CHAMPAIGN  We hereby submit substantial and credible information that Illinois football team committed acts Saturday night at Memorial Stadium that may constitute grounds for optimism.

   We will show that  despite four interceptions, six turnovers, a first-quarter flop, a half-empty stadium  something good came from a 48-20 win over Middle Tennessee State.

   Excerpts from our star report:

   A. The UI''s relationship with the end zone.

   It is noted that at 8:59 p.m. cornerback Asim Pleas sprinted past the goal line for the seventh Illini touchdown. It marked the UI''s highest scoring output since 1995 when Lou Tepper''s last bunch beat Minnesota 48-14. The UI hasn''t scored more points since 1993, when it beat Iowa 49-3. Promising stuff  Mike White stuff  for a team that was held to fewer than 10 points six times in Ron Turner''s first season. "To say we''re pretty happy is an understatement," receiver Rob Majoy said. "It had to come eventually."

   II. The Sept. 12 encounter between the UI and Middle Tennessee State quarterbacks.

   It is noted that at 9:05 p.m. converted fullback Tim McGill registered the last UI sack. Mr. McGill and friends met with Blue Raider quarterbacks on seven occasions, often embracing them until their knees touched the ground. The UI defenders were unusually aggressive, as they were during the season opener at Washington State. The UI defense has allowed one touchdown in two games. The UI offense has allowed two. Nice to see Tim Kish''s attack scheme working with Chris Redman coming to town.

   2A. First meeting with Rocky Harvey.

   It is noted that at 8:50 p.m. Mr. Harvey galloped into the end zone for the final time. Many UI fans were getting their first glimpse of the IHSA record-setter, a bit on the small side but awfully quick. Mr. Harvey finished with 219 yards, three touchdowns and a fan club that spent much of the fourth quarter chanting "Rocky, Rocky." Mr. Harvey clearly adds an emotional spark. At one point, the tiny teen-ager got slammed to the turf only to jump up and scream at his defender as if to say, "You''re not so bad." Had it not been for Mr. Harvey''s early encounters with the end zone, the UI might not have survived. His two early touchdowns were critical.

   2B. Evidence of intimidation by the UI offensive line.

   At 9:06 p.m., the UI won its first game in 19 tries. Few Illini were happier than the offensive line, which opened holes for 391 yards rushing and kept the quarterback from getting tackled behind the line of scrimmage. That''s one sack in two games. That''s not bad.

   D. The UI''s relationship with the Big Ten.

   At 2:35 p.m., four-touchdown favorite Iowa walked off its own field an 18-point loser to Iowa State. Minutes later Northwestern was booed out of Evanston. Both are on the UI''s immediate schedule. So is Louisville, 0-2 after Saturday''s loss at Utah. It appears as if the Illini will be competitive at least until Ohio State arrives Oct. 10. Maybe even better than .500, somewhere the Illini haven''t been since 1995. According to Mr. Turner, no game is easy. But the next three are looking better by the minute.

   VI. The first meeting between fans and the goal posts.

   At 9:07 p.m., the first students reached the goal post on the south end of Zuppke Field. Many more rowdies followed, scaling the contraption like pirates on a mast. At 9:17, the announcement to clear the field was made. Order was restored. The goal post didn''t fall, but the enthusiasm was noted. And it wasn''t just students who stormed the field. Adults were there, too, although most stayed near midfield. An all-generations celebration. First basketball. Now football. What happens when the soccer team wins a home match?

   Z. Summary.

   In this case, the UI made a firm statement to a dwindling fan base. We realize the competition was Division I-AA, the hometown quarterback often threw to the wrong team and the special teams allowed another long touchdown run. But it was a win, the first of its kind in nearly two years. "We have to build on this," Mr. Turner said, "and start a new streak." It is noted that Mr. Turner won his first game as an Illinois coach. He deserves a victory cigar.

   Jim Rossow is sports editor of The News-Gazette.