Postgame Notes 

Illinois 52, Kent State 3

Memorial Stadium // Sept. 5, 2015 // Attendance: 36,693

1. Illinois won its first-ever meeting with Kent State on Saturday. The victory over the Golden Flashes marks the 18^th consecutive home-opening win for Illinois, the third-longest streak in the Big Ten as of this afternoon.
2. The Illini put the game away by 49 points on Saturday, the largest margin of victory for Illinois since beating South Dakota State 56-3 on Sept. 10, 2011.
3. The Illini defense stifled Kent State in the first quarter, holding the Golden Flashes to two total yards and one first down, while forcing two turnovers. Illinois held Kent State scoreless in the first half, the first time UI has done so since Sept. 28, 2013 against Miami (OH).
4. Illinois produced two touchdowns within the first four minutes of the game, totaling 69-yards on its first two possessions. Junior QB Wes Lunt connected with junior TE Tyler White on a 2-yard pass for the first score (12:10 remaining) and connected with WR Marchie Murdock on a 34-yard pass (11:04 left) to take a 14-0 lead.
5. The Illini produced 28 points off four turnovers in the first half.
6. UI's 28 points in the first quarter stand as its most points scored in a quarter since putting up 29 against Miami (OH) at home on Sept. 28, 2013. Illinois' 28 points in the opening quarter were its most first-quarter points dating back to 1960. (Scoring summaries by quarter not available in UI archives prior to 1960). 
7. Illinois' 38 first-half points were its most since also scoring 38 in the first half en route to a 44-17 win at California in the 2001 season opener (Sept. 1, 2001).
8. Three of Illinois' first half scoring drives consisted on just one play. Last season Illinois had a total of two single-play scoring drives.
9. Junior QB Wes Lunt spread the wealth throughout his time on the field, as he connected with eight different receivers and his four TD passes went to four different receivers. Lunt finished 11-for-19 for 162 yards and four touchdowns. Lunt's four-touchdown performance tied his single-game best as an Illini, having also thrown four in the 2014 season opener against Youngstown State. 
10. Four Fighting Illini scored their first collegiate touchdowns today. Sophomore WR Marchie Murdock caught a 34-yard pass with 11:04 left in the first quarter, while freshman RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn scored on a one-yard run with 9:02 left in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter redshirt freshman QB Chayce Crouch connected with freshman WR Sam Mays on a 27-yard pass.
11. On the third play of Kent State's second offensive possession, senior CB Eaton Spence intercepted Colin Reardon's pass at the Kent State 34-yard line. The pick was Spence's second of his career.  
12. On Kent State's fifth possession senior MLB Mason Monheim intercepted Colin Reardon's pass and returned 43 yards to the Kent State 11-yard line. The pick was Monheim's fourth of his career.
13. Senior V'Angelo Bentley returned two punts for more than 35 yards, totaling three returns for 85 yards.
14. Junior Rob Bain blocked a field goal near the end of the second half, squandering Kent State's best scoring chance of the first half. The last blocked field goal by an Illini came from V'Angelo Bentley on September 9, 2012 against Penn State.
15. Junior WLB LaKeith Walls recorded a career-best seven tackles on the day to lead Illinois.