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It's 2:50 p.m.:

The clock is running down fast and the Orange offense continues to struggle. Nate Bussey knocks down a pass by Eddie McGee to stop a drive at the end of the third quarter.

Steve Kelly interviewed former Illini linebacker Jerry Schumacher, who likes the looks of Martez Wilson. Schumacher was a really good player during his time at Illinois and a good guy.

As the Blue moves down the field, I'm going to move to the postgame locker room. Thanks for checking out the story today. We'll have live ingame reports during the 2009 season.

And we will continue football chats during the spring and summer. We'll try to get new offensive coordinator Mike Schultz for a chat in the very near future. He's going to dive into recruiting in the next month, but hopefully we can find a convenient time.

It's 2:40 p.m.:

Let me alter my earlier prediction about the starting tailback against Missouri. It will be either Mikel Leshoure or Jason Ford. They will push each other during the summer and at Camp Rantoul. Ford does a very good job of breaking away from tackles after the initial contact.

Juice Williams was 8 of 16 in the first half for 99 yards and a touchdown.
As predicted, the clock is running. The second half should take about 30 minutes. That's good for the players, who are eager to have spring ball end.
Ron Zook would like another month of practices. But the players wouldn't love the idea. They want a little break before returning to workouts during the summer. Actually, from a grueling standpoint, they'd be better off in spring practice than they will be with strength coach Lou Hernandez.

Not everybody in the stadium is paying attention to the game. Kids beyond the south end zone are firing footballs around. The environment is extremely relaxed.

The Orange defense isn't getting as much pressure on the offense as the Blue. Williams has been able to move freely in the backfield on the current drive, giving him time to find open receivers. Defensive end Clay Nurse disrupts the run of solid protection, sacking Williams.

Playing with the wind at his back, Williams seems to be more accurate. Though it isn't a great day to be a quarterback, it will help Williams in the fall. You can count on at least two or three windy days at Memorial Stadium every season.

Some of the fans have spread into the south stands. Tickets in the horseshoe have become popular. the $77 price has to help.

***

It's 2:20 p.m.:

The end of the first half was, well, interesting. The Blue called a timeout with 4 seconds left from about its own 30. With the wind, the idea was to have Juice Williams throw a deep pass. And he did. After scrambling away from the defense, Williams fired the ball about 70 yards. But the ball went about 20 rows up in the East stands.

Ron Zook is on the radio with Brian Barnhart at halftime. Sounds like he's OK with the way his team played.

The Mike White era players are beyond the south end zone signing autographs. White is shaking hands with everyone and taking pictures.
Zook is addressing the crowd, pointing out the former players in attendance. He makes a special mention of White.

With his team gathered around him, Zook hands out the spring awards to center Eric Block, receiver Cordale Scott, linebacker Ian Thomas, offensive guard Jon Asamoah, cornerback Tavon Wilson, fullback Zach Becker, defensive back Nattiel Perkins and defensive tackle Sirod Williams.

The second half is just about to start. Expect a running clock after the break.

***

It's 2 p.m.:

Here's what they don't show you on TV during the game. Mike Cklamovski just kicked the ball out of the end zone. But as he nailed the ball, Cklamovski also tripped on the turf. No apparent injury.

Jacob Charest completes a pass for the Orange to Jeff Cumberland, but the senior receiver fumbled and Rahkeem Smith recovered. The Blue gave the ball right back, with a deflected Juice Williams pass intercepted by linebacker Evan Frierson.

Eddie McGee showed off his hands, catching a Charest pass and picking up a first down.

Remember when Kurt Kittner used to dip his shoulder as a pump fake before throwing a pass? Charest does the same move and looks just like Kittner while doing it.

Speaking of Kittner, when I asked Brandon Lloyd to compare his old quarterback's running ability to that of Juice Williams, Lloyd laughed. Didn't mention this earlier, but Lloyd said he impressed with how Williams throws the ball.

The first half is running down with Williams and the Blue up 14-0. Another long run by Mikel Leshoure moves the ball inside the Orange 40. He isn't like the old No. 5 (Rashard Mendenhall), but he's getting closer. I'm going to make a guess that Leshoure starts the opener against Missouri in a close call over Ford, Daniel Dufrene and Troy Pollard.

A bunch of eager former Illini are on the field. Brit Miller, Derek Walker and Xavier Fulton are awaiting their pro destinations this weekend. Even if they aren't drafted, all three are projected as NFL signees.

Arrelious Benn is impressive on consecutive completions, making a diving catch for a first down. Charest looks sharp.

At halftime, Ron Zook will announce spring awards. The team will go back inside for a short break.

***

It's 1:40 p.m.:
The Blue is on the board thanks to a short field, a long completion from Juice Williams to A.J. Jenkins and Mikel Leshoure's touchdown run from the 3.

Leshoure and Jason Ford are off to a good start. No surprise there. They have been two of the stars of spring ball.

P.A. announcer Ken Johnson is here today, but isn't working the game after suffering a stroke during the winter. But Johnson is on the road to recovery. Here's hoping he'll be back for the home opener Sept. 12 against Illinois State.

Recruits and the families of the Illinois players are sitting in the East stands, opposite the bulk of the crowd.

Defensive end Jerry Brown is off to a good start today, penetrating the backfield already on a handful of plays. Off-the-field issues have been part of the reason Brown hasn't had a greater impact at Illinois. But he's got two years left, plenty of time to get on the field.

