Rain ends scrimmage after just 15 plays

RANTOUL — Good thing Illinois’ first-string offense didn’t waste time establishing its dominance during Saturday night’s scrimmage.

Just 15 plays into the squad’s first big scrimmage, the last of several thunderstorms swept through Rantoul High School and postponed the rest of play until 3 p.m. Sunday.

Before the players and coaches headed to the buses, burly senior running back Jason Ford slashed outside for an 8-yard touchdown run against the second-team defense.

The first-string offense needed just five plays to fly 61 yards on that first drive.

Nathan Scheelhaase hit Darius Millines for a pair of double-digit gains as the first-stringers produced 80 total yards in nine plays overall.

The first-string defense held the second-team offense to minus-13 yards in 6 plays thanks to a pair of “sacks” against Miles Osei.

Blitzing linebacker Jonathan Brown registered a touch sack on third down to end the first drive. Blitzing linebacker Trulon Henry and defensive end Whitney Mercilus teamed up for a sack to end the second drive.