Stolen, recycled stuff from fightingillini.com, except where indicated...
Illinois vs. Duke
Date | Time Saturday, Sept. 12 | 2:30 p.m. CT
Location Champaign, Ill. (Gies Memorial Stadium) {TURN BACK JUDGE JUDY!}
Tickets Sold Out {VERY EXCITING}
TV FS1 {NOT VERY EXCITING FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING FROM HOME}
Radio Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Sirius XM (113/232)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Illinois is set to host reigning ACC champion Duke in one of the marquee nonconference matchups of the 2026 season Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.
Illinois (1-0) is coming off a 42-23 win over UAB last Thursday, while Duke (1-0) won its opener over Tulane 17-3 on Saturday.
The Illini and Blue Devils are two of the most successful programs in Power-4 over the last two seasons, with Illinois registering 20 wins since 2024 and Duke having won 19 games since 2024. Illinois is coming off back-to-back 9+ win seasons for the first time in program history, while Duke won nine games in both 2024 and 2025, marking just the second time in program history the Blue Devils posted consecutive nine-win campaigns.
Jack Kizer (play-by-play) - {Jack is a freelance play-by-play broadcaster with experience calling games for Big Ten Network, the University of Louisville, and other Division I schools.
Jack has broadcasted various sports for BTN including football, men's/women's basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, men's/women's soccer, field hockey, and gymnastics. Jack is also currently the TV voice of Louisville Baseball on ACC Network Extra and Bellarmine basketball on ESPN+.
Other recent opportunities for Jack include filling in as a radio host/sideline reporter for the Indiana Pacers along with calling games for the Indiana Mad Ants (G-League), Indy Eleven (USL Professional Soccer), Indy Ignite (Pro Volleyball Federation), and on radio for the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates).
Jack served as the the No. 2 broadcaster and media relations assistant for the Dayton Dragons (High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) in the summer of 2021 after graduating from Ball State University in May of 2020.
Jack's broadcasting journey (Carmel, IN native) began at Carmel High School's student radio station, WHJE, in 2014. His dream led himi to Sports Link, an immersive learning program at Ball State University. While at Ball State, Jack was fortunate to create many new friendships while gaining phenomenal sports media experience.
Jack is blessed with an amazing wife, daughter, and two dogs - Winnie and Moose. Believe it or not, Jack enjoys watching sports in my free time and visiting family. While Jack doesn't play often, his hidden talent is ping-pong. Jack strongly believes he could challenge Forrest Gump.
A career counselor once called Jack a sports neurotic, and he has embraced it ever since. Jack is very fortunate to have found his passion and is excited for what the future holds} - and Mark Helfrich (analyst) have the national television broadcast on FS1.
The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Kevin Mitchell (sideline).
New Traffic Patterns
The University of Illinois Division of Public Safety and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) will implement a lot-specific traffic-routing system for the 2026 Illinois football season. The new routes are designed to ease traffic as much as possible, but fans are encouraged to arrive earlier than usual and review their designated gameday parking route on the Illinois Football 2026 Parking Updates website in advance.
Notes
Game 1 Notes
Nine Illini made their first career starts at Illinois in the season-opening win over UAB: QB Katin Houser, WR Brayden Trimble, LT Christian Martin, LG Maika Matelau, C Jake Renfro, DB Jakwon Morris, LB Ismael Kante, LB Mason Muragin, DL Darrell Prater.
Illinois quarterback Katin Houser had the eighth-best passing efficiency in a game in program history and the best ever in an Illini debut (224.6). Houser was 13-of-17 passing, totaled 211 yards of offense, and accounted for four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing).
New Illini on defense accounted for 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, with Ean Rhea (1.0 sack, 2.0 TFL), Will Holmes (0.5 TFL), Darrell Prater (0.5 TFL), and Cameron Thomas (1.0 TFL) causing havoc.
LB Ismael Kante had the longest interception return for a touchdown in the nation this season (59 yards vs. UAB).
Stacking Wins
Illinois ranks fourth in the Big Ten - behind only Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon - in four major categories over the last two seasons: winning percentage (.741), ranked wins (6), home wins (13), and Power-4 wins (15).
