CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 23 Illinois will return to Memorial Stadium for the first time in four weeks on Saturday, when Purdue makes the short trip to Champaign. The Fighting Illini and Boilermakers will battle for the Cannon, with kickoff slated for 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.
The Orange and Blue (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) will play their first conference home game of the year after opening their Big Ten slate with back-to-back away contests against ranked opposition. Illinois began its two-game road swing with a 31-24 overtime win at then-No. 22 Nebraska on Sept. 20 before suffering their first loss of the year in Week 5 at then-No. 9 Penn State.
The Illini boast an unblemished 3-0 home record thus far this season, which includes a shutout win against Eastern Illinois, a 23-17 victory over then-No. 19 Kansas, and a Homecoming triumph versus Central Michigan.
Purdue (1-4, 0-2 Big Ten) arrives in Champaign on a four-game skid, most recently falling on the road to Wisconsin, 52-6, on Saturday. The Boilermakers have won each of their last four meetings with the Illini; Illinois will look to power past Purdue at Memorial Stadium for the first time since 2010.
As part of the team’s season-long celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Memorial Stadium, Illinois will wear its Four Stars helmets on Saturday. Famously worn during Dick Butkus’ years at Illinois, the Fighting Illini wore versions of the four-star helmets from 1962-68. Players’ numbers were featured under the four stars, and the helmet donned a gray facemask with white-blue-white center stripes.
Saturday’s kickoff will serve as Youth Sports Day, Ag Day, and Hall of Fame Weekend in Champaign.
Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst) have the call on FS1. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the statewide radio broadcast, with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Kevin Mitchell (analyst), and Michael Martin (sideline) on the call.
Hall of Fame Weekend
Illinois’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 11, at State Farm Center. Returning members of the 2024 class will also be honored at halftime of the football game.
The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics named eight, star members to the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024. This is the eighth Hall of Fame class and includes one coach and…
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