The Illini coming off a dismal 06' campaign where they were 1-7 tied for last with Michigan State (in conference) and 2-10 overall. There were a lot of close games last year, but loses are loses no matter how close. Coach Zook has higher expectations this year with a slew of great talent coming into the 2007 season.

Today the fans will get to see Arrelious Benn in action. All spring/summer long his name has been buzzing on the tip of Illini fans tongues. He'll square off with an athletic Mizzou secondary who will look to shut him and the QB, Juice Williams down. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Benn would score the second TD of the game from 64 yards out on a pass from Williams.

Tigers would score 10 pts in the second, but Illinois would also score to put the game at halftime, 21-10. No Defense was played in the 3rd quarter where Missouri would score 14 on a 42 yard pass play to Woods and a 39 yard run by Woods. Illini would also score big, 17 points on a Reda FG, Weil's first TD run of the season from 1 yard out and Warren went 48 yards for the score.

Its 38-24 Illini at the start of the 4th. The Tigers would threaten with a 15 yard TD run to cut it to 1 score (38-31). Reda would put the game out of way with 54 seconds left with a 29 yard FG. Illini win their first of the season, 41 - 31.

Recruiting Info

Eric Martin commits prior to Missouri game. Martin, "I cant wait to show up to camp next season".