Illinois has won 10 straight nonconference games dating back to 2023.
Illinois is looking to start 2-0 for the third straight season.
Illinois had six ranked wins over the last two seasons, including five AP-ranked wins (Tennessee was ranked #23 by the coaches but unranked in the AP at last year's Music City Bowl), the fourth-most ranked wins in the Big Ten.
Illinois had 15 Power-4 wins over the last two seasons, fourth Big Ten behind only Ohio State (21), Indiana (21), and Oregon (20).
Illinois set the program record for the most wins at Gies Memorial Stadium over a two-year period (12). The Illini went 12-2 at home over the last two years with 6-1 records at home in back-to-back seasons.
Illinois went 19-7 from 2024-25, including 15 Power-4 wins, 11 Big Ten wins, and wins over teams from every other Power-4 conference: the SEC (vs Tennessee, 2025; vs. South Carolina, 2024), the ACC (at Duke, 2025), and the Big XII (Kansas, 2024).
Illinois was one of 15 teams to have consecutive 9+-win seasons in 2024 and 2025, along with Alabama, BYU, Duke, Georgia, Indiana, Louisville, Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, SMU, TCU, and Texas.
Illinois was 6-4 against ranked teams and 13-3 against unranked teams over the last two seasons.
Illinois is looking to be postseason eligible for a third straight season, a feat the program has not achieved since 1992.
On the Rise
Illinois set the program record for the most wins over a two-year period with 19 from 2024-25.
Illinois had back-to-back 9+-win seasons for the first time in program history with 10 wins in 2024 and nine in 2025.
Illinois had 37 wins over the last five seasons (2021-25), tied for its most wins over a five-year period since 1901-05. [THE TRUE GOLDEN ERA!]
Illinois had 32 wins over the last four seasons (2022-25), tied for its most wins over a four-year period since 1900-03.
Illinois had 8+ wins three times in a four-year span for the first time since 1901-04.
Illinois set the program record for the most wins at Gies Memorial Stadium over a two-year period (12). The Illini are 12-2 at home over the last two years (6-1 each season).
Head Coach Bret {HE'S TRASH!} Bielema
Bret Bielema is 38-26 during his Illinois career. His .594 winning percentage is the second-best in Illinois history among head coaches that have coached at least 50 games for the Fighting Illini.
Bielema set the program record for wins in a head coach's first five seasons. Bielema won 37 games during his first five seasons at Illinois, passing Mike White's 34 wins from 1980-84.
Bielema is the first head coach in Illinois history to win 9+ games twice and win 8+ games three times.
Illinois won 23 Big Ten Conference games in Bret Bielema's first five seasons at Illinois. It is Illinois' most Big Ten wins in a five-year period since also winning 23 Big Ten games from 1990-94.
Bielema has eight ranked wins as Illinois head coach, tied for the second-most in program history.
Bielema is 8-9 against ranked teams as Illinois head coach. His .470 winning percentage against ranked teams is the second-best in Illinois history, behind only John Mackovic (8-8, .500) (rankings include AP, Coaches, and CFP polls).
Bielema is the first head coach in Illinois history to win 5+ games in each of his first five seasons in Champaign.
Bielema's five road/neutral ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) are the most of any coach in Illini history during his first five seasons in Champaign (2021 Penn State, 2021 Minnesota, 2024 Nebraska, 2024 South Carolina, 2025 Tennessee).
Bielema's 11 Big Ten road wins are tied with Mike White for the most by an Illinois head coach during his first five seasons.
Since Bielema's arrival for the 2021 season, Illinois' 14 wins as an underdog are the most in the Big Ten, according to data compiled by TeamRankings.com. The Illini's .424 winning percentage as an underdog (14-19) is the second-best in the Big Ten behind only Michigan's .438 (7-9) mark.
Bielema tied the Illinois record for most bowl victories (2) during this year's Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. Prior to Bielema, only Ray Eliot (1947 Rose, 1952 Rose) had won two bowl games as the head coach at Illinois.
Bielema tied the Illinois record for most bowls coached during last year's Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl.
