Check out Bob Asmussen's in-game report here.

LOOK FAMILIAR?

It turns out if you wear No. 9 at Illinois, you can catch passes. And make big plays.

For three years, it was ARRELIOUS BENN wearing No. 9 and keeping opposing defensive backs busy.

On Saturday, the new No. 9, Floridian DARIUS MILLINES looked very Benn-like during the team's annual training camp scrimmage. Millines caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from CHANDLER WHITMER against the team's No. 1 defense.

"Darius looked really good tonight," Illinois quarterback NATHAN SCHEELHAASE said. "When he had his number called, he made the play. It's great to see guys doing that."

Millines also had a 27-yard catch. A 56-yard touchdown reception got called back because of a penalty against the offense.

The freshman receivers have started off well at Camp Rantoul. Illinois coach RON ZOOK credits the upperclasssmen for their work with the newcomers.

"CHRIS JAMES has been around here forever, he's as old as me, and he's helping coach those guys," Zook said. "I hear him on the sidelines saying, 'Move in. Move out.' That's good when you've got that going."

THE OTHER NO. 9

TRULON HENRY played in his first Rantoul scrimmage. Benn's older brother, who spent the past two years in junior college, is first on the depth chart at one of the safety spots.

"There was good energy," Henry said. "I like getting under the lights at night. It was great."

It's kind of strange for Henry to see his brother's old number on offense.

"We're competing for who's the most popular No. 9," Henry said. "We've got to go in the locker room and check it out. He did score tonight."

MAKING PROGRESS

Scheelhaase hit 8 of 12 passes for 94 yards. Not bad for his first time as starter.

"I guess it's a lot different," Scheelhaase said. "Football is football at the end of the day. It's nice to get out here in front of a nice crowd here in Rantoul. It's a high school environment. I think every player enjoyed their high school days and enjoyed getting out here."

His teammates thought he played well.

"He looked composed," tailback MIKEL LESHOURE said. "A few of his runs could have been longer, but he's the quarterback so they stopped the play as someone touched him."

Scheelhaase said the offense is making progress, but it has plenty of work left to do before the Sept. 4 opener against Missouri.

"With a week, you're not going to be perfect on everything," Scheelhaase said. "We had penalties and little things like that.

"We all played hard and that's an important thing."

HAPPY RETURN

Junior linebacker MARTEZ WILSON saw his first significant contact since missing most of last season because of herniated disc surgery.

"It was fun for me," Wilson said. "Just being out here with my team again, it felt real good. I was excited."

Wilson said he feels confident that his injury won't cause him problems.

The hardest part for Wilson on Saturday was not being able to hit the quarterbacks.

"That's one of the best feelings in the game," Wilson said.

Illinois defensive coordinator VIC KOENNING said Wilson "made some good plays."

But he wasn't thrilled with the overall performance of the defense.

"We got a little bit rattled defensively," Koenning said. "We started reeling a little bit. I got very fundamental. So we didn't get into some of the stuff to use (Wilson's) skills. We were kind of basic. He's a really good player. We're extremely happy that he's here."

READY EDDIE

Quarterback-turned-receiver EDDIE McGEE had two catches Saturday, including a 41-yard touchdown throw from freshman MILES OSEI.

"Any time you get in the end zone it's a good feeling," McGee said.

McGee was in his fifth Rantoul High School scrimmage.

"It was one of the best since I've been here," McGee said.

ACHES, PAINS

Offensive linemen JACK CORNELL and TYLER SANDS suffered minor ankle injuries during Saturday's scrimmage.

Linebacker IAN THOMAS was held out of the scrimmage because of a foot injury.

"If this would have been a game, Ian would have played tonight," Zook said. "I just don't think there's any reason to push it."

FIRED UP

Zook said Saturday's workout was "the best intensity scrimmage we've had since I've been at Illinois, on both sides."

"There were some lull moments on both sides of the ball and they were able to come back from that."

One concern for Zook was the kicking game. There were problems converting and attempting field goals.

"We've got to fix that stuff a little bit," Zook said.

RUNNING IT UP

Centennial's Leshoure had 11 of his 14 carries in the first half. He finished with 61 yards.

Overall, the junior and team's leading returner rusher said it was a good performance for the offense.

"We've got some things we can correct," Leshoure said. "We're going to get after it next week."

JUSTIN GREEN had a 66-yard touchdown run. Leshoure liked it.

"That was actually the first time I've seen Justin get in the open field with all that speed," Leshoure said. "We've been waiting on it and he showed us what he had."

JASON FORD gained 31 yards on eight carries.

"I thought Mikel and Jason ran well," Illinois offensive coordinator PAUL PETRINO said. "I was happy with the running backs. They did a good job tonight. Obviously, when you're happy with them, the O-line did a good job."