Flowers, part of a four-way battle for the open safety spots, deflected a McGee pass into cornerback Miami Thomas' hands.
"The offense is playing a few guys short, which makes a big, big difference," Zook said. "I thought the defense played extremely well, except we didn't tackle very well."