It didn’t take long for Illinois to get on the board in the first game under new coach Tim Beckman. The Illini jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead over Western Michigan and the game looked like it was pretty much under control.
As Lee Corso would opine, “Not so fast, my friend.”
Illnois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase sustained what is being reported as an ankle injury and had to be carted off the field. His day is over after throwing for 126 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Just how serious the injury is in terms of a return date is obviously unclear at this time. Reilly O’Toole has come in for Sheelhaase and completed two passes for seven yards so far.
The Illini’s offense has stalled, however, and a WMU touchdown has made this a 10-point game with almost the entire fourth quarter to go. Without Scheelhaase, WMU could make a late run at an upset.