>> Illini Overcome Imperfections For Perfect Start

 Illinois is taking advantage of a favorable early schedule with an undefeated start.

Saturday's win over Western Michigan wasn't pretty. Illinois (4-0) trailed at halftime 13-10.

The Illini turned to their ground game to slug their way to a win. Troy Pollard and Donovonn Young don't start at running back, but both turned in 100-yard games in the 23-20 win.

Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase said Illinois' coaches told the players at the half that every good team has a game it has to win in spite of its play.

The finale of Illinois' 5-game homestand will be Saturday's Big Ten opener with Northwestern.

>> Two Illini Receive Weekly Honors

Two Illinois football players are being honored on the Big Ten's Player of the Week list.

The conference picked kicker Derek Dimke as Special Teams Player of the Week. The senior from Rockford was a perfect 3 for 3 on field goal attempts in the Illini's win over Western Michigan on Saturday. It's the third time Dimke has won the Big Ten's weekly honor.

Running back Donovonn Young is the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week after he rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts. Young turned in the first 100-yard performance by an Illinois freshman since Jason Ford did it in 2008..

>>Bailey, 'Boys Clip 'Skins

(Arlington, TX)  --  Rookie kicker Dan Bailey nailed a go-ahead 40-yard field goal with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter as the Dallas Cowboys clipped the Washington Redskins, 18-16, on "Monday Night Football" from Arlington.  Bailey accounted for all of Dallas' points with six field goals from 41, 27, 32, 41, 23 and 40 yards, respectively.  Tony Romo, who suffered fractured ribs and a punctured lung in the 'Boys Week Two win at San Francisco, completed 22-of-36 passes for 255 yards with an interception.  Felix Jones added 115 yards via the ground on 14 carries for Dallas, which improved to 2-and-1 on the season.  The 'Boys host the unbeaten Detroit Lions in Arlington on Sunday in Week Four action.