Ask Bob Asmussen what went wrong in the Illini's season opener here.

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois coach Ron Zook was impressed with Illinois State quarterback Drew Kiel in the Redbirds' opener against Eastern Illinois. And he thought backup Matt Brown played well, too.

Zook won't have to worry about Kiel in Saturday's night game at Memorial Stadium. The Illinois State starter suffered a torn thumb ligament in the opener. The injury will require surgery and Kiel will be out at least six weeks.

In his place goes Brown, who completed 5 of 8 passes in the opener.

Zook was surprised to hear that Kiel won't be available. He hit his first 15 passes in the opener and completed 20 of 22 overall.

"(Kiel) came back in, so we just assumed that he was OK," Zook said.

Though Illinois State got beat 31-6 in the opener, Zook said the Redbirds played better.

"The score is not indicative of what the tape looked like," Zook said. "We will get everything they've got and then some."

Benn better. Preseason All-American receiver Arrelious Benn participated in Monday's practice, though he was limited after suffering a sprained ankle against Missouri. Zook listed Benn as probable for Saturday's game, but sounded more sure than that.

"He's going to play," Zook said. "The way he was out here running around, unless he goes backward, which I don't think he will. He had an opportunity, being Labor Day, to spend all day in the training room. Barring anything happening in practice, I think he'll be out there."

Zook said he expects Benn to practice today. Benn has a brace on the leg.

"It's protection and keeping it from happening again," Zook said.

Injured tailbacks Daniel Dufrene and Jason Ford, who both have ankle injuries, practiced Monday. Dufrene, who missed the Missouri game, ran sprints at the end of the session.