CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 22 Illinois will host No. 24 Michigan on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT for the Memorial Stadium Rededication Game. The contest between two ranked foes comes 100 years and one day after Memorial Stadium's initial dedication and Red Grange's historic six-touchdown performance against the Wolverines. Saturday's game will air nationally on CBS.
The Fighting Illini sit at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play following a 50-49 overtime victory over Purdue last week. The win marked the program's first home triumph over the Boilermakers since 2010 as the Orange and Blue brought The Cannon back to Champaign for the first time since 2019.
Luke Altmyer threw for a career-high 379 yards, amassed 60 yards on the ground, and finished with four total touchdowns in the win. Josh McCray totaled three scores, including the first touchdown reception of his collegiate career. Pat Bryant registered the go-ahead touchdown in overtime before Dylan Rosiek sacked the Purdue quarterback on a two-point conversion attempt overtime to seal the victory.
The win saw the Illini improve to 5-1 for the second time under fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema, who became the third coach in Illinois history to have at least five wins in each of his first four seasons in Champaign (John Mackovic, 1988-91; Lou Tepper, 1992-95).
The Wolverines visit Champaign for the first time since 2019 and hold a 4-2 overall mark and a 2-1 record in conference play this season. Michigan took its first of two bye weeks last week after falling on the road to Washington, 27-17, on Oct. 5.
Saturday's sold-out meeting between the No. 22 Fighting Illini and the No. 24 Wolverines will be the first AP Top 25 ranked vs. ranked game at Memorial Stadium since 2000. It will be the 24th ranked vs. ranked matchup in the history of Memorial Stadium, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this weekend.
Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), and Jenny Dell (sideline) have the call on CBS. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the statewide radio broadcast, with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Kevin Mitchell (analyst), and Kacy Standohar (sideline) on the call.
Memorial Stadium Rededication Weekend
Illinois has announced detailed plans for the Rededication weekend, set for Thursday, Oct. 17-Saturday, Oct. 19. To view the complete schedule of Memorial Stadium Rededication plans, click here.
Illinois will don 1920s-themed uniforms on Saturday, with the helmets, jerseys, and pants all designed to mirror the attire worn by Red Grange and the Fighting Illini football teams that represented the university during the early years of the program's existence. To learn more about the uniforms and individually hand-painted helmets, click here.
Other game day features include a special pregame presentation of the game ball by some of Illinois' most legendary players, a flyover conducted by the United States Navy, all former football players in attendance being honored at halftime, and a halftime performance by the Marching Illini involving family members of Illinois' athletic architects from the early years – Athletic Director George Huff, Head Football Coach Robert Zuppke and Red Grange.
Saturday's game program will be a recreation of the original 1924 game program artwork. Game programs are available for free in the east and west halls of Memorial Stadium (limit 1 per fan).
Game Day at Memorial Stadium
Giveaway: The first 10,000 fans inside Memorial Stadium will receive a free rally towel sponsored by Toyota.
Air Raid Siren: New for 2024, an Illini celebrity will sound the Illini air raid siren right before kickoff to get the crowd pumped up for the Fighting Illini football team. This week's sounder is Fighting Illini legend Howard Griffith, who set the NCAA record with 8 touchdowns at Memorial Stadium.
Illini Hour: The popular Illini Hour is returning to Memorial Stadium in 2024. From 90 minutes to 30 minutes before kickoff, all hot dogs, non-alcoholic beverages (excluding souvenir cups), and Carbliss and Nutrl seltzers are just $3, and 24 ounce domestic beers will be $7. This week's Illini Hour will run from 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT before the 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff.
Freaky Fast 77 Yard Dash: "The Galloping Ghost" has returned to Memorial Stadium for Year 2 of The Freaky Fast 77 Yard Dash presented by Jimmy John's. Between the third and fourth quarters, an Illinois student will race Red Grange inside the hashes of Zuppke Field at Memorial Stadium. The student racing the modern-day version of Red will have a chance to win free Jimmy John's for a year. Fans can interact and take photos with Red Grange inside Grange Grove on game days beginning three hours prior to kickoff.
100th Anniversary Museum: Illinois has installed a free pop-up museum celebrating the history of Memorial Stadium inside of the Great West Hall. The museum features imagery and artifacts from the greatest moments in Memorial Stadium history.
