Two plays into Saturday’s Spring Game, freshman receiver Rejus Benn was already dancing downfield to catch a pass from Juice Williams.

Benn logged a 64-yard reception on the play, and would add two more catches for more than 30 yards each as Illinois’ offense shined in the scrimmage that capped off the spring workouts.

“Rejus is a guy I can depend on,” Williams said after the game. “He’s the type of guy who makes big plays out of nothing, so getting the ball in his hands is a high priority right now.”

More than 10,000 fans filled the east side of Memorial Stadium on Saturday, taking in the progress of both the team and construction crews since the 2006 season ended.

They saw a gaping concrete hole in the North endzone, looming cranes behind the partially demolished West grandstand – and an offense that looked like it had already undergone its own renovation.

After completing just 5-of-16 pass attempts when the team scrimmaged in Chicago a week earlier, Williams was back on his game, connecting with receivers on 14-23 pass attempts.

Williams also capped off the scrimmage with an 8-yard run for a touchdown.

“You get an extra boost of energy and confidence when you see people watching,” Williams said. “That’s something I’ve been waiting on for a year now, last year I was here, but I was in high school.”

Illinois’ defense came away with the 49-33 “loss,” as the team implemented a special scoring system that factored in turnovers and stops as well as touchdowns and field goals.

The defense’s two biggest scoring opportunities came back-to-back, when senior safety Kevin Mitchell logged an 18-yard interception and sophomore Chris Duvalt followed suit with an interception he turned into an 86-yard touchdown run.

“I was very happy the defense scored. We came along together, creating turnovers, so that was a big positive in spring ball,” sophomore corner Vontae Davis said. “As a secondary, I think we’re ahead right now, but we still have a summer left of conditioning. But we’re ahead as far as knowing the plays, knowing where to be at the right time,” he said.

Coach Ron Zook said while both sides played well, he was most impressed by the offense’s ability to make progress even during the last day of spring ball. He cautioned that it doesn’t mean he is comfortable with where the team stands.

“The stadium’s under construction, the football team’s under construction,” Zook said. “We’re probably a little ahead of the stadium right now, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”