October 26, 2026 | Football
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After leading Illinois to a 21-10 victory over #25 Oregon in the first start of his collegiate career, Fighting Illini quarterback Michael Clayton II was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.
Clayton is the only true freshman quarterback to start and win a game in the Big Ten this season. He became the third true freshman signal-caller in Illinois history to win a game as the starter, joining Juice Williams at Michigan State in 2006 and Kurt Kittner at Northwestern in 1998.
Clayton completed 11-of-18 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the second true freshman quarterback in program history to have two games with 2+ touchdown passes in a season (joining Williams).
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