8:15 p.m.

The scrimmage is winding down. Except for the two offensive line injuries, you would have to rate it a successful night.

The offense had its moments. So did the defense. Nathan Scheelhaase controlled the ball and mostly threw good passes. Plus, he showed the athleticism to make plays with his legs, once they take off the red jersey (he won't wear one against Missouri).

The defense played well at times and was able to put pressure on the quarterbacks and force turnovers.

Next ingame story will be Sept. 4 when Illinois plays Missouri at the Edward Jones Dome.

+++

8:10 p.m.

Bad news for the offensive line. Jack Cornell is being helped off the field after an apparent leg injury.. We will hopefully get more details after the scrimmage.

A couple of plays later, backup guard/center Tyler Sands has been helped off. The offensive line was already facing some depth issues.

The temperature is down to 82 and the heat index is 91. This has been, by far, the hottest first week of Camp Rantoul.

***

8 p.m.

According to crack statistician Loren Tate, Mikel Leshoure ran 11 times for 52 yards in the first half. The coaches will take that against Missouri.

First play in the red zone session, Nathan Scheelhaase hit a wide-open Evan Wilson. The freshman is having a good night.

***

7:55 p.m.

It's halftime. The crowd is stretching. Maybe Loren will sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

I'd have to give the first half to the offense. Too many big plays against the defense. And the quarterbacks would have had many big gains if they weren't down by a touch.

This isn't going to go much longer. Ron Zook wants to get through it without any injuries. So far, so good.

***

7:50 p.m.

The No. 1 defense saved the No. 2 offense an interception in a the coming out drill. That's where the offense starts near its own goalline and tries to get a first down or two, Miles Osei was intercepted by Walt Aikens, but the play was called back because of an offsides call on the defense.

Halftime is approaching. The temperature is going down. The crowd is staying put.

It has to be a good night for drink sales for the folks from the Rantoul Rotary, who are statioined just outside the gates.

***

7:40 p.m.

The goalline series did not go well for the No. 1 offense. On the first play, freshman Evan Wilson got called for a clip, pushing the ball back to the 17. The drive ended with a muffed snap on a field goal. Ron Zook did not  look pleased.

Of course, when the offense is unhappy, the defense is pleased. And the guys in the blue jerseys seem to be holding their heads higher.

In the 2 vs. 2 goalline series, Bud Golden scored on the first play.

***

7:30 p.m.

Justin Green wants to play. Working with the No. 2/3 offense against the 2/3 defense, he raced 66 yards for a touchdown.

Maybe the most impressive part of the play was Osei racing down to try to help block.

On the next series, Osei was hit while throwing, but Darius Millines made a leaping catch.

Center exchanges have been an issue tonight. We're going to blame sweaty hands.

***

7:25 p.m.

Miles Osei had a nice first pass against the No. 1 defense, hitting Eddie McGee for a 41-yard touchdown.

The drive was set up by a couple of long Troy Pollard runs.

Osei is competing with Chandler Whitmer for the backup quarterback job. Keep throwing balls like he just did and the two-time News-Gazette All-Stater will be No. 2.

The defensive staff isn't happy about the two touchdowns by the No. 2 offense.

***

7:18 p.m.

The No. 2 defense was much better on the second drive. Thanks to a chop block call against the offense, the No. 2 unit stopped the offense on downs. Scheelhaase had a chance to convert on third and long, but underthrew former roommate Steve Hull.

Illinois has to be happy with the play of its receivers so far.

The heat is starting to ease off a bit. The sun is dipping behind Rantoul High School.

Chandler Whitmer has been the lone No. 2 quarterback so far.

***

7:10 p.m.

The No. 1 defense was having its way with the No. 2 defense. Until Darius Millines got involved. The freshman receiver from Florida scored on a 50-yard touchdown run. The play was set up by a roughing the passer penalty, which you think would be a no-no when the quarterbacks are wearing red jerseys.

The Illinois defensive coaches weren't happy after the play, reminding the players about the significance of the penalty.

Linebacker Martez Wilson had a big play during the drive, sacking quarterback Chandler Whitmer. He didn't actually touch him, but got close enough for the whistle to be blown.

***

7:05 p.m.

Nathan Scheelhaase looked sharp on the opening drive, completing three consecutive passes before a couple of solid gains by Mikel Leshoure. Jason Ford went the final 11 yards for a touchdown.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Zach Becker had one of the catches, going 14 yards.

It's the No. 1 offense against the No. 2 defense. Next up, the No. 2 offense will face the No. 1 defense.

***

6:55 p.m.

I just checked the weather. It's 90 degrees with a heat index of 107. Not to complain, but the temperature is about 15 degrees higher in the press box. For some reason, Loren Tate is wearing long, dark pants.

The scrimmage opened with a nice kickoff return by Terry Hawthorne. On the first play from scrimmage, Mikel Leshoure rumbled 2 yards.

The first drive is the No. 1 offense against the No. 2 defense. Jason Ford gets the second carry on a pitch from Nathan Scheelhaase.

***

6:45 p.m.

Another dignitary just spotted in the crowd: Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther. I don't know how many of the Rantoul High School scrimmmages he has attended in the past. He is sitting in the stands.

***

6:40 p.m.

Here's the order of sessions for tonight's scrimmage:

Kickoff at 6:55

Drives, six plays or a score

Goalline, starting at the 4

Coming out, starting at the 2 and 4

Punt

Third downs

Red zone, starting at the 18 and 20

Two-minute offense

The workout is scheduled to end at 8:30

***

6:30 p.m.

The runthrough portion of the workout is over and the team is now stretching.

 I see plenty of dignitaries in the crowd, including former Illini receiver John Wright. He has been voted one of the school's all-time bests by a panel put together by The News-Gazette. Complete results will run in the paper and on IlliniHQ later in the month.

***

6:20 p.m.

The players started drifting in about 45 minutes ago. It is a balmy night. Can't imagine wearing a full set of pads, running around in this heat. But I'm not 20 and in shape, either.

Fullback Greg Fuller isn't currently with the team. He remains on the roster.

Despite the heat, the home stands started filling in at about 6 p.m. Once the sun goes down a bit, it will start to cool off.