CHAMPAIGN – A steady rain fell on the 100 or so running around Sunday at Memorial Stadium. They didn't seem to care.

Not after a 38-10 win. Not after starting their season 2-0.

CHAMPAIGN – All week, the Illinois offensive linemen heard about the scary San Diego State blitz.

They're still waiting for it.

One week after throwing the kitchen sink at poor, overmatched South Florida, the Aztecs picked on a team their own size. And didn't have much luck.

CHAMPAIGN – All spring and summer, they said they were better. They said they had changed. But nobody believed.

Now, they might.

On Saturday, the Illinois football team added a truckload of proof to all the talk, routing San Diego State 38-10 at Memorial Stadium.

CHAMPAIGN – Whenever Mike McGee needs some pass rushing tips, all he has to do is pop in a a tape from his freshman year and look for No. 97.

The best darn teacher he's ever had at Illinois.

Must have been a linebacker, San Diego State quarterback Brian Russell was thinking while squirming on the turf in pain. Maybe a defensive tackle.

Had to be somebody really big and really angry to deliver a hit that knocked the wind from Russell's stomach to somewhere near Tolono.

CHAMPAIGN – Rocky Harvey did his best work out of the tailback spot Saturday.

Take that 20-yard gainer that began as a left end sweep and wound up as a wild jailbreak to the right sideline, where San Diego State coach Ted Tollner was brooding.

ILLINOIS 38, SDSU 10

CHAMPAIGN – Luke Butkus waited the better part of four years to truly celebrate a victory.

After finishing up at Bloom Township High School with two winless seasons, Butkus redshirted at Illinois in 1997 and was a backup in '98. He started at center last week but left in the second quarter with leg and ankle injuries.