Illini at halftime (spoilers within)

ST. LOUIS -- Cheer up, Illini fans! Missouri's 16-3 halftime lead is its smallest since the Arch Rivalry resumed in 2007. Missouri led 31-13 at this point last year and 23-6 after two quarters in 2007.

Now here's all the bad news: All-America WR Arrelious Benn left during the game's first series with an undetermined injury, though the TV guys suggested he hurt his lower back. From all the way across the dome, I thought I saw the docs working on his lower left leg, but who knows? In any case, we haven't seen him on the sideline for a long time.

It's not good when all you get out of your All-American is a 23-yard kick return and a 9-yard reception.

Sophomore RB Jason Ford started, but he hasn't played in a long time due to an apparent injury. He carried once for no gain. Co-first stringer Daniel Dufrene is suited up, but hasn't played.

(EDIT: Benn and Ford are out for the rest of the game with ankle injuries.)

Let's see...what else has gone badly? Oh, yes, with Illinois facing fourth and 1 on Mizzou's 20 late in the second quarter, left guard Randall Hunt stepped on Juice Williams' foot as he took the snap and Juice fell down to turn over the ball on downs.

What else has gone badly? Oh, yeah, soph WR A.J. Jenkins let a Juice missile go through his hands and into those of Mizzou safety Hardy Ricks. The Tigers turned that turnover into 3 points.

What else has gone badly? Oh, yeah, Juice has missed badly on several throws -- usually short throws to Chris Duvalt. Juice is 7 of 13 at halftime. The INT wasn't his fault, one pass was broken up fair and square, one was a well-reasoned throwaway, but Juice has two bad misfires and Eddie McGee offered his own wild pass to Duvalt.

What else? Mizzou, which leads in total yards 193-151, gets the second-half kickoff.

LW