Illini's speed lineup can't stuff the run
ST. LOUIS - Illinois tried its best to put speed on the field to deal with Missouri's fast-paced offense.
Will Davis, projected as an all-Big Ten defensive end, started at defensive tackle and played most of his snaps there.
Meanwhile, the Illini started in the nickel package and almost never had more than two linebackers on the field simultaneously. While this forced Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniel to make some throws quicker than he might have wanted, it also opened up huge lanes for the Tigers' running backs.
Sophomore tailback Derrick Washington needed just 8 carries to rush for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half. The Tigers averaged 10.2 yards per carry en route to a 31-13 halftime lead.
First-timers: Wide receiver Fred Sykes' decision to come to Illinois a semester early paid off.
Sykes, a true freshman from Tampa, Fla., was the only rookie in the Illini's starting lineup Saturday night.
Taking advantage of Jeff Cumberland's foot injury that might keep him out another week, Sykes caught 2 passes for 37 yards in the first half.
Tight end Hubie Graham, linebacker Russ Ellington, running backs Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure and wide receivers Cordale Scott and A.J. Jenkins also made appearances from the ballyhooed 2008 recruiting class.
Kicking woes: Illinois coach Ron Zook promised early in the week that he had three kickers who could win for him in the Big Ten.
On Thursday, he announced that redshirt freshman Matt Eller had won the job. That meant the Illini's other two kickers - Derek Dimke and Matt Brandabur - stayed home because they could only travel with 70 players.
Eller wound up drilling his first extra-point attempt into the line, which kept Illinois from pulling into a 7-7 tie late in the first quarter.
Zook also eschewed a shot at a 51-yard field goal with less than three minutes to go in the first half.
Illinois punted to Missouri's 13, but Chase Daniel directed an 87-yard touchdown drive that put the Tigers up 31-13 just 20 seconds before halftime.