>> Illinois scores cathartic win over Kent State 52-3

Wes Lunt passed for four touchdowns and Illinois routed Kent State 52-3 in the opener for both teams on Saturday, a day after it was re-scheduled due to lightning.

An Illini team looking to bounce back from a season of off-field turmoil took a 38-0 halftime lead Saturday and cruised to the win. Lunt was 11 of 19 for 162 yards before heading to the bench in the third quarter with Illinois comfortably ahead.

The Illini defense held Kent State scoreless until Shayne Hynes hit a 43-yard field goal with 8:30 left in the game.

Golden Flash quarterback Colin Reardon was 15 of 34 for 156 yards and threw three interceptions.

Illinois has faced off-field problems since a former player accused coach Tim Beckman of interfering in medical decisions. Beckman was fired on Aug. 28 after an investigation found evidence that he had. Beckman has denied any wrongdoing.

>> Iowa pounds Illinois State 31-14

C.J. Beathard threw for 211 yards and a touchdown in his first career start at Kinnick Stadium and Iowa pounded Illinois State 31-14 on Saturday.

Beathard also ran for two touchdowns, and LeShun Daniels, Jr. had 123 yards rushing for the Hawkeyes in their opener.

Iowa held the FCS Redbirds to just 231 yards - roughly half of what they averaged per game last season.

Iowa raced out to a 17-0 halftime lead and pushed it to 31-0 on Beathard's 1-yard plunge midway through the fourth quarter.

Jake Kolbe had 147 yards passing and two late TDs for Illinois State.