Illinois 33, Arkansas St. 15

Published Sep. 4, 2011 2:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

Illinois started slow but used 100-yard receiving days from A.J. Jenkins and Darius Millines to open the season with a 33-15 win over Arkansas State on Saturday.

Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase threw for a career-best 267 yards. His 16 completions went to Jenkins, who had 11 catches for 148 yards and a touchdown, and Millines, who caught five balls for 119 yards and a score.

Jason Ford rushed for 86 yards and two TDs for Illinois.

The Red Wolves led 8-7 with less than three minutes left in the first half on a safety and a pair of field goals.

But Illinois answered with Millines' touchdown and a field goal before halftime. Jenkins scored his TD early in the third quarter.

Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin was 20 of 32 for 290 yards.