Final: Missouri 37, Illinois 9

Video: Asmussen after the game

Fans: Fire Ron Zook

Chat: Ask Asmussen in the press box

Saturday's summary

LIVE REPORT

ST. LOUIS - Add another year to Missouri's domination of Illinois at the Edward Jones Dome. At least.

For the fifth consecutive time since 2002, the Tigers beat the Illini. And this time, unlike the previous four games, it wasn't close. With first-time starter Blaine Gabbert looking a lot like Chase Daniel, Missouri rolled 37-9.

Leading 16-3 at halftime, Missouri scored a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game away.

The game was painful for the Illini on the scoreboard and in the training room. Three plays into the game, Illinois lost its top offensive threat. After a 9-yard catch, Arrelious Benn left the field with an ankle injury. He was attended to on the sideline before going off the field. He never returned.

Tailback Jason Ford, playing for injured Daniel Dufrene, was also lost to an ankle injury in the first half. And receiver Jarred Fayson, asked to do more with Benn out, left in the third quarter.

Gabbert outplayed Juice Williams, a senior who is closing on the Illinois career total offense record. He had three touchdown passes and 287 yards after three quarters. Danario Alexander had nine catches for 131 yards.

Missouri scored on its opening drive of the game. Anthony Santella pinned the Tigers at their 7 with a 36-yard punt. But Gabbert drove Missouri 79 yards to the Illinois 14. The drive stalled and Grant Ressel hit a 31-yard field goal.

The Tigers took a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. St. Louis product Gabbert hooked up with another local player, Wes Kemp, on a 49-yard touchdown reception.

The lone Illinois points of the first half came on Matt Eller's short field goal with 13:40 left in the second quarter. Illinois drove deep into Missouri territory in the final minutes of the half. But on fourth and 1 at 20, Williams tripped and lost 4 yards.

Ressel hit two more field goals in the second quarter to give Missouri a 16-3 lead.

Illinois helped Missouri with a pair of turnovers. Williams was intercepted in the first half when his pass went off A.J. Jenkins' hands into the arms of Missouri's Hardy Ricks.

In the third quarter, an Illinois drive ended in Missouri territory when receiver Jeff Cumberland fumbled at the end of a 16-yard reception. Gabbert didn't miss the opportunity, throwing a 46-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Jared Perry in the center of the field. Perry outraced the Illlinois defenders to the end zone.

Illinois cut into the lead with 13:19 of the fourth quarter on Mikel Leshoure's short run. But Eller missed the extra point.

8:40 left in fourth quarter - Missouri 37, Illinois 9

- Blaine Gabbert looks like a world-beater. Illinois can't get out of here soon enough.

- Headline suggestions?

"Thumped"
"Here We Go Again"
"End This Series Now"
"Bring on Illinois State"
"Gabbert the Great" (for Mizzou fans)

- Today's attendance (64,215) ranks second in the State Farm Arch Rivalry series: 66, 441 in 2008, 62,352 in 2007, 63, 576 in 2003 and 61,876 in 2002.

- With a rushing touchdown up the middle, Gabbert put the finishing touches on this rout. He made it 37-9 and sent more than half the Illinois crowd slogging toward the exits.

Back in a few with the final.

End of third quarter - Missouri 30, Illinois 3

- After his second passing TD of the third quarter, Gabbert was 22-for-31 with 287 yards and three touchdowns in his Dome debut. On the other hand, Juice was 12-for-21 with 135 yards and an INT.

- Vahe Gregorian of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch told us Missouri would probably view a successful season if it finished 7-5 or 8-4, with a chance to win the Big 12 North on the final weekend of the season. Expectations are sure to rise after this display.

- One of the few bright spots for Illinois has been the play of Mikel Leshoure. He has six carries for 32 yards and four catches for 41 yards.

- Announced attendance today: 64,215.

Back in a few. If you're still reading/watching.

7:34 left in third quarter - Missouri 23, Illinois 3

- Even from up here you could see the slumping shoulders on the UI sideline as Jeff Cumberland fumbled at the Mizzou 25. Their second turnover killed any sort of momentum the Illini had.

