Sept. 4, 1999

1. Brian Hodges' 5-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter was the first TD score by an Illinois tight end since Matt Cushing's 40-yard TD catch against Minnesota on Nov. 18, 1995.

2. Eugene Wilson's 65-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first half was the first since 1982 when Kirby Wilson returned one for 46-yards against Minnesota. It is also the longest punt return since 1967 when Dave Jackson returned one for 78 yards vs. Pittsburgh. The punt return was also the longest by a freshman since Paul Patterson in 1944.

3. The Illini's 24-3 lead at halftime was the largest since the 1994 Liberty Bowl when Illinois took a 24-0 lead into the locker room at the half. The 24 points are the most scored in a half by the Illini since 1995 vs. Minnesota, the Illini led 24-7.

4. Team firsts: Brian Hodges and Michael Dean, each scored their first collegiate touchdown.

5. Michael Dean's 40-yard reception is a career long. His previous high was a 37-yard catch vs. Middle Tennessee State in 1998.

6. Today's attendance is 34,227, a school record for walk-up ticket sales in excess of 3,000.

7. Kurt Kittner passed for a personal-best two touchdowns today, which also surpassed his total TD throws from the 1998 season.

8. The last time Illinois did not have a turnover in a game was on Sept. 19, 1998 against Louisville.

9. The last time an opponent did not score a touchdown against Illinois was Nov. 25, 1995 at Wisconsin (score was 3-3).

10. The 41-3 win against Arkansas State is the Illini's first opening-day victory since 1992 when Illinois opened the season with a 30-14 victory over Northern Illinois.