Final Score: Illinois 42 Akron 3

Brief Recap: There have been plenty of things the Illinois football program has lacked during the Lovie Smith era. A consistent defense, solid quarterback play and a lack of dominant wins have eluded Champaign for years. But the Illini had all three of those things in Saturday’s season opener against Akron. Brandon Peters threw three touchdown passes and rushed for one more, proving he can be the answer to Illinois’ quarterback issues. The defense was stingy silencing the Akron offense all afternoon long. On both sides of the football, this was a solid win for the Illini.

Key Moment: Late in the second quarter with a 21-3 advantage, Peters took off for a 20-yard touchdown run, giving the Illini a 28-3 lead heading into the break. While Peters was never really considered a statue at the quarterback spot, there were some questions about his mobility. Those were answered on that play.

Key Stat: Illinois’ run defense has been suspect at times in the past, so holding Akron to just 64 rushing yards on 38 carries was a big accomplishment. No, the Zips aren’t exactly the kind of offensive team the Illini defense will face in the B1G this year, but stopping the run is key in any situation. This was a great way to start the year.

Key Player: Picking the quarterback is always the easy choice, but there’s really no place else to go with the selection. Illinois has struggled so much at the position in the Smith era, and Peters stepped right in and delivered a spectacular performance. He finished the day with 163 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-23 passing. Most importantly, he didn’t throw a single interception.

What it Means: The pounding the Illini handed the Zips was exactly how this team needed to start the season. It looked like a team capable of beating B1G squads this season and making a run at a bowl berth. Considering how far off Illinois has been over the last three seasons, that’s a great way to open the year. There’s still a lot to learn about this team, but it’s exactly how the Illini needed to play.