It is rare that winning teams hear so much booing, but the Illinois offense is getting an earful. Each time the Illini fail to get a first down, which is often these days, fans are not shy about showing their displeasure.
It has been directed mostly at starting quarterback Johnny Johnson, who was largely ineffective against Arizona and East Carolina. On Saturday, however, backup Scott Weaver also heard his share of boos.
Fans additionally booed the one-track offensive scheme that featured running back Robert Holcombe carrying 49 times. And yet Illinois beat East Carolina 7-0.
“I’m not going to worry about it,” said offensive coordinator Paul Schudel. “I don’t think the average fan knows what goes into a game plan, but they paid to get in, so if they want to boo they can.”
Fans booed the quarterbacks as they returned for first downs but cheered when they replaced each other.
Johnson came out after getting sacked for a 12-yard loss, putting Illinois into a much more difficult field-goal position, and placekicker Bret Scheuplein missed. Coach Lou Tepper called Johnson’s sack, which took the Illini from East Carolina’s 7 to its 19, a “poor decision.”
Weaver left after leading Illinois to just 37 yards on four drives, plus an interception.
“We changed them maybe to get something else going at that point,” Schudel said. “What it means down the road I don’t know.”
Said Weaver: “They said at the beginning they wanted one quarterback. I don’t know if that plan is out the window.”
Said Johnson, who appeared visibly upset at being lifted: “My job is to be loyal to the team and give 110 percent. I can say getting taken out put some fire into me.”
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Tidbits: Holcombe had all but one of Illinois’ rushes in the first half. . . . Defensive lineman Mikki Johnson has recovered a fumble in three straight games. . . . Linebacker Simeon Rice had one sack, his 58th tackle for a loss, breaking Moe Gardner’s career record in that category.