No. 13 Illinois’ preseason play raising questions

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — With a deep, young roster and a No. 13 ranking, Illinois is expected to live up to some high expectations this season.

But a pair of too-close-for-comfort exhibitions wins over Division II schools have created doubts about whether the Illini are ready justify the hype.

Illinois coach Bruce Weber said last week that his team still has a lot of work to do.

Weber really needs senior Demetri McCamey to be at his best. The point guard was the team’s top scorer last season.

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E. Illinois overtakes Tennessee State 31-28 in OT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jimmy Garoppolo threw three second-half touchdown passes to Chris Wright, leading an Eastern Illinois comeback for a 31-28 overtime victory over Tennessee State on Saturday night.

Cameron Berra’s 37-yard field goal provided the deciding points for the Panthers (2-8, 2-6 Ohio Valley Conference), who had the ball first in overtime.

The Tigers (3-6, 0-5), who led 28-7 at halftime, then got a 23-yard completion on third-and-9 from Dominic Grooms to Jeremy Pryor, who fumbled at the 1 when hit by Carlos Reyna. The ball rolled out of the end zone and Eastern Illinois had the victory.

Garoppolo completed 20 of 33 for 331 yards and four touchdowns overall. After finding Wright for a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter, they hooked up for scores of 65 and 81 yards in the fourth to tie it with 6:46 remaining.

Terrence Wright had 135 yards on 14 carries for Tennessee State.