CHAMPAIGN - The result of Saturday's University of Illinois spring football game was as sunny as the near-perfect weather.

No wonder coach Ron Zook was smiling.

An enthusiastic Memorial Stadium crowd of 10,000-plus was the largest to attend the spring game in many years, and it witnessed the developing big-play chemistry between second-year quarterback Juice Williams and freshman wide receiver Arrelious Benn.

Williams completed 14 of 23 passes for 301 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Benn had five catches for 145 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown strike from Williams. He also ran the ball five times for 42 yards and a touchdown.

And if anyone missed this chapter in their young story, Williams said not to worry. There's more to come.

"The Juice-to-Rejus connection, it's probably something you'll hear a lot," Williams said of his new favorite playmaker. "It's excellent. He's the type of guy who can make something out of nothing. It's hard to describe."

Apparently, though, it's fun to watch. Fans were climbing to their feet applauding and cheering throughout the intrasquad game, won by the offense 49-33 using a unique scoring system that awarded points for big plays, defensive stops and turnovers in addition to touchdowns and place kicks.

Former Illini quarterback Jeff George was the honorary captain of the offense while former Illini All-America pass rusher Simeon Rice captained the defense. Both NFL stars came away impressed, and George said he was one of the many who got caught up in the excitement Williams was generating.

"You already know what kind of player Juice is," George said. "He's a young guy, full of talent, a ton of potential. Everyone knows what he can do with his legs. Today, he showed how well he can throw the ball. He creates plays not a lot of people can do. He gets outside of the pocket.

"You see the spark he brings, not just to the offense but to the defense as well. Standing on the sideline, everyone was on their toes waiting to see what the Juice would do. I was right there with them.

"I talked with him a little bit today. If he's willing to put in the time in the off-season - He's a very bright kid. I am excited for where the program is going."

Offensively, the emphasis Saturday was on the passing game and not just to showcase Williams and Benn. Starting tailback Rashard Mendenhall could not play after spraining his ankle in practice. That left Mendenhall's brother, Walter, and freshman Erique Robertson, a converted linebacker, to play the position.

Mendenhall made the most of his opportunity, carrying seven times for 48 yards and turning a screen pass into a 45-yard touchdown.

"We didn't completely open it up on offense," Zook said. "What you saw today with Juice and (Benn) are things we expect to happen. It's hard to remember this is Juice's first spring game. (Benn) should be walking the halls of his high school (he graduated in three-and-a-half years so he could enroll at Illinois in January). They are going to get better.

"You can already see Juice looking the safeties off. He has touch on the ball. The improvement (offensive coordinator) Mike Locksley has made with him is incredible."

The defensive highlight came when cornerback Chris Duvalt picked off backup QB Eddie McGee and returned the interception 86 yards for a touchdown. Decatur linebacker Brit Miller had another interception and 35-yard return, but it was nullified by a penalty.

At halftime, Zook handed out a number of awards earned during spring ball.

Most improved awards went to tackle Xavier Fulton (offense), end Doug Pilcher (defense) and place kicker Matt Brandabur (special teams).

Best effort awards went to lineman Martin O'Donnell (offense) and tackle Chris Norwell and linebacker Antonio Steele (defense).

Most improved walk-ons were defensive back Tyler Rouse and defensive tackle Mike Ware.

The Faculty Award for leadership went to O'Donnell and the Chancellor's Award for having the highest grade point average went to offensive lineman Ryan McDonald.