Illini Sports Blog

Illini Start Strong

E.B. Halsey
E.B. Halsey scored the first points of the season on a 39 yd run in the 1st quarter.

Illinois opened the 2006 football season Saturday night with a 42-17 win over EIU, in front of a disappointingly small crowd of 45,444. RBs Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey combined for 200+ yards, Tim Brasic threw for 149 yards, and freshman QB Juice Williams saw action in a handful of series. Next week the Illini travel to New Jersey to face Rutgers, who will be seeking sweet payback after last year's UI come-from-behind victory.

Many more pics from the game after the jump!

The telephoto pictures taken from the field are courtesy of fryeimages. The wide angles are courtesy of Dan O'Brien from various points around the stadium.
















Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas 6 yd TD, 1st quarter.

Juice Williams
Juice Williams.





Eastern receiver Ryan Voss wins the ball for a 33 yd TD reception, 2nd quarter.

Jacob Willis
Jacob Willis grabs his first catch as an Illini, 2nd quarter.




Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Mendenhall 1 yd TD, 2nd quarter.

Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas 1 yd TD, 2nd quarter.







Jody Ellis
Jody Ellis
Jody Ellis
Illinois receiver Jody Ellis takes a hit from two EIU defenders jarring the ball loose, EIU recovered the fumble, but the officials ruled it a incomplete pass. Illinois received a break on this call.

Derrick McPhearson
Derrick McPhearson takes a hit but holds onto the ball for an Illinois firstdown.

Tim Brasic
Tim Brasic 4 yd TD run, 3rd quarter.

E.B. Halsey
E.B. Halsey.

Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Mendenhall 2 yd TD, 4th quarter.

Juice Williams
Juice Williams.




Juice Williams
Juice Williams.

Filed under: Eastern Illinois Panthers, Illini Football, Illinois Loyalty Photos
Follow IllinoisLoyalty on Twitter