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/ Liberty Swell Bottle Australia .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. sWell Bottle Wood Australia Stockists . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. http://www.swellbottleaustralia.com/ . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Swell Water Bottle Australia . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Swell Water Bottle Sale . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis now has a blue Chicago Cubs hat to go with his traditional white skull cap.Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich presented Francis with the hat and what looks like a signed baseball at the Vatican on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after the Cubs won their first World Series since 1908.Cupich shared a photo of Francis holding the items on Twitterr .ddddddddddddHe included the message, News of the Cubs win reached all the way to the Vatican! Cupich says the pope can now celebrate with us and he asks for our prayers!Cupich is set to be made a cardinal by Francis later this week. ' ' '