South Dakota State @ Illinois preview

THE STORY: Illinois continues its season-opening five-game homestand when it faces off against South Dakota State in Champaign, Ill. on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Illini posted a 33-15 victory over Arkansas State in its first game, while the FCS member Jackrabbits held on for a 29-28 home win over Southern Utah. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: None.

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (1-0): The Jackrabbits barely survived their 2011 opener, holding on for a one-point triumph when senior LB Dirk Kool broke up a two-point attempt with two seconds remaining. South Dakota State nearly squandered a 29-7 lead in the fourth quarter after committing a pair of costly turnovers. Junior RB Tyrel Kool (no relation to Dirk) paced the offense with 107 yards rushing and six catches for 79 yards and a score.

ABOUT ILLINOIS (1-0): In rolling past the Indians, the Fighting Illini opened the season with a win for the first time since 2006. The offense racked up 202 rushing yards and 473 yards of total offense, a nice start for a unit that led the Big Ten in rushing (246.1 ypg) last season. Senior WR A.J. Jenkins established new career highs with 11 catches for 148 yards, while sophomore QB Nathan Scheelhaase completed 16-of-23 passes for a career-best 267 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Illinois coach Ron Zook is 5-0 against FCS teams since he was hired in 2005.

2. South Dakota State went just 5-6 last season but held its own in a 17-3 loss at Nebraska.

3. Jenkins leads the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards after the first week of the season and rates among the top 10 nationally in both categories.

PREDICTION: Illinois 42, South Dakota State 13. The Fighting Illini offense should be able to impose its will on the smaller Jackrabbits, who had enough trouble stopping fellow FCS foe Southern Utah down the stretch last week.