- Illinois' record since the big win at Ohio State in 2007: 6-8.

- Points allowed by the UI defense in those games: 22, 49, 52, 21, 17, 38, 20, 27, 13, 27, 24, 23, 30, 27.

- Perhaps more of a concern, the Illinois offense has mustered just 17, 27, 17, 20, 10 (and now 3) points in its last six games.

- Illinois looks like a defeated team on its sideline.

- No Jarred Fayson on that last series. Bob's searching for the wideout through his binoculars. He can't find Fayson on the Illinois sideline. He's not there.

- Another series, another Illinois punt. Anthony Santella has averaged 38.3 yards on three punts.

Back in a few.

11:20 left in third quarter - Missouri 23, Illinois 3

- Shoddy tackling by the Illinois defense led to a pair of big plays from Mizzou wideout Danario Alexander. Not sure which has been more disappointing - the Illinois defense or the Illinois offense.

- Gabbert was 4-for-5 for 77 yards on that scoring drive, which ended in a touchdown reception by Jerrell Jackson. In his first career start, Gabbert is having his way.

- Bob says Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy are on the Illinois sideline. He confirms they have no eligibility remaining.

- Klee picked Missouri. He got lucky. Missouri didn't. The Tigers are just better.

Back in a few.

14:54 left in third quarter - Missouri 16, Illinois 3

- Arrelious Benn and Jason Ford both have ankle injuries and will not return to the game, UI sports info said. Big blow(s) for the Illini.

Back in a minute.

Halftime - Missouri 16, Illinois 3

- We're told Arrelious Benn has an ankle injury. No word on the extent of the injury. He was down in the tunnel, apparently trying to test it, but didn't return after the first series. No sign of Rejus during halftime warmups, either.

- Bob says Jason Ford also is injured. Doesn't know the extent of that injury, but Mikel Leshoure has played well in the starter's absence.

- This Missouri scheme seems to be similarly productive to somewhere like Texas Tech. No matter the quarterback or skill guys, they put up some yards. Count 'em up: 193 yards of total offense for the Tigers in the first half. Not a huge number, but for Illinois in this St. Louis series, it's more of the same. In 2008 and 2007, Missouri piled up 549 and 429 yards, respectively.

- Bob says Josh Brent hasn't played much. He's on the sideline but not on the field.

- On the plus side for Illinois fans, your team played poorly but could be down three touchdowns. Still very much in the game, but the margin for error is slim.

Back in a few.

5:50 left in second quarter - Missouri 13, Illinois 3

- Bob says Martez Wilson has played well the last two series. Holding Mizzou to a field goal after the interception was big for the UI defense.

- Still no sign of Arrelious Benn on the sideline.

- Eddie McGee lined up at quarterback - with Juice out wide - on the last two plays. Those two plays accounted for minus-5 yards and Juice promptly returned to the shotgun.

- Illinois with a big break on an iffy roughing-the-kicker call. Instead of Missouri having possession in Illinois territory, the Illini got a first down. Those in the press box were surprised it was of the 15-yard variety.

- Mikel Leshoure has been effective. The Centennial product has been the most productive tailback thus far.

- Graham Pocic in the game for Jon Asamoah at right guard, Bob says.

- Illinois on the move, down to the Mizzou 23.

Back in a few.

9:40 left in second quarter - Missouri 10, Illinois 3

- The ol' rugby punt pinned Illinois at its own 6. That followed Illinois' first defensive stop of the day.

- Mikel Leshoure at tailback to start the series, stopped at the line of scrimmage on the first play and his first carry.

- Big third-down completion from Juice, who found Leshoure for a first down on 3rd-and-10 from their own 6, preventing a dangerous punting situation.

- Sean Weatherspoon and his 500-pound bench press with a hard hit on Troy Pollard.

- Hardy Ricks intercepted Juice on the next play. The pass slipped through the hands of A.J. Jenkins and Ricks returned the ball to the Illinois 26.

- Could this game have started any worse for Illinois?

Back in a few.

13:40 left in second quarter - Missouri 10, Illinois 3

- Illinois isn't divulging any information about Arrelious Benn's injury. He's still not on the sideline.

