Sept. 16--Illinois coach Bill Cubit doesn't tire of watching quarterback Wes Lunt. And he certainly can't talk enough about him.
"It's a joy to watch," Cubit said Tuesday on the Big Ten coaches teleconference. "He's like the coach out there. The way he's checking into plays and where to go with the ball, it's the way the offense should be run."
After Lunt set an Illinois record last season with a 141.6 passing efficiency rating, the junior has an even higher number (151.8) after two games this season. He has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 478 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.
He'll need to keep that momentum Saturday at North Carolina.
Cubit noted that Lunt has displayed improved leadership in his second season at the helm after transferring from Oklahoma State.
His numbers are especially notable considering the Illini are without receivers Mikey Dudek (knee) and Justin Hardee (foot). Cubit said both are making progress and he expects Hardee back soon, although not Saturday.
"The kid watches a lot of tape," Cubit said of Lunt. "It's just a whole different confidence (this season). Even the simple things -- we scored on a run play, you see him running around high-fiving guys, jumping around.
"He's having so much fun. When the game becomes really slow, you can have a lot of fun."
sryan@tribpub.com
