Illinois opens the season at home Thursday night against Eastern Illinois. Illinois needs a decisive victory to get some momentum ahead of Big Ten play. Bret Bielema is 18-19 in three seasons in Champaign, with a promising 8-5 finish bookended by two 5-7 seasons. Eastern Illinois was 8-3 a year ago and ranked No. 24 in the final FCS poll.
FILE - Illinois quarterback John Paddock, right, hands off the ball to running back Reggie Love III, left, during the NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Nov. 25, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. FILE - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema , left, talks to referees during the NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Nov. 25, 2023, in Champaign, Ill.
Eastern Illinois, 8-3 a year ago and ranked No. 24 in the final FCS poll, has an opportunity to pull off a major upset against a foe just 56 miles from its campus in Charleston.Eastern Illinois QB Pierce Holley vs. the Illinois defense. Holley, a two-year starter, passed for 2,741 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, his first at Eastern Illinois after transferring from Georgetown. The Illini led the nation in scoring defense in 2022 but slipped last season to No. 95 .
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