Illinois

Illinois vs. Missouri 8:30 p.m. [ESPN] This is pretty big for an opening college football weekend. No. 6 Mizzou, led by quarterback Chase Daniel, can entertain notions of landing in the national title game. But not if the Tigers stumble against the No. 20 Illini in the Arch Rivalry at St. Louis' Edward Jones Dome. Last season, Missouri just got by Illinois, 40-34, as the Illini nearly rallied from 24 points down.

ILLINOIS (6-5) vs. EAST CAROLINA (7-4)Site: Memphis, Tenn.Time: 1 p.m. todayTV: ESPNOutlook: Illinois jumped to a 21-0 lead against Penn State, but lost, 35-31, when the Nittany Lions drove 96 yards for the winning score. Illinois ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 14.2 points per game. On offense, Johnny Johnson has thrown for 2,245 yards and 15 touchdowns. Dana Howard of Illinois is the winner of the Butkus Award, presented to the best linebacker in college football. The last bowl appearance for the Pirates was a win over North Carolina State in the 1992 Peach Bowl.

Former University of Maryland football recruit Melvin Alaeze left Illinois for personal reasons last weekend and returned to Baltimore. Alaeze, 19, was not available to comment, and his father, Dinma, declined to comment. Melvin Alaeze's departure comes less than two months after his arrival in Champaign, Ill., where the defensive end landed after marijuana charges and SAT issues led the Terps to rescind their scholarship offer this past summer. Similarly, suspensions marked the short time in Illinois for the former high school All-American and All-Metro from Randallstown, who played in two games and logged one solo tackle in his freshman season.

No. 4 Maryland (20-10)vs. No. 5 Illinois (23-9)What: Second round, NCAA West RegionalWhere: Arco Arena, Sacramento, Calif.When: Today, 4: 30 p.m.TV: Chs. 13, 9Line: Maryland by 5How they got here: The Terps outscored 13th-seeded Utah State 29-12 over the last seven minutes of the first half and the first five of the second half to take command of their first-round game. Illinois forced 20 turnovers and committed only six in its 64-51 win over 12th-seeded South Alabama.Conference record: Maryland was 10-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, finishing third behind Duke and North Carolina.

WASHINGTON - Former Sen. Paul Simon, a Democrat who ran for president in 1988 as a budget-balancing liberal, died yesterday of complications after heart surgery in his home state of Illinois. He was 75. On Monday, Mr. Simon underwent single-bypass heart-valve surgery at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, according to Southern Illinois University, where he worked in public policy. Mr. Simon began as a populist Democrat, winning a seat in the Illinois Legislature in 1954. He was lieutenant governor of Illinois from 1969 to 1973 and served five terms in the House of Representatives before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984.

No. 14 Clemson (9-2) vs. No. 16 Illinois (8-3)What: In the fifth annual Hall of Fame Bowl, Illinois of the Big Ten and Clemson of the Atlantic Coast Conference will face each other for the first time.Where: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Fla.When: 1 p.m.TV: Chs. 2, 4Clemson outlook: The Tigers have the No. 1 defense in the country, giving up only 216.9 yards per game. Clemson gives up only 71.7 yards rushing and 145.2 yards passing. On the offensive side, QB DeChane Cameron has completed 84 of 175 passes for 1,044 yards and five touchdowns.

Yesterday's results East Regional N.C. St. 69, Michigan St. 58 Connecticut 78, Hampton 67 Wisconsin 80, St. John's 70 S. Illinois 76, Texas Tech 68 Maryland 85, Siena 70 Georgia 85, Murray State 68 South Regional Pitt 71, Central Conn. 54 California 82, Penn 75 Midwest Regional Creighton 83, Florida 82 Illinois 93, San Diego St. 64 Miss. St. 70, McNeese St., 58 Texas 70, Boston College 57 West Regional Okla. 71, Ill.-Chicago 63 Xavier 70, Hawaii 58 Cincinnati 90, Boston U. 52 UCLA, 80, Mississippi 58

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether some of the country's biggest mutual fund groups acted illegally when they refused to buy securities at a recent municipal bond sale in Illinois.Vanguard Group, Keystone Investment Co. and John Hancock Funds said they were among the companies that federal antitrust investigators have asked to turn over information about the Illinois bond sale.The Justice Department's antitrust division confirmed that investigators are looking into "the possibility of collusive practices that may affect tax-exempt bonds," said spokesman Bill Brooks.

BaseballPittsburgh Pirates -- Signed CF Andy Van Slyke to a three-year contract extension worth $12.65 million.BasketballOrlando Magic -- Signed G Scott Skiles to a multiyear contract.CollegesIllinois -- Named Cleve Bryant offensive coordinator.Indiana -- Named Clarence M. Doninger director of athletics.North Texas -- Extended the contract of men's basketball coach Jimmy Gales through the 1992-93 season.