Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt talks with reporters at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, after learning he will be the starting Illini quarterback. Lunt transferred from Oklahoma State after starting as a freshman but sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules. Illinois starts its season Aug. 30 against Youngstown State. (AP Photo/David Mercer) (The Associated Press)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois coach Tim Beckman surprised no one by naming Wes Lunt his starting quarterback. But what Lunt will have to work with remains to be seen.
The receiving corps is mostly new faces. They include junior college transfer Geronimo Allison and freshman Malik Turner. Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit says they've improved but he won't know how good they are until they play a game.
The offensive line includes four players with experience. Cubit says he feels good about those four but doesn't know yet about right tackle Pat Flavin.
The running backs are experienced. Both starter Josh Ferguson and backup Donvonn Young played extensively last fall. And Lunt considers them a real strength.
Illini coach Tim Beckman believes Lunt will have better tools to work with than Illinois had in 2013.
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