Illini's Williams poised to set record against ISU

Illinois State (0-1) at Illinois (0-1)

When: 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium

TV: BTN Radio: WIND 560-AM.

Series: Illinois leads 2-0.

Coaches: Brock Spack (0-1, first year at ISU); Ron Zook (23-37, fifth year at Illinois; 46-51 overall).

Players to watch: Illinois State QB Drew Kiel completed a school-record 20 of 22 passes at Eastern Illinois on Sept. 3, but he also tore a ligament in his thumb. That means redshirt freshman Matt Brown makes his first start in ISU's most-viewed game of the year. He hit 5 of 8 passes for 26 yards after Kiel's injury in ISU's 31-6 loss. Senior wideout Eyad Salem (Larkin HS) was one of three Redbirds to make the Missouri Valley preseason all-league team, though he caught just 5 passes for 17 yards against EIU. Wheeling's Nick Bledsoe and Warren's Chris Riley comprise the left side of ISU's offensive line.

Illinois QB Juice Williams makes his 36th consecutive start and needs just 220 total yards to overtake Kurt Kittner as the school's all-time leader in total offense. Junior slot receiver Arrelious Benn is good to go after suffering a high right ankle sprain at the outset of last week's loss to Missouri. Running backs Daniel Dufrene (ankle) and Jason Ford (ankle) should play, but Mikel Leshoure won't after being suspended for violating team rules.

The skinny: The Illini vow they're not deflated after getting whipped 37-9 by Missouri, but it'll be important for them to jump on the Redbirds from the start and "go for the jugular," as coach Ron Zook said this week. Not just because they need to gain confidence, but because this is the last tuneup for the Big Ten opener on Sept. 26 at Ohio State. Pay close attention to Illinois' secondary, which didn't acquit itself at Mizzou. One other nugget? Illinois has lost the turnover margin in nine of its last 14 games dating back to the Rose Bowl. Not coincidentally, Zook's crew has a 1-8 record in those games. The only win came against Eastern Illinois.