The Illini were 1-3 in the Big Ten, their defense ranked No. 77 in the country, and they were giving up 24.9 points per game. They were playing a great game. They had no penalties and no turnovers in the first half. But for some reason, Paterno smiled as he walked off the field at halftime. Perhaps that's because after 50 years on the job, he knows how to adjust.
Somebody has to make a big play.
Those big plays just weren't coming in the first half. It started with the switch at quarterback. This week, Casey took over after Thompson struggled. Tinkering with the mix if all is not well. Obviously he did, and that's a great luxury to have.