Lunt’s return lifts Illini passing game

IOWA CITY - Perhaps no Big Ten football player benefitted more from two bye weeks this year quite like Wes Lunt.

Illinois' sophomore quarterback suffered a broken fibula on Oct. 4 against Purdue. It was deemed a six-week injury, yet he missed only three games. This week, Lunt was ruled healthy and able to compete against Iowa.

'It's not all the way healed, but it's healed to where it can withstand hits and such,” Lunt said. 'It's just how the timeline ended up.”

Lunt was a force early in the season for the Illini (4-5, 1-4 Big Ten). He passed for 13 touchdowns in six games with only three interceptions. At the time of his injury he ranked in the nation's top 20 in completions per game (25.4), passing yards per game (313.8), yards (1,569), completion percentage (66.5) and passing efficiency (154.8). He also has 14 passes of 30-plus yards, tying for fourth in that category.

Those statistics alone would nudge Illinois Coach Tim Beckman toward starting a healthy Lunt. The third-year Illini coach also abides by a personal rule where a starter can't lose his position because of an injury.

'Wes was our starting quarterback, and I'm a firm believer that an injury can never take you away from being a starter,” Beckman said. 'What makes Wes so special is what he puts into being a quarterback. He's in this office as much as (offensive coordinator) Bill Cubit. He studies the game. Even when he was hurt he was still taking the quarterback tests.”

Lunt, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 225, also has many physical gifts that few people enjoy. He can sling it with the best of them and was a heralded recruit out of Rochester, Ill., where he led his high school to consecutive Class 4A Illinois state titles. He enrolled early at Oklahoma State and started as a true freshman in 2012. He opened the season as the Cowboys' starter and completed all 11 passes against Savannah State. He injured his knee then decided to transfer. Ultimately he chose Illinois and red-shirted in 2013.

Although he's only a sophomore, Lunt is one of the team's most mature players, Beckman said.

'Those experiences have helped him,” Beckman said. 'Wes Lunt comes from an outstanding family, comes also from a background of high school football that's been very, very successful. His experiences, even prior to the transfer and injuries and those types of things prepared him for who he is today, and he continues to get better and better through those experiences.”

In his six games this year, Lunt has gained 62 first downs through the air. He also is 31-of-38 for 417 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in the fourth quarter. Lunt also passed for 462 yards against Western Kentucky, second-most in Memorial Stadium history.

'Talentwise, he has a tremendously strong arm and he's got great accuracy with his deep throws,” Beckman said. 'I think he's a person that demands respects on the football field.”

'He can throw the ball,” Iowa free safety Jordan Lomax said. 'He's got a big body so we've got to get a nice pass rush up front and then in the secondary cover up the receivers and do a good job.”

The Illini are two wins from bowl eligibility. Illinois plays host to Iowa and Penn State before ending the season at Northwestern. The postseason has served as a motivator for both the team and Lunt.

'We have a chance to go to a bowl game, a very realistic chance,” Lunt said. 'We have to play well against these next three teams.”

Illinois' chances are a little better now with Lunt in control.

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com