University of Illinois
Oregon
Illinois Hosts #25 Oregon for Military Appreciation Game
October 19, 2026 | Football
PREVIEW
| Illinois (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) vs. Oregon (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) | |
|---|---|
| Date | Time | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 2 p.m. CT |
| Location | Champaign, Illinois (Gies Memorial Stadium) |
| Tickets | Limited Remain at FightingIllini.com |
| TV | Big Ten Network |
| Radio | Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Listen | SiriusXM (123/233) | SXM App |
| Live Stats | illinois.statbroadcast.com |
| Illinois | Game Notes |
| Oregon | GoDucks.com |
| Shop | Fighting Illini Store |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
| App | Fighting Illini App |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For the first time since 1993, the Illinois football team will host the Oregon Ducks in Champaign. Saturday's game, marked as the Illini's annual Military Appreciation Game, is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
Saturday marks the fifth meeting between the Fighting Illini and Ducks in the overall series dating back to 1970. Illinois trails in the all-time series, 1-3, and is looking to beat Oregon for the first time since the two programs' first meeting 1970.
Illinois (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) and Oregon are two of the winningest teams in the Big Ten over the last three seasons, as the Ducks rank third in the conference with 30 wins over the last three seasons, while Illinois is one spot behind them in fourth with 22 wins since 2024. Oregon has the second-most ranked wins among Big Ten teams since 2024 with eight, while Illinois ranks fourth with six.
Oregon (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) enters the week ranked #25 in the Coaches Poll. The Ducks are coming off a 17-14 win over Nebraska in Eugene, after splitting with the two Los Angeles Big Ten teams in the first two games of the conference season with a win at USC and a loss to UCLA.
Nearly 1,000 veterans, active-duty military, and their families will be at Gies Memorial Stadium to celebrate the Military Appreciation Game through head coach Bret Bielema's "Coach's Commitment" initiative. Bielema, who started the initiative last year, pledged to personally match tickets purchased by Fighting Illini fans to bring military families to the game. The matched tickets were donated directly to service members and organizations that support them through VetTix.
Chris Vosters (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst), and Brooke Fletcher (sideline) have the the national television broadcast on Big Ten Network. ESPN Radio has the national radio broadcast with Marc Kestecher (play-by-play), Kelly Stouffer (analyst), and Ian Fitzsimmons (sideline) on the call.
The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the state-wide radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Kevin Mitchell (sideline).
Press Conference
Notes
The Bielema Era
• Bret Bielema is 40-29 during his Illinois career. His .580 winning percentage is the second-best in Illinois history among head coaches that have coached at least 50 games for the Fighting Illini.
• Bielema's 40 wins is tied with Mike White (1980-85) for the most by an Illini head coach in his first six seasons.
• Bielema has won 24 Big Ten games at Illinois, tied with Bob Blackman for the fourth-most in program history behind only Robert Zuppke (76), Ray Eliot (54), and Mike White (40).
Gies Memorial Stadium: Rising Attendance and Wins
• Illinois is 14-4 at Gies Memorial Stadium over the last three seasons (2024-26).
• Illinois ranks 23rd in the nation and sixth in the Big Ten in home wins since 2024 (14).
• Illinois has sold out seven of its last 10 games at Gies Memorial Stadium, including three straight sellouts this season (Duke, Southern Illinois, Purdue).
The Illinois Offense
• WR Collin Dixon is among the top wide receivers in the nation:
» One of only six players in the nation to rank in the top 15 in receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, along with Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Malachi Toney (Miami), Umari Hatcher (Syracuse), Kelby Valsin (FAU), and Jesse Legree (Oregon State)
» Third in the nation in receiving touchdowns (9), behind Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Oregon State's Jesse Legree
» One touchdown reception away from tying Illinois' single-season record of 10
» Ninth in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in receptions (47) » 14th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in receiving yards (608)
» 15th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in total touchdowns (9)
• QB Katin Houser will miss an extended period of time after suffering a broken hand at Michigan State on Oct. 10. Houser ranked in the top 25 in the nation in ESPN's QBR metric (21st, 80.5), passing touchdowns (24th, 12), completions (17th, 122), passing yards (23rd, 1,440) before going down with the injury.
• QB Michael Clayton II relieved Houser at Michigan State and became the first true freshman to throw 2+ touchdowns in a Big Ten win in Illinois program history. He was 6-of-8 passing for 88 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Hudson Clement on the first play of overtime.
• WR Hudson Clement has caught a pass in 33 straight games, tied for the sixth-longest active streak in the nation.
The Illinois Defense
• DB Matthew Bailey is the only player in the nation returning after leading his team in tackles in 2024 and 2025. Bailey is Illinois' leading tackler this season with 41, including a career-high 14 at Ohio State.
• DL Will Holmes' 17 pressures ranks seventh in the Big Ten, according to PFF.
• DB Juice Clarke ranks 33rd in the nation in passes defended (6).
The Illinois Special Teams
• Illinois ranks third in the nation and leads the Big Ten in punt return average (24.5). Mac Resetich has returned four punts for 98 yards, but does not meet the NCAA minimums to be ranked as an individual.
• Illinois has punted only 10 times through six games, tied with Oklahoma State for the fewest in the nation.
• Illinois punter Lars Rau has landed four of his last six punts inside the 12-yard line over the last three games, including two at Ohio State (4- and 7-yard lines) and two against Purdue (9- and 11- yard lines).
• Illinois kicker Ethan Moczulski is 10-for-12 on field goals and 10-for-11 inside of 60 yards, including two made field goals over 50 years. He ranks 19th in the nation in made field goals (10).
Turnover Battle
• Illinois has lost only four turnovers this season, tied for 15th-best in the nation.
• Illinois is 18-1 when it has forced one or more turnovers over the last three seasons (2024-26). The Illini's only loss during that stretch was at Oregon in 2024, when the Illini forced a fourth-quarter interception.
Fewest Penalties
• Illinois among the least penalized teams in the nation:
» Seventh in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in fewest penalties per game (4.2)
» Ninth in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in fewest penalty yards per game (38.7)