In the Rankings
Illinois opened the season receiving votes in both the Coaches Poll and AP Top 25. The Illini were four spots out of the Coaches Poll and eight spots out of the AP Top 25.
Illinois finished the 2025 season ranked #25 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Illini were one spot out of the AP Top 25.
Illinois finished ranked in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1989-90.
Illinois went 6-4 against ranked opponents over the last two seasons (2024-25). From the 2008 Rose Bowl game through the 2023 season, Illinois went 5-41 against ranked teams and two of those wins were under Bielema in 2021 (at #7/8 Penn State; at #20 Minnesota).
Advance Weather for Saturday from Channel 9's own Harry Volkman!
Harry: Mr. Roberts is on assignment this Labor Day. He will be back during the week to give gametime temps. Today's boutonniere is from the fine students at Prairieview-Ogden CCSD 197!
Now for what you want!
Saturday: 85ฐ Mostly cloudy and humid
RealFeelฎ 86ฐ
RealFeel Shade 82ฐ
24% precipitation
SW 8 mph
Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day.
Humidity 74%
UV Index 6 of 11
Sunrise 6:31 am
Sunset 7:06 pm
Night 62ฐ
24% precipitation
N 6 mph
Partly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
Humidity 91%
UV Index 0 of 11
Moonrise 8:10 am
Moonset 7:39 pm
Moon - Waxing Crescent
Harry: Mr. Roberts will be back later in the week with more!
Odds from VSiN! I do not like the changes to the website.
Open: Illini -6/7/7.5 depending on your app
Current: Illinois -6/7/7.5 Can get -6.5 +100 at BetMGM.
ML: Puke: +190/195/220!
Illini: -220/225/275!
O/U: 53.5/54.5
Illini 0-1 ATS.
Tempo's Krazy Kompendium of Krap, sponsored by the Peotone Travel Center:
The newest and most prominent large-scale travel stop directly along I-57 is the Peotone Travel Center! Conveniently located off Exit 327 at 601 S. 88th Avenue in Peotone, Illinois.
Amenities: Large truck parking capacity, clean private showers, a full convenience store, an on-site food court, a driver's lounge, free Wi-Fi, and a CAT scale.
Security: Features bright lighting, 24/7 operations, and on-site security personnel
Also featuring: Charley's Cheesesteaks: Serves grilled-to-order cheesesteaks, chicken wings, and fries.
Dunkin': Offers coffee, donuts, and breakfast items.
Rosati's Pizza Express: Serves a selection of popular pizzas and Italian items.
Mela Indian Kitchen: Offers a limited menu of Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala and curry.
The Peotone Travel Center features standard Illinois video gaming and poker terminals in its dedicated gaming lounge. Six of the facility's video poker and gaming machines were temporarily damaged during a break-in and robbery!
There is no website so I cannot tell you how many urinals and stalls there are. Sorry Jasn! This is their statement on The Goggle, grammatical issues and all:
"PEOTONE TRAVEL CENTER is a comprehensive travel stop to cater the needs of travelers on the go. Conveniently located just off the interstate I-57 exit 327. It serves as a rest and refuel point for the trucks, cars, motorists and leisure travelers. The facility offers free wi-fi, ATM and other services like, Fuel Station, Restroom/Hot tub/Spa, Shower room, Lounge and video gaming, Convenience Store, Food court and CAT scale. Peotone travel center prioritizes the safety and security of its visitors, with well-lit areas, surveillance cameras and on-site security personnel. Peotone Travel Center aims to make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable with its comprehensive services and amenities. Thank you and look forward to serving you"
I have not stopped here. Yet. On to Tempo!
Hello HQ2 Trump Warmongers and Corporate Democrats! Only pick winning bets, like putting your mortgage on all DSA-backed candidates on Kalshi. Also, Justin Fields sits at long-shot odds of +50,000 (or +20,000 at select books like Caesars) to win the 2026-27 NFL Most Valuable Player award. Bet it all on him! He's due! Have I ever misled you? I was, after all, 80% on all 50/50 balls thrown my way in high school! Still am!
ThePAOTCMan's Tailgate Update. Need a sponsor!
No clue what I am doing yet.
Great segment. That should drive sponsorships.
Go Illini.
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