You might remember from today's N-G: "We need to have 9 on the field as much as possible," Mike Schultz said.

Back in a few.

End of first quarter - Missouri 10, Illinois 0

- A former UI recruiting target, Wes Kemp, scored on a 49-yard touchdown reception from Gabbert. Cue the "Here we go agains." Or, you can just remind Mizzou that Illinois has a nine-game win streak in the Braggin' Rights series.

- A first-time starter, Gabbert has 137 yards of total offense already. That drive lasted six plays and traveled 75 yards.

- Donsay Hardeman got beat on that one. The questions were about the Missouri defense, but it's the Illinois defense that looks shaky (at best).

- The Mizzou crowd is on its feet. The Illinois crowd is not. Still early, though.

- Somewhere, Loren Tate just threw his pen.

- Illinois has stayed with two linebackers - Ian Thomas and Martez Wilson - and five defensive backs.

- Still no sign of Arrelious Benn - on the field or on the sideline - on Illinois' third series.

- Illinois made a change at right tackle. Corey Lewis is in the game in place of Ryan Palmer.

- Mikel and Leshoure and Troy Pollard were in the backfield on a 15-yard run by Pollard.

- Not shaky: Jarred Fayson. Ballsy catch by the first-year Illini, stretching out and taking a hit on a 24-yard reception from Juice. He has three catches for 41 yards and looks to be the real deal.

- Mike Schultz said he would script the first 10-12 plays from scrimmage.

Klee's Corner publishes again Sunday on HQ. A few basketball notes from this week's Corner...

- A recent mock draft by one Web site projected Illinois forward Mike Davis as the 21st pick in the 2011 NBA draft. His reaction?

"It's humbling, I would say. It's a great feeling to be on lists like that," he said. "But we still have to take care of business here. If we win, that will take care of itself. I'm just looking forward to the season, trying to get us to the Sweet 16 and beyond."

- You might remember that Davis didn't arrive at Illinois until August of his freshman year. His initial plan was to enroll in prep school for a year and then choose a college. If he had taken the prep school route, the chances were "slim to none" he would be playing at Illinois, he said.

"I probably would have gone somewhere else," he said. "I probably would have gone to the ACC. I'm glad I came here. I've learned the game of basketball, I've learned how to play defense. That's going to help me in the future. I'm glad I came here. I love it here."

- ALEX LEGION is the favorite in the Illini's timed mile run. The junior, who had the fastest time last season, is arguably the team's best-conditioned player. "He runs the mile in like 5:12, something crazy like that," Davis said.

Back in a few.

7:23 left in first quarter - Missouri 3, Illinois 0

- We're way up here, but Blaine Gabbert looks huge. And he is huge (6-5, 240), and mobile too. Doesn't look like a first-start quarterback to this point, except for that intentional grounding call.

- Bob says Rahkeem Smith, a converted fullback, was on the defensive line in Missouri's second series.

- A mobile quarterback still is giving Illinois fits. Gabbert had 20 yards on his first three carries. That's been typical in this series.

- Corey Liuget is off to a positive start. He's been in a couple tackles and got to Gabbert once.

- Mizzou's Grant Ressel booted his first career field goal to put the Tigers ahead after a 79-yard drive that started at the Mizzou 7.

- Benn was on the first kickoff return, but he wasn't on the second kickoff return. We don't see him on the sideline, either. Bob confirms that Arrelious is not out there. He was getting treated on the sideline after that first series. If we hear an injury update we'll let you know. Troy Pollard and A.J. Jenkins are back to return the kick.

Back in a few.

12:00 left in first quarter - Illinois 0, Missouri 0

- Jason Ford started at tailback for Illinois.

- Jarred Fayson caught Juice's first pass of the day - and Fayson's first catch since the 2007 season at Florida.

- The first five plays included completions to Chris Duvalt, Arrelious Benn and Fayson, a testament to the depth of skill players on this offense.

- Sean Weatherspoon hasn't yet squeezed the Juice.

- Crowd looks to be 50-50 orange-gold/black. And it's loud.

