ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Chris Pazan could have been shaking in his cleats as he took the field at the Big House Saturday for his first career start in front of 110,231 people.

But if he was, he didn't let it show in the huddle.

"There wasn't one time when he came into the huddle and looked scared or like he didn't know what was going on," Illini receiver Mark Kornfeld said. "I'm sure he was nervous, but he didn't show it. It's huge ... If your signal caller is looking scared it's going to affect the whole team."

The redshirt freshman Pazan started in place of quarterback Jon Beutjer, who is out with an injured back, after just two previous stints of late-game college experience.

He played at times like a freshman in the Illini's 56-14 loss to Michigan, Illinois head coach Ron Turner said, completing 11 of 23 passes for 100 yards.

He struggled early, putting together just two three-and-out drives in the first quarter for 19 passing yards. He also helped the Illini to only one of 11 third down conversions, made some poor reads and tossed one interception that Michigan returned for a touchdown.

"My job is to get the ball in my hands and get it into the playmakers' hands, and I don't think I did a good job of that today," Pazan said. "I made some throws that I shouldn't have."

But he did manage to lead Illinois on two touchdown drives and get the Illini within field goal range before being taken out for fellow backup Dustin Ward midway through the fourth quarter.

And perhaps most importantly, he didn't present himself like a freshman.

"Poise-wise, he handled himself very well," Illinois head coach Ron Turner said. "He made some reads that were good, and he made some poor reads ... But his composure and the way he handled himself was very good.

"He just has to get some experience and get some reps, which will help his decision making."

Pazan, who said he was not nervous on game day, had a little bit of help in preparing.

His receivers and lineman tried to joke around with him and keep him calm, Kornfeld said. He roomed with Ward on game night and "just (sat) back, went over the game plan a little bit and then watched some T.V.," Pazan said.

And he even spoke with former Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner early last week to receive some advice. Kittner, who Pazan often gets compared to, also came in to start in five games as a freshman. Kittner went on to become Illinois' second all-time leading passer with 8,722 yards.

"(Kittner) said relax, do what you do in practice and play ball," Pazan said. "He told me to expect that they're going to come after you, go out and play."

Pazan happily took that advice and said he took the opportunity to gain experience for future games.

"This was a big learning experience," Pazan said. "I learned a lot being out there today."

That's important for a player that could see a lot more starting time in the future if Beutjer is not granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA next year.

And at least one Illini thinks this first-time experience represents a glimmer of hope for Illinois' future.

"I think this is the start of something special," Kornfeld said. "He's going to be a great player in years to come."