Illini Blast the Buccaneers

CHAMPAIGN - Reilly O'Toole threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns and receiver Ryan Lankford had 97 yards and two scores to lead Illinois to a 44-0 win Saturday over Charleston Southern.

The Illini (2-1) were missing a handful of starters who were injured, including quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, who has missed two games with a sprained ankle. O'Toole got the start and connected with Lankford twice in the first quarter.

Illinois held Charleston Southern (0-2) to 125 yards of offense. It was the first game against a Big Ten team for the FCS Buccaneers.

Backup quarterback Briar Van Brunt led Charleston Southern's option offense with 10 carries for 52 rushing yards.