- Santella pinned Mizzou at its own 7 on his first punt of the season.

- After the first series, Arrelious Benn limped off the field and is getting treated on the Illinois sideline.

Back in a few.

Kickoff - Illinois vs. Missouri

- Bob's analysis: for once in the last 10 years of this series, Illinois has to play loose. They've always been on their heels - on the defensive - and they need to take the offensive. Bob said the Illinois players yesterday looked relaxed. One of the young guys was filming the walk-through because it was his first trip here. Lots of headphones. Bob likes their relaxed approach.

- Bob thinks Illinois will be 60/40 run-pass in the early going. He says Illinois thinks it can run on this Mizzou defense.

- The crowd is thin so far. We'll call it late-arriving. Still ton of people in the parking lot across the street from the EJD. Beer's still cold, you know.

- Somebody call Loren Tate and tell him the game's about to start. Today we'll have to imagine Loren throwing his pen after a Juice incompletion.

9: junior/senior expected starters on offense, 9 junior/senior starters on defense for Illinois.

5: junior/senior expected starters on offense, 9 junior/senior starters on defense for Missouri.

0-5: Illinois' record in neutral-site season openers.

0: Pre-game handshakes between the teams. The four captains from Illinois and four captains from Missouri man-hugged at midfield. Illinois won the toss and took the ball, a break from Ron Zook tradition.

Back in a few.

20 minutes before kickoff

So-so start for the Big Ten...

Ohio State escaped Navy 31-27.

Iowa escaped Northern Iowa 17-16.

Syracuse leads Minnesota 20-17.

Purdue leads Toledo 45-31.

Northwestern beat Towson 47-14.

Penn State beat Akron 31-7.

Michigan State beat Montana State 44-3.

Back at the dome...

- Illinois is back in the locker room, Mizzou still out on the field.

- Solid interview with Mike Schultz on HQ today. The first-year offensive coordinator explains how he met his wife, among other things.

"People are going to think bad of me. I was flying into Austin and she was a swimmer at the University of Texas," Schultz said. "I was a very young coach. I was only 24 at the time. I was a full-time coach at the University of Texas-El Paso. She had actually been out with one of my friends a couple of times. He was in the wedding, that's why I don't feel too bad.

"That's when Calvin Klein jeans were in. I looked at her and said, "Calvin Klein had you in mind when he designed those jeans." It worked. Kind of corny, but it worked. I chased pretty hard for a long time. I recruited her. I chased her until she quit running and then I caught her."

- You can find some pre-game photos, including some tailgating photos with the good people from Tuscola, if you click here.

Back in a few.

30 minutes before kickoff

Buzz in the press box concerns Navy's shocking bid to upset Ohio State. Navy just missed a two-point conversion - a pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown - that would have tied the score at 29 with 2:23 left in the fourth quarter. Most in the press box were rooting for overtime. Not those from the Big Ten office, of course.

Mizzou and Illinois are both on the field going through warmups. Fans are starting to file in. Will be interesting to see if the shoddy weather affects attendance today. Asmussen says Illinois sold 14,000 tickets while Mizzou sold 18,000. There's more orange than gold in the dome. Strangely quiet in here at the moment.

Ryan Bonner, offensive coordinator for the St. Thomas More freshman football team, reports he just won $80 at the boat. Good work.

Daniel Dufrene (ankle) looks like he has about four pounds of tape on his right ankle. Bob says Dufrene is questionable. Marcus and I don't think he'll play, but that's just a guess. That depth at tailback is a bonus here.

Bob was watching Anthony Santella and the punter was struggling.

Missouri basketball coach Mike Anderson is up here in the press box. Earlier this week Bruce Weber - who loves this football game - said he wasn't sure if he would be in attendance. I don't think he'll be here, though. Jerrance Howard said he was heading down for the game.

We'll post photos on HQ at halftime and post-game. The Live Report continues through the final buzzer.

Back in a few.

Klee

45 minutes before kickoff

Marcus Jackson here. Check out our prep sports Web site for the results from last night’s area high school football action.

