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Nathan
Scheelhaase practiced Sunday night, but Illini coach Tim Beckman said Monday he
wants to see more before making a decision on the third-year starter’s status
for Illinois’ trip to Arizona State Saturday night (9:30 p.m., ESPN).
After
leading Illinois to its only two offensive touchdowns in Saturday’s 24-7
victory over Western Michigan, Scheelhaase left the game in the third quarter
with an apparent left-ankle sprain.
The
fact that he practiced a day later appears to be a good sign for Scheelhaase,
who threw a 64-yard touchdown pass and had a four-yard TD run against the
Broncos.
Scheelhaase
“was moving around, but
definitely not 100 percent,” Beckman said. “We’re going
to have to continue to evaluate throughout the week. You know Nathan is very
committed to everything that he does, so I know he will give it everything he’s
got to make sure that he’s healthy. We’ll have to make those decisions as the
week goes on.”
The
coaching staff, training staff and Scheelhaase all will be involved in the
decision.
“I want him
healthy,” Beckman said. “Does he have to be 100 percent? He has to be healthy
enough for him to be successful in what we’re asking him to do.”
Scheelhaase’s
backups are strong-armed sophomore Reilly O’Toole, who lacks Scheelhaase’s
mobility, and athletic junior Miles Osei, who’s expected to be on the field in
a variety of roles this fall. Osei had an impressive fall camp, but is the
least experienced quarterback option.
“Reilly’s very
capable of doing what we need to do to be successful,” Beckman said, adding
that the versatile Osei will get more touches this week. “Miles Osei needs to
be in the game more than he was. Whether at quarterback, wide receiver or
running back, he needs to be on the field. So he will be.”
