Illinois came out of its opener against Rutgers with a win. The Illini also came out with no key injuries -- and Ron Zook would like to keep it that way.

As a result, he may want to put the brakes on QB Tim Brasic, even though Brasic had 18 carries for 77 yards in the win over the Scarlet Knights.

"Brasic's OK, but he looks like he's been in a bar-room fight," Zook said. "He took some hits, probably more than we want him to. That's something we have to look at and address."

After facing San Jose State at home Saturday, Illinois will go to California the following week. The Bears lost redshirt freshman QB Nate Longshore with a broken leg in their 41-3 victory last week over Division I-AA Sacramento State.

Aside from Brasic's ability to throw the ball, the junior was given some option plays to help him settle down in his first college start.

"When a quarterback was struggling, coach (Steve) Spurrier would throw in a little shovel-pass completion to get him going," said Zook, adding that Illini offensive coordinator Mike Locksley figured that Brasic needed to relax.

After turning the ball over three times, Brasic bounced back and led the Illini's 20-point comeback, which equaled the largest rally in school history.

"We hadn't planned to run the option as much as we did," Zook said. "But Mike knows those guys. The more (Brasic) ran, the more the butterflies began to leave. He began to settle down and do the things we know he can do."

Still, Zook and Locksley don't want to put Brasic in harm's way any more than they have to. It should not be an issue against San Jose State.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Illini offense started to evolve in the opener. In addition to the running of E.B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas, QB Tim Brasic did a fine job running the ball on the option play and completed 24-of-34 passes for 233 yards. Ron Zook does not want his quarterback to fall in harm's way, but Brasic obviously has a talent for running the ball. Look for the Illini offense to focus on Brasic against San Jose State this week.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: There was quite a bit of negative news about the defense coming out of the opener. The Illini gave up 517 total yards to Rutgers, including 342 through the air. Rutgers dominated the game early behind Ryan Hart's passing, but the Illini turned things around after Brian Leonard ran for an 83-yard TD 4:11 gone in the third quarter. Rutgers did not score again in regulation and added just a field goal the rest of the way. The defense still has a lot of work to do but it did rise up and play well in the second half.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It really wasn't pretty. We felt that one of the biggest questions that we've talked about since we've been here was what we were going to do under adversity." -- Zook on how his team responded to a 20-point deficit in its first game.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: vs. San Jose State, Sept. 10 -- After beating Rutgers in the opener, the Illini have a great chance to go 2-0 before the schedule takes a turn. The come-from-behind nature of the win over the Scarlet Knights should provide plenty of momentum, but the defense needs to do a better job against San Jose State, a 35-24 winner in its first game under head coach Dick Tomey. QB Adam Tafralis threw for 290 yards and 2 TDs in that win and he has to be a concern for Ron Zook.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB E.B. Halsey -- He showed his versatility against Rutgers when he rushed 16 times for 50 yards and also caught 7 passes for 60 yards. He caught the game-tying 13-yard TD pass against Rutgers and set up the game-winning TD in overtime.

QB Tim Brasic -- He stepped up big in his first Illini start. Brasic looked good running the football and then directed a comeback from a 20-point deficit. He needs to continue his momentum this week vs. San Jose State.

S Morris Virgil -- Zook is looking to Virgil for leadership and he registered 12 tackles and a pass defensed in the win over Rutgers.

P Steve Weatherford -- He just warmed up in the win over Rutgers. Weatherford averaged 40.6 yards per punt against Rutgers, including one of his five kicks that were inside the 20. Weatherford has a booming leg and should averaged somewhere around the 43.0-mark by the time the season is over.

ROSTER REPORT: Offensive lineman Jim LaBonte (back) and defensive back Justin Harrison (hip) are questionable against San Jose State. ... Backup QB Kisan Flakes was reinstated by Zook after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver marijuana. He was placed on 30 months probation. Flakes will practice with the team and should be available to play in the Oct. 1 game at Iowa.