$4 Hot Dogs: Hot dogs at Memorial Stadium concession stands have been reduced to $4 after being priced at $6 last season.
I FUND, Season Ticket Holder, and ICON Concessions Discount: Fans who purchased or renewed their football season tickets by April 1 received 10% off concessions at all home games during the Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary season, while I FUND members will receive an additional 5% savings for 15% off at Memorial Stadium concession stands. ICON members receive 15% off at Memorial Stadium concession stands.
ICON On-Field Experience: The ICON Pregame Party, which became popular in the State Farm Center Beer Cave, is now at Memorial Stadium. ICON members at The Quad level and above ($1,000+) will be invited to field level in the south end zone during pregame warmups.
Press Conference
Notes
Sold-Out Memorial Stadium to Host #22 Illinois, #24 Michigan
- Illinois, #22 in the AP Top 25 and #21 in the Coaches Poll, hosts #24 Michigan on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.
- The Michigan game will be Illinois' second sellout of the season after the Illini beat #19 Kansas in front of a capacity crowd of 60,670 on Sept. 7. Illinois has sold out two games in a single season for the first time since 2009.
Illinois Off to 5-1 Start, Ranked for the Fifth Straight Week
- Illinois is 5-1 including two AP Top 25 wins for the first time since 1990.
- Illinois is 5-1 or better with two AP Top 25 wins for the fifth time in program history (1950, 1951, 1983, 1990, 2024).
- Illinois is 5-1 for the second time in Bret Bielema's four seasons as head coach (2022 and 2024).
- Illinois is 5-1 or better for the fifth time since 2000 (2001, 2007, 2011, 2022, 2024).
- Illinois, #1 Texas, #8 LSU, #11 Tennessee, #12 Notre Dame, #17 Kansas State, and Syracuse are the only teams in the nation with two AP Top 25 wins this season. Illinois is the only Big Ten team with two AP Top 25 wins this season.
- Illinois had two AP Top 25 wins during September for the first time in program history.
- Illinois has two AP Top 25 wins in a single season for the first time since 2007, when the Illini beat three AP ranked teams.
- At Nebraska, Illinois picked up its first ranked vs. ranked win since #12 Illinois defeated #25 Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2001.
- The Sept. 15 AP Top 25 poll marked the earliest in a season that Illinois has been voted into the top 25 since 2008.
- Before back-to-back wins against #19 Kansas and #22 Nebraska, Illinois was 2-32 in its previous 34 games against the AP Top 25.
Saturday's Ranked vs. Ranked Matchup
- Saturday will be the first AP Top 25 ranked vs. ranked game at Memorial Stadium since Sept. 23, 2000. The 24 years between ranked vs. ranked games is the longest gap between ranked vs. ranked games in Memorial Stadium history.
- Memorial Stadium has hosted 23 AP Top 25 ranked vs. ranked games during its 100-year history. The Illini have gone 11-11-1 in their 23 ranked vs. ranked games at home.
- Memorial Stadium's last three AP Top 25 ranked vs. ranked games have been against Michigan (1991, 1995, 2000).
- Illinois has not won a ranked vs. ranked game at Memorial Stadium since #20 Illinois beat #11 Ohio State, 10-7, Oct. 12, 1991.
- Illinois is 3-5 against Michigan in ranked vs. ranked games at Memorial Stadium..
The Bielema Era
- Bret Bielema has improved to 23-20 during his Illinois career. Since Robert Zuppke went undefeated in two of his first three seasons at Illinois from 1913-15, Bielema's 23-20 start is the third-best through 43 games by an Illini head coach, behind only Mike White (1980-83) and John Mackovic (1988-91).
- Bielema is 4-6 (.400) against ranked teams (AP/Coaches/CFP) as Illinois' head coach. His .400 winning percentage against ranked teams is the best since John Mackovic (8-8, .500, 1988-91).
- Bielema's four ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons are tied for the third-most in program history, behind only John Mackovic (8, 1988-91) and Mike White (5, 1980-83).
- Bielema tied the program record for road ranked wins (AP/Coaches/CFP) during his first four seasons. He is the second coach in Illinois history to win three ranked games on the road during his first three seasons, joining Lou Tepper (1992-96).
