Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Troy Erny of Long Grove fights with his umbrella before the Illinois-Western Michigan football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Just two hours before the game, the west parking lot is still almost empty the Illinois-Western Michigan football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Beth Alshanski, Decatur, cooks pancakes and sausage before the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Bridget Daniels, mom of Illinois wide receiver Hayden Daniels, checks the radar on her tablet before the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Jeff Parks, left Urbana, and Tom Harpst, Mahomet, are split the need for the rainjacket as they work the parking lot before the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

John Deyo, dad of Western Michigan offensive linesman John Deyo, plays the good samaritan and lights a grill for an Illini fan before the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Dean Collins, class of '08, waits for the grill to ready before the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Some of the tailgaters were bunkered for the weather before the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois football fans walk around a puddle at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois fans tailgate at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Heather White, Rockford, pushes Summer, left, and Poppy through a wet parking lot at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Jack Whetstone, 13, Glenview, plays catch at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois defensive lineman Michael Buchanan (99) deflects a pass and the catches it for an interception in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois tight end Jon Davis (3) on a run in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois running back Josh Ferguson (6) with Western Michigan defensive end Cory Sueing (91) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois kicker Nick Immekus (37) kicks in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois defensive lineman Michael Buchanan (99) brings down Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder (14) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) takes the first snap of the season in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) on a run in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012. Western Michigan wide receiver David Stout (27) and Western Michigan linebacker Paul Hazel (99)

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Stadium workers walk through puddles before the Illinois-Western Michigan football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' wide receiver Ryan Lankford (12) breaks in the clear on a first quarter touchdown pass at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) is pressured by Western Michigan's linebacker Paul Hazel (99) in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Donovonn Young (5 ) tries to elude a Western Michigan's Trevor Ishmael  the Illinois-Western Michigan football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Kavya Gundavaram, a UI student from India, walks the sideline with the flag of her country. International students were part of the pregame in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois wide receiver James Nudera (17) carries out the flag in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois wide receiver Ryan Lankford (12) takes a pass and heads for the endzone in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois wide receiver Ryan Lankford (12) scores in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Western Michigan punter J Schroeder (37) punts as Illinois defensive back Patrick Nixon-Youman (4) defends in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois punter Justin DuVernois (18) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Block I in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) sneaks through for a TD in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Dancing for the fan cam in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois wide receiver Devin Church (21), linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and linebacker Houston Bates (30) tackle Western Michigan running back Tevin Drake (29) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois tight end Jon Davis (3) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois defensive lineman Akeem Spence (94) and Illinois linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) take down Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder (14) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois quarterback Reilly O'Toole (4) hands off to Illinois running back Josh Ferguson (6) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois defensive back Patrick Nixon-Youman (4) gets tackled by Western Michigan defensive tackle Travonte Boles (55) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) runs an interception back for a TD in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois quarterback Miles Osei (8) in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois head coach Tim Beckman in the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Robert K. O'Daniell

Illinois head coach Tim Beckman after the football season home opener between Illinois and Western Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on . Saturday, September 1, 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois coach Tim Beckman yells as his offense in pre-game warm ups at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois cheerleaders and band members prepare to take the field at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' offensive linesman Graham Pocic (76) and Illinois' linebacker Ashante Williams (25) lead the team on the field at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois coach Tim Beckman runs on the field at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois coach gets his radio equipment connected before the game at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' wide receiver Ryan Lankford (12) breaks in the clear on a first-quarter TD pass play at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' wide receiver Ryan Lankford (12) breaks in the clear on a first quarter touchdown pass at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) finds running room in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' running back Donovonn Young (5) gets away from Western Michigan's cornerback Lewis Toler (24)in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' kicker Nick Immekus (37) and Illinois' quarterback Miles Osei (8) watch as a field goal attempt comes up short at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' linebacker Houston Bates (30) and Illinois' defensive back Patrick Nixon-Youman (4) break up a pass intended for Western Michigan's wide receiver Josh Schaffer (82) at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) is pressured by Western Michigan's linebacker Paul Hazel (99) in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' tight end Eddie Viliunas (83) drags Western Michigan's safety Justin Currie (33) after a second-quarter catch at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) runs on touchdown run at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Western Michigan's running back Tevin Drake (29) is stopped by Illinois' defensive lineman Tim Kynard (59) Illinois' defensive back Tommy Davis (17) and Illinois' defensive lineman Darrius Caldwell (6)at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) is hit by Western Michigan's linebacker Paul Hazel (99) in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) flips a short pass in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' tight end Jon Davis (3) finds running room in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois coach Tim Beckman at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' defensive lineman Akeem Spence (94) wraps up Western Michigan's quarterback Alex Carder (14) for a third-quarter sack at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Western Michigan's wide receiver Jaime Wilson (4) crosses the goal line with Illinois' linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and Illinois' defensive back Justin Green (26) at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' running back Donovonn Young (5) takes a hand off from Illinois' quarterback Reilly O'Toole (4) in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' linebacker Ashante Williams (25) returns and ball he intercepted for a touchdown in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Miles Osei (8) is tripped up near the line of scrimmage at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' defensive back Jack Ramsey (21) pressures DUPLICATE***Western Michigan's quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen (2) at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Miles Osei (8) looks for running room in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois coach Tim Beckman is congratulated by AD Mike Thomas after the season-opening win at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Illinois' quarterback Reilly O'Toole (4) walks past coach Tim Beckman at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Coach Tim Beckman greets linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and Illinois' linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) after their win at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Myers Leonard at Memorial Stadium Saturday September 1 , 2012.