CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois has given up more sacks than any other Big Ten team this fall and quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase has paid the price.
Most of the 32 sacks have come against Scheelhaase. And the junior has missed several games with injuries.
Illinois coach Tim Beckman said Monday that Illinois limited its offense to protect his quarterback.
The Illini (2-7, 0-5 Big Ten) have particularly cut back on what was already a limited downfield passing attack. Illinois averaged just 51. Yards a completion in last Saturday's 52-22 loss at Ohio State. It was the Illini's sixth-straight defeat.
Scheelhaase says he thinks he's healthy enough to run whatever plays the offense needs him to run. And he hopes to rev up the downfield attack Saturday against Minnesota (5-4, 1-4).