Champaign Central dominated longtime rival Urbana 50-0 last night in Champaign. It looks like Central has itself a pretty special player in Denzel Stewart. The senior ran for 155 yards and returned a kickoff 71 yards on a highlight-reel run. Colleges around the country are taking an interest in Stewart, including Illinois, Illinois State, Eastern and Purdue.

Keep an eye on Tolono Unity in Class 3A, too. The Rockets have some size and speed and Seth Gooch is a playmaker out of the backfield and in the secondary. Marcus Jackson saw Gooch and the Rockets last night and wouldn’t be surprised to see them playing deep into November and maybe at Memorial Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend.

50 minutes before kickoff

Okay, time to let the cat out of the bag. You may have noticed Loren Tate wasn't listed among the N-G attendees today. (Or maybe not.) That's because he's not here. He's in a car headed the other direction, away from C-U. Our legendary columnist is on his way to Chicago for his granddaughter's wedding.

This is a big deal, you know. Coach Tate has missed "three or four" Illinois football games in the past - but only when he was called into duty to cover an Illinois basketball game.

"I have not missed a single football game in 45 years, other than those games were there was a conflict with basketball," Loren said a few minutes ago. "There's never been a reason to miss a game."

Elizabeth Burden is getting married at 5 p.m. Today's kickoff is at 2:40. He had his game plan established weeks in advance, in order to see as much of the UI-Mizzou showdown as possible.

"I can probably leave (the TV) at 4:20 and make it there (to the wedding) on time," Tate said. "I'll probably miss the fourth quarter."

For Loren's sake, let's hope for a blowout.

Back in a few.

Klee

60 minutes before kickoff

We'll keep today's Live Report focused on football - for the most part - with a few hoops tidbits thrown in. One UI freshman has a particular interest in today's game. And Tyler Griffey is home in the St. Louis area for the long weekend, though he didn't have plans to attend today's game.

"Illinois," the forward said of his prediction. "But Missouri will be ready."

Griffey said more than half of his high school's graduation class at Wildwood (Mo.) Lafayette is now in college at Missouri. So his real prize is a 10th-straight win in the Braggin' Rights series on Dec. 23 here in St. Louis. Yes, it's been a decade since Missouri beat Illinois on the basketball court. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

"Since we've won it like 10 in a row, I'm rubbing it in everyone's face that I can," he said.

Back in a few.

Klee

1:15 before kickoff:

Paul Klee joining you from the Edward Jones Dome press box. Feel free to email questions or comments and we'll get them posted (pklee@news-gazette.com). Couple of predictions from around the press box:

Kirk Wessler (Peoria Journal Star): 35-24 Illinois.
Stu Durando (St. Louis Post-Dispatch): 31-28 Illinois. ("But nothing would surprise me.")
Mark Tupper (Decatur Herald-Review): 34-24 Illinois.
Paul Klee (IlliniHQ.com): 27-26 Missouri.
Marcus Jackson (IlliniHQ.com): 34-27 Illinois.
Bob Asmussen: Brit Miller 68, Mizzou 0.

Just kidding, Bob.

Back in a few.

Klee

1:45 before kickoff:

Future Illini offensive lineman Andy Gallik plans to watch today's game with his dad. Gallik figures to be in a good mood after his team, Chicago Brother Rice, rolled to a 49-8 win against Chicago Amundsen on Friday. A week ago, Brother Rice lost its opener to Chicago Morgan Park.

Gallik has seen past Illinois games on television, but not with the same mindset that he'll have today.

"It will be completely different," Gallik said. "I'm going to be able to watch all of them offensive linemen and how they work and see what they do. I'm going to be watching the offensive line a lot."

Gallik is counting on his future team to win.

"Missouri lost a lot and Illinois is one of the most explosive offenses in the country," Gallik said.

Gallik will try to get to as many Illinois games as possible this season. He plans to be at Saturday night's game against Illinois State. He'll leave Chicago after a morning film session at Brother Rice.

"I'm going to try to get to all of the home games," Gallik said.

Gallik has constant contact with future Illini quarterback Chandler Whitmer and the other players in the class. He was disappointed when Proviso West receiver Kyle Prater picked Southern Cal.

