Illinois Opens 2023 Season at Memorial Stadium Against Toledo

Preview

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois football opens the 134th season in program history and the team's 2023 campaign with a meeting with the reigning MAC champion Toledo Rockets on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Opening kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

The Fighting Illini return to action after securing an 8-5 record and a January bowl berth during the 2022 season. Head coach Bret Bielema enters his third year at the helm of the Orange and Blue alongside second-year offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. and newly promoted defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who served as the program's defensive backs coach for the previous two seasons.

Illinois returns 10 all-conference players from one season ago, including Preseason All-Americans Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr., while the program also added four new assistant coaches who will all make their Illini coaching debuts on Saturday night.

Toledo enters the season as the preseason favorite to win the Mid-American Conference West Division after winning the MAC Championship Game last year. The Rockets ended their 2022 campaign with a 9-5 record, which includes a victory over Liberty in the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl.

Wearing their new uniforms for the first time this season, the Illini will face off with the Rockets in the season opener in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. 

The game will air on Big Ten Network with Mark Followill, Matt Millen, and Elise Menaker on the call. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the radio call with Brian Barnhart, Martin O'Donnell, and Michael Martin.

Press Conference

Notes

Returners and New Faces

• Illinois returns 10 All-Big Ten players from a year ago, the most in the Big Ten West and the fourth-most in the conference behind only Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.
• Illinois has 11 players on the Reese's Senior Bowl watch list, the most in the Big Ten West and fourth-most in the Big Ten behind only Michigan (18), Penn State (13), and Ohio State (12).
• Illinois has two preseason All-Americans in defensive tackles Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr., who go by the nickname "The Law Firm." The tandem was one of the top defensive tackle duos in the nation in 2022.
• Illinois returns six starters and 23 letterwinners from last year's record-setting defense, which ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense.
• Illinois will turn to new starting quarterback Luke Altmyer after Tommy DeVito ran out of eligibility and signed with the NFL's New York Giants. Altmyer transferred to Illinois in January from Ole Miss.

Illinois-Toledo Connections

• Illinois and Toledo will square off on the football field for the first time ever. 
• Jer'Zhan Newton's brother, Jerjuan Newton, is Toledo's top wide receiver.
• Illinois special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Robby Discher served in the same role at Toledo from 2016-19.

Promotions

FamILLy Fun Zone — Reunite with friends and famILLy in Grange Grove with fun activities for kids including bounce house inflatables, Illinois Football equipment try-on, face-painting, posters and other games to enjoy!

FamILLy Cam — Season ticket holders will have a chance to be highlighted on the video board with a new FamILLy Cam during the game.

Giveaway – Generation buttons for first-, second-, and third-generation Illini, as seen below. Fans can stop by the marketing table in the Grange Grove promenade for their button. Limited quantity available.

Toledo FamILLy 4 Pack — While single-game tickets for nonconference home matchups start at just $15, the "4 Pack" offers four tickets at a discounted cost of $49, with the ability to add additional tickets for just $12.25 per ticket. Great seating options are available with the FamILLy 4 Pack, including the Orange Zone and Horseshoe.

Historic Illinois Teams at Varsity I Autograph Tent
• Meet and get autographs from members of the 1983 Big Ten Championship and 1984 Rose Bowl Team in Grange Grove at 3:15 p.m. CT. The squad was only team in Big Ten history to beat every team in the conference during the season. 
• The 2003 Men's Tennis National Championship squad will also be meeting and greeting fans in Grange Grove in the autograph tent at 5 p.m. CT.

Freaky Fast 77 Yard Dash presented by Jimmy Johns — The Freaky Fast 77 Yard Dash presented by Jimmy Johns is set to debut between the third and fourth quarters between the hashes at Memorial Stadium. University of Illinois students can nominate themselves or other students to race Red by completing the nomination form here. 

Need a tailgate spot? — Reserve a tailgate in Grange Grove for FREE or book a fully turnkey tailgate with add-ons such as televisions, tailgate games, BBQs, high-top tables, and speakers. Catering options include; Nelson's Catering, Hickory River BBQ & Friar Tuck Beverages. Make your FREE or turnkey reservation through our official University of Illinois tailgate service provider Tailgater Concierge.

Illini Hour — Fans are now incentivized more than ever to enter Memorial Stadium during the first hour gates are open. From 90 minutes to 30 minutes before kickoff, all hot dogs, non-alcoholic beverages (excluding souvenir cups), domestic beers, and Trulys are just $3. Fans can visit any stand where items are sold to take advantage of the early bird deals. For the Toledo game, gates open at 5 p.m. CT and Illini Hour runs until 6 p.m. CT before the 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff. 

Res-Hall Challenge — The top three residence halls receive a $500 gaming package for their residence hall as part of the Res-Hall Challenge. The top three resident assistants who bring the most students from their floor will win exclusive Illinois Athletics Nike apparel. Students participating in the Res-Hall Challenge must sign-in at the res-hall check-in tables located at either 1) Bottom of stairs outside North entrance or 2) Upstairs in the North student section concourse.

Freshmen First-Year Frenzy — New University of Illinois students are encouraged to join Block I, the official student section of the Fighting Illini football team. The Block I hosts a tailgate in the northeast corner of Grange Grove with free food and drinks. Students will also receive a free t-shirt while supplies last for joining Block I and be invited to this season's Block I road trip game.

Season Ticket Holder Punch Card — The first game of the Season Ticket Holder Punch Cards features a discount on clear bags at Gameday Spirit for $10 and $4 24 oz. Smart Waters at the concessions stands. Each season ticket holder account gets one punch card featuring a unique deal at Gameday Spirit and concessions for each game. Fans must have their cards on site. 

Giveaway – Generation buttons for first-, second-, and third-generation Illini, as seen below. Fans can stop by the marketing table in the Grange Grove promenade for their button. Limited quantity available.