game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halif

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Lovie Smith has made no secret that Illinois defense was the strength of the team.On Saturday, the Illini proved him right, rolling up six sacks and pulling in a pair of decisive early interceptions in a 52-3 win over Murray State.Quarterback KD Humphries threw the two interceptions on the Racers first two drives, and both led to Wes Lunt touchdown passes and an early 14-0 Illini (1-0) lead.Its critical, its (a) winning edge, said Smith, who was coaching his first game at Illinois and first game as a college head coach. A lot of guys talk about it, but our guys believe in it, and thats the first step: to get people to buy into it.Illinois crushed the Racers run game, limiting Murray State to -10 yards on 26 carries.Murray State coach Mitch Stewart said he did not believe his team was overwhelmed by the idea of playing a Big Ten school, or facing a coaching staff led by a coach who led the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.I forgot my phone before the game, I was going to get a selfie with (Smith), Stewart joked.With Illinois defense keeping Murray State (0-1) in check, Illini quarterback Wes Lunt threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns heading to the bench in the third quarter.Kendrick Foster also ran for a pair of 56-yard touchdowns for Illinois. He carried the ball just four times for 118 yards.A year ago the Illini had just seen coach Tim Beckman fired, and Smith became their third coach in less than a year after Beckman-replacement Bill Cubit was fired.Smith said the win, no matter the opponent, meant a lot to the team .Were going to enjoy wins, period, no matter who its against, Smith said. But we realize its one, and tomorrow well be right back at it.THE TAKEAWAYMURRAY STATE: Stewart talked before the game about his hope that his team would not give in to nerves. Early, the Racers looked a little overwhelmed with dropped passes, stumbles by receivers and Humphries dangerous throws, including the two first quarter interceptions. In addition to pressure from Illinois, Humphries early struggles may have reflected that, Stewart said.His footwork was awful back there. I think he was just antsy, Stewart said.ILLINOIS: Illinois showed it can force turnovers, as Smith preaches, and turn them into points. And its clear the Illini have some big-play capability. But even with 287 rushing yards, Illinois never really opened the holes in the Murray State defense Smith has said he wants to see for starting tailback KeShawn Vaughn. The sophomore finished with 49 yards on 17 carries. And tougher opposition is on the way in North Carolina and Western Michigan before the Big Ten opener against Nebraska.FOSTERS CHOICETwo days after Illinois season-ending loss to Northwestern last November, Foster announced on Twitter that he planned to leave Illinois in search of more playing time. The redshirt junior later reversed course.Foster is the No. 2 running back on the Illini roster, but he had a career day Saturday. After his second long touchdown, he knelt on one knee.I was just so thankful. Im just finally getting the opportunity to display my talent and show what Peoria, Illinois, produces, the 5-9 back said.KEY NUMBERSMURRAY STATE: Those two early interceptions were Murray States only turnovers of the day, but they were big. Safety Julian Hylton intercepted Humphries less than a minute into the game, setting up a 5-yard Lunt scoring pass to Malik Turner. The Racers second possession ended with a Humphries interception by the other Illini safety, Taylor Barton. That pick was followed by a 68-yard Lunt-to-Turner strike and a 14-0 lead. The pass was Lunts longest college touchdown.ILLINOIS: Smith says linebacker Hardy Nickerson, the son of defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson, is the quarterback of his defense. And the younger Nickerson looked the part Saturday. He had 11 tackles, a sack and one tackle for loss.INJURY REPORTIllinois starting center Joe Spencer missed the game with an unspecified injury. Smith declined to talk about it in detail but said its not a long-term injury.UP NEXTMURRAY STATE: The Racers open their home schedule against Missouri State on Saturday.ILLINOIS: Illinois faces a tough test and its first Top 25 opponent of the season when North Carolina visits Champaign on Saturday. The Tar Heels handled the Illini last season in Chapel Hill, 48-14.---Follow David Mercer on Twitter: (at)davidmercerAPAssociated Press college football coverage: http://www.collegefootball.ap.org/ Adidas Nmd r1 China . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. Wholesale Adidas Nmd Black . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. http://www.nmdsneakerssale.com/nmd-shoes-r1-deals.html . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Cheap Yeezys Real . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. Adidas Nmd Wholesale China .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. BOZEMAN, Mont. -- John Walker intercepted a Dalton Easton pass in the end zone to seal Montana States 27-24 win over Bryant on Saturday.Bryant closed to within three when Easton and Jean Constant hooked up on 40-yard scoring play with 8:02 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick at midfield. Easton marched Bryant to the Montana State 20 before being intercepted.The victory gave new coach Jeff Choate his first victory at Montana State (1-1).Tyler Bruggman passed to John DDAgostino from the 10 and later hit Mitch Herbert from the 27 to give the Bobcats a 14-3 lead in the second quarter.ddddddddddddEaston, who had 208 yards at the half, threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted three times. Walker picked off two passes and Bryson McCabe grabbed the other.Taylor Barthelette caught eight passes for 161 yards for Bryant (1-1). ' ' '