Illinois looks to get better

CHAMPAIGN - As one might expect after a $116 million renovation, historic Memorial Stadium glistened and impressed Saturday.

"It's like you're somewhere else," gushed Hall of Fame wide receiver David Williams, gazing up at the new three-story structure atop the west side. "You can't tell me this isn't the best stadium in the country."

As one might expect after getting the chance to be cheered by 60,131 Illinois fans, Williams and 45 more of the school's greatest legends beamed as they soaked up one more massive round of applause.

And, as one might expect after setting Ron Zook-era records for points and largest lead, Illinois' current players basked in the glow of their 47-21 victory over Eastern Illinois.

Oh, wait. That last thing didn't happen.

After committing 5 turnovers and surrendering 183 rushing yards to EIU tailback Travorus Bess, the Illini did more sulking than celebrating after outmanning a Football Championship Subdivision squad.

"We went into the locker room as a defense and we were walking in like we just lost," said Illinois sophomore linebacker Martez Wilson. "Because we know we let them rush for too many yards, we missed a couple tackles, and they scored on plays they shouldn't have scored on."

Illinois (1-1) built a 47-7 lead early in the fourth quarter primarily because the Panthers (0-2) couldn't tackle Juice Williams.

The junior broke his own school record for quarterbacks as he rushed 16 times for 174 yards and two scores. "You establish the run game early, it opens up everything," he said.

After Williams' elusive option keepers and scrambles set the tone, that cleared the way for Dan Dufrene, Arrelious Benn and the rest of the Illini running corps.

Dufrene rushed for a career-high 99 yards, Benn registered his first 2 rushing touchdowns, freshman Mikel LeShoure notched 49 yards and redshirt freshman Troy Pollard scampered 25 yards for his first career score.

"We were going to try to get the option going," Zook said. "That was something we felt like we needed to work on - and we did."

Illinois' defenders, meanwhile, came away with a feeling strikingly similar to the one after last week's loss to Missouri: They're struggling with the basics.

"It's tackling," said senior defensive tackle David Lindquist. "It's all going out there with emotion and just trying to knock somebody's head off. Having 11 men on the team trying to do that is how you have a dominant defense."

Illinois did have a brilliant goal-line stand that helped the score go from 13-7 to 26-7 in the final three minutes of the first half.

EIU had third-and-1 at Illinois' 6, but middle linebacker Brit Miller tackled Desmin Ward for no gain on third down. Then true freshman Tavon Wilson, in his fourth career play at cornerback, brought down fullback Chip Keys for a 1-yard loss on fourth down.