Fourth and long: Lunt appears ready to start

Four items beat writer Matt Daniels picked up when Lovie Smith and other Illini met with the media on Monday afternoon at Memorial Stadium:

1. All signs point to Wes Lunt starting at quarterback for Illinois on Saturday against Iowa, barring something dramatic happening. The fifth-year senior played for the first time last Saturday during the 48-3 loss at Wisconsin and will likely replace Jeff George Jr. in that role during the final home game of Lunt’s time at Illinois. George has started the previous four games with Chayce Crouch (shoulder) and Lunt both hurt.

“For a player like Wes that’s been out a while, you can’t wait to get back out there,” Smith said. “To play a half last week, but to…