- Bielema is the first Illini coach to earn Top 25 rankings in two of his first four seasons since Ron Zook led the Illini into the top-25 rankings in 2007 and 2008, his Years 3 and 4 in Champaign, respectively. Illinois reached as high as #14 and were ranked for five consecutive weeks in October and November 2022 under Bielema.
- The Illini's sellout crowd of 60,670 vs. KU was the program's first capacity crowd since Week 2 of 2016 vs. North Carolina.
- The Illini's win over the Jayhawks was the first in front of a Memorial Stadium sellout crowd since the Orange and Blue defeated Iowa, 27-24, on Nov. 1, 2008. It also marked the Illini's first win in front of a sellout home crowd vs. a nonconference opponent since Sept. 6, 1986, vs. Louisville (23-0).
- Bielema joined John Mackovic (1988-91) and Lou Tepper (1992-95) as the only head coaches in Illinois history to win 5+ games in each of their first four seasons leading the Fighting Illini.
Illinois Facing Stretch of Ranked Opponents
- Illinois is on track to play five ranked opponents over a seven-game stretch, which would tie the program record for the most ranked opponents played during a regular season. The last time Illinois played five ranked opponents during a regular season was 2005.
- Illinois is on track to start its Big Ten schedule with four ranked opponents in its first five Big Ten games. The Fighting Illini have never started their Big Ten schedule with four ranked opponents in their first five Big Ten games.
- Illinois has only played five previous stretches of 4+ ranked opponents over five games during its program history: 1958, 1968, 1971, 1997, 2003
- Prior to the Purdue game, Illinois faced three AP-ranked opponents over a four-game stretch for the first time since 2011.
- This season was the first time in program history Illinois started its Big Ten schedule with two ranked opponents on the road.
- Illinois started its Big Ten schedule with road games in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2008.
- Illinois started its Big Ten schedule with two ranked games for the first time since 2009.
- Illinois' game at Penn State was the program's first top-20 vs. top-20 Big Ten game since 2000 (#19 Illinois lost vs. #10 Michigan) and the Illini's first top-20 vs. top-20 road game since 1991 (#13 Illinois lost at #15 Iowa with Bielema playing for Iowa).
Illinois Excelling in Close Games
- Illinois has an 8-3 record in one-score games over the last two seasons, including a 3-0 record in one-score wins over #19 Kansas, #22 Nebraska, and Purdue this season. The Illini have been underdogs in four of the eight one-score wins over the past two seasons, including three as road dogs.
- Illinois controlled the ball for 18:11 of the second half at #22 Nebraska, while outscoring the Huskers 21-7 in the second half and overtime to secure a 31-24 (OT) win.
- Illinois shut down Nebraska's running game in the second half, limiting the Huskers to 11 carries for seven yards between the third and fourth quarters, then sacked Nebraska three times in four overtime plays for -38 yards. Over the second half and overtime, Nebraska totaled 14 rushes for -27 yards.
- Illinois won five one-score games in 2023 (5-3), tied for the most in program history with the 1934 team. The Illini's eight one-score games played in 2023 were the most in program history.
- Illinois' five one-score wins in 2023 tied for the third-most in the nation during the regular season, behind only Old Dominion and Washington, which each had six one-score wins during the 2023 regular season.
- Illinois is 4-0 in overtime games under Bret Bielema with wins against #7 Penn State (9 OT, 2021), Indiana (1 OT, 2023), #22 Nebraska (1 OT, 2024), and Purdue (1 OT, 2024).
- Five of Illinois' seven one-score wins over the last two seasons have come in the final minute or overtime. This season, Illinois topped Nebraska in overtime. Last season, K Caleb Griffin had game-winning field goals to beat Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00), and WR Isaiah Williams had game-winning touchdown receptions from QB John Paddock at Minnesota (0:50) and against Indiana (OT) in back-to-back weeks in November.
- QB Luke Altmyer has led four game-winning drives in the final minute or overtime during his Illini career. He led the Illini on last-second field goal drives against Toledo (0:05) and Maryland (0:00) in 2023. This season, he has thrown the deciding touchdown to Pat Bryant in the opening drive of overtime wins over #22 Nebraska and Purdue.
- Illinois has ran three plays in overtime this season and scored two touchdowns (both Altmyer to Bryant TD passes)..
The Illinois Offense
- QB Luke Altmyer is 14th in the nation in passing efficiency. His 167.7 passing efficiency would be the best in Illini history.
