With an injured quarterback facing a stiff pass defense, the Illinois rushing attack picked up the slack, edging Western Michigan 23-20 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Fighting Illini QB Nathan Scheelhaase, playing with an injured shoulder, got a combined 233 rushing yards from Troy Pollard (133) and Donovonn Young. Scheelhaase ran for 40 more on his own, helping Illinois rack up 294 yards on the ground.

Derek Dimke’s 21-yard field goal was the difference-maker with just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The mammoth Illini offensive line paved the road down the stretch, allowing Illinois to eat the clock and improve to 4-0 for the first time since 1951 – the last time it won the national championship.

Western Michigan QB Alex Carder did his part by throwing for 308 yards against a chaotic Illinois pass rush. He tossed two touchdowns and was picked off once. Broncos stud receiver Jordan White had 134 yards and one touchdown, posting his third 100-yard game of the season for the Broncos (2-1).

Young, a heralded freshman, had a breakout game that included a 56-yard sprint in the second quarter to go along with a touchdown in the third quarter.

Scheelhaase finished the game with 133 yards passing.