Illinois Takes Down Youngstown State

(Champaign, IL) -- Wes Lunt threw for 285 yards and four touchdowns as Illinois got a 28-17 win over Youngstown State in Saturday's season opener from Champaign. The Fighting Illini won despite having possession for less than 20 minutes in the game. The Illini face Western Kentucky this Saturday. The Hilltoppers started the year with a 59-31 win over Bowling Green.

Elsewhere in local college football Saturday, Northwestern lost 31-24 to California.  Everett Golson accounted for five touchdowns as Notre Dame rolled to a 48-17 win over Rice in South Bend.  Northern Illinois had blown out Presbyterian last Thursday and will play at Northwestern this week.

Northwestern and Northern Illinois are preparing for their meeting at Ryan Field this Saturday. The Wildcats lost their opener to Cal while the Huskies beat up on Presbyterian. Meantime, Notre Dame is fresh off a win over Rice and will host Michigan in South Bend this Saturday.