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CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- Kurt Kittner threw two first-half touchdowns and Rocky Harvey ran for two third-quarter scores as Illinois thumped Arkansas State, 41-3, in the season opener for both schools. Kittner, who completed 17-of-28 passes for 217 yards without an interception, hooked up with Brian Hodges on a five-yard TD pass with 1:50 left in the first quarter that gave the Illini (1-0) a 7-3 lead. He added a seven-yard touchdown toss to Michael Dean 5:42 into the second quarter. Harvey, who totaled 96 yards on 10 rushes, dashed seven and 41 yards, respectively, for touchdowns in a 2:02 span midway through the third quarter. The Illini recorded their largest win since a 47-7 pounding of Iowa on October 15, 1994. Illinois had taken control late in the first half with a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown by Eugene Wilson, the first for the Illini since Kirby Wilson ran one back 46 yards against Minnesota on October 2, 1982. Neil Rackers kicked a 22-yard field goal right before halftime to make it 24-3. He completed the scoring with a 45-yarder with 12 seconds left in the third quarter. Arkansas State (0-1) opened the scoring on a 33-yard field goal by Nick Gatto 5:47 into the contest. The Indians had just 178 yards of total offense and only 29 on the ground. Cleo Lemon completed 14-of-27 passes for 149 yards.
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