After gaining only 2,187 yards through the air last year, Illinois hoped to shore up its passing offense this season with the addition of an almost entirely new receiving corps and a matured Juice Williams. And while it was only one game against a Missouri team that was not playing its best defense, the Illini seem to have found their new complements to receiver Arrelious Benn: Chris Duvalt and Will Judson.

Williams threw for 451 yards and five touchdowns, putting him on pace for 5,412 and 60 touchdowns on the season. While Williams is due for an obvious trip back to Earth, his new receivers will likely provide a much-needed boost to the Illini passing game.

Duvalt and Judson combined for 223 yards and four touchdowns Saturday, which the two partially attribute to favorable matchups provided by Arrelious Benn. The Tiger defense was routinely double-teaming the Dunbar High School product.

“The defense was focused on Rejus a lot, but I mean, we just made plays and got open,” Duvalt said. “We made plays when we had to.”

Judson’s game of 177 yards on only five catches was personally significant.

“It meant a lot because I’ve worked hard all these years just to crack the lineup,” he said. “I’ve never even cracked 100 yards (receiving in one game) in high school. So putting up numbers like that is good, but it also says a lot about our team.”

Judson’s first start at receiver was complemented by Duvalt’s first game at the position. Duvalt was a converted defensive back and Judson a former inside receiver now playing outside.

“There’s just more playmakers on the field that Coach Locksley and Juice can get the ball to,” Duvalt said. “It makes things easier on (Benn); people won’t be able to key on him or Juice so much.”

Freshman Fred Sykes proved himself to be another receiving threat for Williams, catching two balls for 37 yards. Sykes represents the new receiver Ron Zook looks for: a taller, athletic receiver who can beat defenders in traffic and downfield. Sykes has been described as a receiver with smooth routes in the past, something he doesn’t mind hearing.

“I learned from a great coach in my high school coach. He taught me to do certain things well,” Sykes said. “So I feel I have a good attribute in coming out of my cuts.”

There is still an adjustment period for the freshman and other young receivers on Illinois’ depth chart – Alex Reavy, A.J. Jenkins and Cordale Scott. However, the learning curve is something all players inevitably feel, whether they’re Brandon Lloyd, Arrelious Benn or David Williams.

“It’s really not a big change except for the speed of it and guys are a lot stronger,” Sykes said. “When I got here, I got a chance to learn how fast the defensive backs break on the ball. It was tough, but I got through it.”

But with all of the talent, young and old, that has accumulated, expectations have been raised for yet another phase of Illinois football. The receivers are receptive to the change, though; they know it means they are finally getting where they want to be.

“We expect the same if not even better this year,” Duvalt said. “Expectations are very high around here. We expect to go to a big bowl game and come out a victor.”