Illini Hold Off Salukis 42-34

Illinois survived a pair of turnovers and 70 yards worth of penalties to grab a 42-34 win over Southern Illinois on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

The Illini led 25-7 at halftime but SIU cut into the lead late. Nathan Scheelhaase threw for 416 yards with two touchdowns and an interception as the Fighting Illini moved to 1-and-0. Ryan Lankford caught six balls for 115 yards while Josh Ferguson finished with 103 receiving yards and a touchdown in the win. Kory Faulkner tossed for 312 yards and three touchdowns for the Salukis, who drop to 1-and-0.

The Illini host Cincinnati next Saturday. SIU returns home to welcome Eastern Illinois.