"I kind of already knew," Gallik said. "Ever since his visits, it's what he hinted toward. We've got (tight end) C.J. (Fiedorowicz), so we're off to a good start."

***

2:00 before kickoff:

Let's take a quick look around the Big Ten.

Northwestern is pounding on poor Towson, 37-7 at halftime. Towson was the college home of Illinois quarterback coach Kurt Beathard, who said his alma mater has struggled since its move to a conference that awards scholarships. Previously, Towson played in a nonscholarship I-AA conference.

Michigan State apparently doesn't miss Javon Ringer. At least, not against I-AA Montana State. Maybe Central Michigan will give the Spartans a game next week.

The big surprise, at least in the first half, is Syracuse beating Minnesota at home. Greg Paulus, the basketball player, is playing well as the Syracuse quarterback. Who knew.

Ohio State might be a victim of the "looking aheadies," leading Navy just 20-7 at halftime. Or maybe the Midshipmen have another good team. Probably a combination.

Penn State isn't having any trouble with Akron, leading 31-0 at halftime. Former Illinois defensive coordinator Vince Okruch is on the staff at Akron.

The Danny Hope era is off to a good start at Purdue, the Boilermakers leading Toledo 31-14 at halftime. Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott, who has a brother in Champaign, has thrown two touchdown passes.

***

2:10 before kickoff:
Barring an unlikely last minute rush to the ticket office, the game won't be a sellout. Brent Schulman of the St. Louis Sports Commission said he expects a crowd of about 64,000, which is 2,600 short of capacity at the Edward Jones Dome.

A year ago, the place was full, helped by the high ranking for Missouri and Illinois' Rose Bowl appearance.

The press box isn't as full as it was a year ago either. Illinois SID Kent Brown said he issued about 250 media credentials, down from last year's total of about 300. Fewer national media members are at the game, Brown said.

The good news for the fans who are here: the weather seems to be clearing up. The rain appears to have stopped and the sun might even sneak out. Just in time for the fans to go inside. So, we take back what we said earlier about it being good that the game isn't at Busch Stadium.

Speaking of Busch Stadium, the Cardinals are tentatively scheduled to be in town when Illinois-Missouri complete their St. Louis series in 2010. The baseball schedule isn't official, but currently the Cardinals will be hosting games. That hasn't happened on the Missouri-Illinois weekend since 2007.

***

Just talked to Frank Frangie of the Touchdown Radio network. Besides his work on the network, which is covering today's game, he is also a longtime friend of Illinois coach Ron Zook. They talked Friday during Illinois' walkthrough at the Edward Jones Dome.

"He's real loose," Frangie said. "Looser than he normally is."

Why?

"He likes his team," Frangie said. "From a leadership point, they have made strides."

Frangie got to see the Zook-Urban Meyer flap from Florida (he lives in Jacksonville). Frangie said he was impressed with how Zook responded to Meyer's claims of hazing during Zook's time at Florida.

"I don't think (Zook) could have handled it any better," Frangie said.

As a media member, Frangie would like to see an Illinois-Florida bowl matchup someday. Whenever it happens, Frangie said, it will be awkward for the Florida and Illinois coaching staffs and administration.

Frangie's network has several top games this season, including next week's Southern Cal-Ohio State matchup.

***

2:40 before kickoff

Klee, Jackson and I are in the Dome. We'll be giving you updates as often as possible. I'm taking the first hour and Paul will take over after that.

Good thing the game wasn't scheduled for Busch Stadium. Or Columbia, Mo., for that matter. The rain started falling at about 6 a.m. and was still going strong at 11. Parking lots near the stadium were a muddy mess. So, it will be a soggy set of fans piling into the stadium in about an hour.

The rain didn't help the tailgates. Loud music blared at one for about a handful of people. Of course, the tents provide shelter, so it should pick up closer to the game.

The Illinois band just finished its pregame practice. Sounded good.

It's difficult to understand the decision not to have a pregame handshake between the teams. You can talk about logisitics, but if the handshake was a top priority, it could be done without a problem. Missouri, in particular, seems unhappy about the lack of a pregame handshake.

Check back in 15 minutes.

 

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