CHAMPAIGN - While rain swept over most of the northern half of the state of Illinois, the Fighting Illini and Northern Illinois Huskies football teams were spared a drop for their Saturday tilt at Memorial Stadium.
The dry field was one factor that led to the Illini win. Without it, junior runningback Mikel Leshoure may not have had a chance to rush for 180 yards on 24 carries. Leshoure's big day on the ground was necessary, as freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase was not too effective passing the ball. Scheelhaase did have a few nice runs for himself, including a defender diving touchdown in the first quarter that put the Illini up 7-0. Many of the quarterback's run were accentuated by hurdling defenders. He is an exciting quarterback to watch, but his style of play may lead to an injury at some point.
Northern Illinois held their own against the Big Ten foe, taking a 12-7 lead in the first quarter and outplaying the Fighting Illini for much of the first half.
NIU closed the Illini lead from 21-12 to 21-19 on a touchdown in the fourth. But a Leshoure 29-yard TD run put Illinois up by two scores again. NIU quickly answered with a field goal, and had an onside kick attempt in the final minute, but could not come up with the ball as Illinois held on to a 28-22 victory over their in-state MAC rivals.
It was a great day to be on the field. I always love the first football game in Champaign where I am given a photo vest and allowed to take pictures from the sidelines. I look forward to doing the same thing at 11 a.m. October 2, when the Illini face the heavily favored and second ranked nationally Ohio State Buckeyes.
Photo: Illinois' running back Mikel Leshoure (5) paced the Illini with 180 rushing yards.
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