The Big Ten Network will have a recap of today's game during a spring football show at 9 p.m. tonight. Former Illini Howard Griffith and Gerry DiNardo will break down the performance.

If you have any questions today, send me an email at asmussen@news-gazette.com.

Arrelious Benn just ran the ball for a short gain. The receivers will be an important part of the Illinois running game, both on carries and as blockers.
Loren Tate is very excited because the defense continues to blitz. Loren likes the blitz. A lot.

"I'd keep doing it," Tate said.

It's 7-0 Blue at the end of the first quarter.

***

It's 1:20 p.m.:

The first quarter is going and neither offense was able to move the ball on the first drive. The Blue defense sacked Eddie McGee twice, though a sack for the white-shirted quarterbacks only requires a touch.

The trophy for the Illinois-Northwestern series has been announced. It will be the Land of Lincoln Trophy. The new trophy replaces the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, which has been retired by the schools. Fans of both schools were given a chance to vote in an online poll. The design of the new trophy will be decided by the two schools.

"To be certain, we are very excited to introduce the Land of Lincoln Trophy as our series rivalry prize," said Northwestern athletic director and Illinois alum Jim Phillips. "Northwestern versus Illinois is always a highly anticipated football game for our student-athletes and fans. The new trophy is symbolic for our great state and the two proud Big Ten institutions that reside in it,"

In the game, the offenses continue to struggle. But the punting game looks better. Going into the wind, Anthony Santella just hit a perfect punt inside the 5.

Jason Ford has had a couple of decent runs for the Orange. But the Blue defense is causing trouble for McGee. So is the wind.

***

It's 1 p.m.:

The scrimmage is just about to start. Hard to tell how big the crowd is because the only areas open to the public are the West Main stands and the luxury suites. It looks like there is a solid block of people between the 20s. I'm guessing the attendance at 10,000. On a perfect day.

Tune your radio to WDWS (1400-AM) and you'll hear Brian Barnhart, Loren Tate and Steve Kelly calling the game. Loren is serving as analyst because Kurt Kittner had another commitment. Loren just predicted a Blue victory. We'll see.

There are potential recruits and 2009 signees in the crowd. Nathan Scheelhaase and his family made the trip from Kansas City to C-U. He would have happily started school in January, but the rules at his high school don't allow early graduation.

Among the injured players who won't go today include receiver Jarred Fayson, defensive backs Donsay Hardeman, Dere Hicks, Miami Thomas and Patrick Nixon-Youman. The offense should have an advantage, though some of that will be mitigated by the wind.

***

It's 12:40 p.m.:

Just talked to Brandon Lloyd, one of the 250-plus former letter winners attending the game.

Lloyd spent the most recent NFL season with the Chicago Bears. He had a one-year deal and isn't returning to the team.

So, now what?

"Waiting would be the term," Lloyd said. "I think it's likely (I'll sign). I've been through free agency. This is my third one."

This weekend's draft will help determine where Lloyd goes next. The class is loaded with receivers. Those teams that don't fill their wish list will look to free agents like Lloyd.

"It's the biggest receiving class since the year I came out," Lloyd said.
Lloyd enjoyed his one-year reunion with Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner.

"It was awesome," Lloyd said. "It was great. We had a really good time. It was a lot of fun to reconnect."

Lloyd hasn't seen much of the Illinois receivers, but he knows all about Arrelious Benn.

"I think he's phenomenal," Lloyd said. "I think he's way better than me. He's bigger, faster, stronger. He has the on-paper things that make him a very attractive wide receiver."

Lloyd lives in Lake Forest and has two children.

"I love it up there," Lloyd said. "We're going to hang out there and see what my next move will be."

***

It's 12:20 p.m.

There's a surprise for half of the players in today's game: orange jerseys. In the past, the Orange and Blue game has actually been the White and Blue game. Not today. The team quarterbacked by Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest is wearing orange jerseys.

Punting into the wind today is going to be difficult. Anthony Santella just tried one from the 40 that went about 25 yards then seemed to hit a wall.

Both teams just gathered in the end zone. There was plenty of jump around and maybe a bit of good-natured trash talking. The coaches pushed the competition angle throughout the spring season.

The players aren't the only ones who are split today. The coaching staff has also been divided. Ron Zook's name isn't listed with either team.

At the bottom of the roster, there's a note that says, "Coach Zook reserves the right to switch teams for specific situations." So, he'll be able to keep his special teams units together.

***

It's noon:

For the first time, Illinois will play a spring game in its tricked up new stadium. We'll be here for the next three hours, letting you know what we see on the field and off.

Downstairs in the Great West Hall, Mike White and his former players are signing autographs for fans. It's a great idea that I hope the school tries some version of every spring. Maybe next year, the Ron Turner era players can sign autographs. Or those from Lou Tepper's time.

As usual, the kickers were the first on the field. One of the guys just kicked off and hit the crossbar from the opposite 34. There is a stiff wind blowing from the south, which means Matt Eller and Derek Dimke will have chances to kick long field goals.

The teams are divided into equal parts, one side playing for the Orange and one side for the Blue. Juice Williams is playing for the Blue and Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest are with the Orange. Mikel Leshoure is on the Blue team and Jason Ford is on the Orange. Arrelious Benn will be with the Orange.