Following a Julian Hylton interception on Murray State’s opening drive, Wes Lunt quickly kicked things off with a 5-yard TD pass to Malik Turner.
Illinois’ momentum carried over into the second opposing possession, as Taylor Barton hauled in a second-straight interception to halt the Racers’ drive at the Illini 32-yard line. Wes Lunt, again, hooked up with Malik Turner on the ensuing play for an impressive 68-yard score.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn decided to get in on the action, too. The sophomore running back punched it into the endzone from about 2 yards out to give Illinois a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter.