Illinois and UTSA will meet for the first time ever on Saturday as the Illini return to Memorial Stadium for a game under the lights. The game marks the first time UTSA has ever played a Big Ten opponent.

While the Roadrunners are kicking off their 2021 season in Champaign, the Illini are coming off a Week 0 win over Nebraska. Despite starting quarterback Brandon Peters getting injured early, the Illini offense rallied around backup QB Art Sitkowski to earn the win.

The game will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network with a 6:40 p.m. CT kickoff. Tickets can be purchased at FightingIllini.com/tickets.

Some storylines to watch Saturday …

Under Center

After helping the Illini to a win last Saturday following a first-quarter injury to starting QB Brandon Peters, Art Sitkowski was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. Bielema and the team also named Sitkowski the offensive MVP of the game after he threw for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

While Peters missed the rest of Saturday's game with a left shoulder injury, Bielema said he has been progressing well this week. Peters threw the ball in multiple practices this week.

"Excited that we'll get (Peters) back sooner than alter, just don't know if it will be Saturday. Art will be the guy that takes a hold, has had a good week of practice. The guys have continued to build around him and kind of take his personality, his demeanor and obviously Tony (Petersen) and the coaches have given him the role as well. Excited about that."

Defense to be Tested

The Roadrunner's offense is led by the run attack as running back Sincere McCormick led Conference USA in rushing yards last season. In 2020, McCormick was named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele after rushing for 1,467 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Ryan Walter's defense will be challenged against against UTSA. His unit rose up to the challenge last week by limiting Nebraska to 22 points. 

The Illini d-line looked strong in the opener, allowing just 160 rushing yards after the Cornhuskers averaged 201.4 per game in 2020.

Bielema, Lunney Reunite

Bret Bielema will reunite with UTSA offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. on the field for the first time since 2017. Bielema hired Lunney as the tight ends coach at Arkansas shortly after he took over the head coaching position.

Lunney, an Arkansas football alum, coached under Bielema during his entire tenure and has been with the Roadrunners since late 2019.

"Barry is a very accomplished coach, and an incredible person, father," Bielema said. "He's got two incredible young men, two boys, who are just awesome people. When I hired him, he was the offensive coordinator at Fayetteville High School. When I was taking over, his dad was a legendary coach, represents everything that's great about our profession. I interviewed Barry, quickly realized he was somebody I wanted to have in my program."