Illinois Starts Slow But Tops Arkansas State 33-15
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois started slow but used 100-yard receiving days from A.J. Jenkins and Darius Millines to open the season with a 33-15 win over Arkansas State on Saturday.
Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase threw for a career-best 267 yards. His 16 completions went to Jenkins, who had 11 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown, and Millines, who caught five balls for 199 yards and a score.
Jason Ford rushed for 86 yards and two TDs for Illinois.
The Red Wolves led 8-7 with less than three minutes left in the first half on a safety and a pair of field goals.
But Illinois answered with Millines' touchdown and a field goal before halftime. Jenkins scored his TD early in the third quarter.
Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin was 20 of 32 for 290 yards.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
