Illini QB Scheelhaase a quick study
CHAMPAIGN -- As a redshirt freshman quarterback taking his first spin through the treacherous Big Ten, Nathan Scheelhaase's weekly numbers are going to rise and fall depending on the quality of the opponent.
For example, when Illinois visits No. 13 Michigan State on Saturday, it's not realistic to expect Scheelhaase to match last week's 15-of-19 performance at Penn State with no turnovers.
There's a chance he might not equal those numbers the rest of the season but don't ever wonder whether Scheelhaase improves each week.
The unflappable Kansas City, Mo., native proved at least twice during the Penn State game that he learns from his mistakes.
On a third-down play during Illinois' opening-day loss against Missouri, Scheelhaase noticed the Tigers' safeties creeping toward the line of scrimmage during his presnap read.
Though he saw the blitz coming and knew it could blow up Illinois' planned play, he didn't do anything about it.
“I didn't check out of a call we had and we weren't able to (convert) that third down, Scheelhaase said. “Everything was happening and it was just one of those things. I missed it.
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and quarterbacks coach Jeff Brohm could have sympathized with Scheelhaase seeing as how it was his college debut but instead they dinged him for an “MA on his grade sheet and made him accountable.
Fast-forward five Saturdays to Illinois' victorious visit to Happy Valley, when the potential for a similar missed assignment reared its ugly head.
“There was a third down in the game where their safeties walked down pretty low, Scheelhaase said. “We were able to (switch) to an inside run instead of where those safeties were blitzing and able to get the first down.
That's growth over a five-week stretch, but Scheelhaase proved he rides the learning curve much faster as well.
Remember Illinois' ill-fated drive late in the Ohio State game when the offense faced third-and-7 from the Bucks' 13 and the Illini needed a touchdown to tie?
Scheelhaase dropped back to pass and didn't see his first and second options open but grew antsy instead of staying patient and locating his check-down receiver.
He wound up chucking the ball out of the end zone and Illinois settled for a field goal when it needed more.
“I kind of got to moving and didn't really look at the third guy, Scheelhaase said.
Once again, fast-forward to the Penn State game. Facing third-and-5 from the Nittany Lions' 48 early in the fourth quarter, Scheelhaase quickly progressed past his first receiver.
He brought his arm forward and nearly threw to second target Ryan Lankford, who ran a curl just beyond the first-down marker but instead turned to his left and flipped the ball to Mikel Leshoure in the flat. Leshoure burst down the sideline for a 32-yard gain.
“I was able to focus 1, 2 and then check it down to 3, Scheelhaase said. “He was able to get us a ton of yards on that play.
Scheelhaase's improving ability to go through his reads doesn't just help him move the ball through the air. Remember, he's Illinois' No. 2 rusher with 277 yards and gets a good chunk of that via scrambles.
“If (the pass) isn't there, just by him looking and going through (the progression), now the lanes are even bigger to run and there's more room, Brohm said. “Before he'd take off too soon and nothing really developed and he wouldn't get as many yards.
Scheelhaase's next challenge? Proving he can beat a press defense with his arm.
Penn State's preference to play zone meshed perfectly with Scheelhaase's skills. He found wideout A.J. Jenkins on short curls as well as drag routes over the middle.
“You're going to face some teams that are going to press you up and get in your face and make you complete the balls down the field, Brohm said. “Michigan State's one of those teams. They're going to challenge you.
“We work on throwing the ball down the field every week. He knows that's what he's got to get better at but he has gotten better. We've just got to make some plays up the field and let them know we can throw the ball.