In Lovie’s Smith’s first game as head coach, Illinois rolled past FCS opponent Murray State 52-3 on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
As expected, the Illinois defensive front was too much for Murray State to handle, as they constantly put pressure on Racers’ quarterback KD Humphries. Humphries, one of the top quarterbacks in the FCS, was 18-31 passing with two interceptions and zero touchdowns. The Illini sacked the Murray State quarterback six times.
Illinois scored on sustained drives and explosive plays. Wes Lunt completed the longest pass of his Illinois career, a 68-yard strike to Malik Turner on a post route. Lunt played three quarters, finishing the game 15-21 for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Turner had three catches for 83 yards and two TD’s.
The Illini scored twice off of Racer turnovers in the first quarter. After first time starter Julian Hylton picked off Humphries, Lunt and Turner got the Illini on the board for the first time connecting for a 5-yard TD. Taylor Barton followed suite with an interception at the Illinois 32-yard line on the next Racers' possession. Lunt then connected on the deep pass to Turner on the next play from scrimmage.
Illinois never looked back, out-gaining the Racers 515 yards to 187 yards in the route.
IT WAS OVER WHEN
Illinois running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn plunged into the end zone from two yards out with 9:36 remaining in the second quarter. Vaughn’s score put the Illini up 21-0. It came after a pass interference call against Murray State in the end zone on a Lunt pass attempt to tight end Andrew Davis. Murray State was not coming back from a three-score deficit.
CHALK BOARD
Defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson had a game plan designed to keep Humphries off balance. We saw some wrinkles that Nickerson didn’t tip off during training camp. The Illini stemmed their coverages in the secondary, making adjustments just before the snap that confused Humphries and resulted in ill-advised throws. Illinois also mixed in some zone blitzes on third down that forced several hurries.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kendrick Foster, junior running back. While the inside running game is still a work in progress, Foster broke off two long runs on stretch play, both for 56 yards. He finished the game with 4 carries for 118 yards. Foster's 29.5 yards per rush set an Illinois record. Ke’Shawn Vaughn could never really get rolling, as the Racers bottled up the off tackle plays. Vaughn averaged just 2.88 yards per carry. It was Foster who stole the spotlight with two explosive plays. Others: Redshirt freshman Reggie Corbin rushed 7 times for 71 yards and a TD.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Hardy Nickerson, senior linebacker. The transfer from California was all over the field, racking up 11 tackles. Nickerson is the surest tackler that Illinois has had in quite some time. He made tackles side-to-sideline, and brought down ball carriers in space with picture perfect form. Others: Outside linebacker James Crawford had 7 tackles. Defensive end Carroll Phillis finished with 3 tackles for loss. Auburn transfer Gimel President recorded 2 sacks.
NOTES
Seven true freshmen played for Illinois: RB Tre Nation, DL Tymir Oliver, DL Kenyon Jackson, LB Jake Hanson, OL Darta Lee, WR Dominic Thieman, LB Dele Harding
Illinois now has 19 consecutive home-opening win, the fourth longest streak in the nation.
Murray State gained 46 yards rushing, but had minus 10 net on the ground for -.04 yards per rush. The last time an Illini opponent was held to negative yards rushing was Western Michigan (-6) in 2012.