- Altmyer is 13th in the nation in passing touchdowns (14).
- Altmyer is one of only two quarterbacks in the nation with 14+ TD passes and only one INT (Alonza Barnett III, JMU).
- Altmyer joined an impressive list of Illini quarterbacks who have led the team to a 5-1 start with at least two AP Top 25 wins: Fred Major (1950), Thomas O'Connell (1951), Jack Trudeau (1983), Jason Verduzco (1990), and Altmyer (2024).
- WR Pat Bryant ranks fourth in the nation in receiving touchdowns (7) and second in the Big Ten.
- Bryant has two game-winning touchdown catches in overtime, both coming from Altmyer (at Nebraska, vs. Purdue).
The Illinois Defense
- In Aaron Henry's second season as defensive coordinator, Illinois ranks 33rd in the nation in scoring defense (20.0), an improvement of 60 spots in the national rankings year-over-year (93rd, 29.4).
- The Illini defense ranks in the top 20 nationally in forced fumbles (11th, 7) and interceptions (19th, 7).
- Illini DBs Xavier Scott (3 interceptions), Miles Scott (2), and Torrie Cox Jr. (2) have multiple interceptions. .
The Illinois Special Teams
- Kicker David Olano is 10-for-12 on field goals, including 9-for-10 inside of 50 yards and 6-for-6 inside of 40 yards.
- Kicker Ethan Moczulski's 59-yard field goal vs. Central Michigan, the first attempt of his career, set an Illinois program record and is tied for the fourth-longest field goal in the nation this season.
- Punter Hugh Robertson has landed 61.1% (11/18) of his punts inside the 20, which is on pace for an Illinois record.
- Hank Beatty leads the Big Ten and ranks seventh in the nation with a 16.6 yard punt return average.
The Illinois-Michigan Series
- Saturday is the 98th meeting between Illinois and Michigan. The two teams first met in 1898.
- Michigan leads the series 72-23-2 overall, including 35-12-1 in Champaign.
- Illinois hosts Michigan at Memorial Stadium for the first time since Oct. 12, 2019, a 42-25 Wolverines win.
- Only 17 current Illini have played against Michigan in their Illinois careers, and only two members of the squad - OLB Seth Coleman and DL Ezekiel Holmes - played against the Wolverines in their last visit to Champaign in 2019.
- Illinois is 2-8 in its last 10 games against Michigan with wins in 2008 (in Ann Arbor) and 2009 (in Champaign).
- Illinois is 10-44-2 all-time against ranked Michigan teams, including a 6-23-1 record against ranked Michigan teams in Champaign. Illinois is 0-10-1 in 11 such games since beating #8 Michigan in Champaign, 16-6, on 10/29/83.
- Illinois is 4-10 all-time when a ranked Illini team faces Michigan, and 3-9 when both teams are ranked in the top 25 entering the matchup. Ranked Illinois teams have lost six straight games to ranked U-M squads (including four such games at Memorial Stadium) since #9 Illinois defeated #8 Michigan, 16-6, on 10/29/83 in Champaign.
- Illinois is 2-2 all-time when ranked ahead of the Michigan in ranked-ranked matchups, with both wins coming at Memorial Stadium in 1951 and 1953: #12 Illinois at #13 Michigan (L, 28-14) 10/31/42; #3 Illinois vs. #15 Michigan (W, 7-0) 11/3/51; #4 Illinois vs. #17 Michigan (W, 19-3) 11/7/53; and #17 Illinois at #19 Michigan (L, 22-17) 11/10/90.
- In the last meeting between Illinois and Michigan, #3 U-M escaped with a 19-17 home win after hitting three fourth-quarter field goals, including the game-winner with 9 seconds left on a drive that was extended on a fourth-down conversion despite a controversial no call. Chase Brown recorded 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Illinois.
- Illinois and Michigan met for the Memorial Stadium dedication game in 1924, when Red Grange scored four touchdowns in the first 12 minutes to help Illinois beat Michigan 39-14. Grange accounted for six touchdowns in what remains the single greatest performance in Memorial Stadium history. To celebrate the 1924 game, Red Grange's wife, Mrs. Margaret Grange, attended the Fighting Illini's 1994 game against Michigan to help dedicate the Grange Rock, which sits at the north end of Zuppke Field, as a tribute to her husband.
- The 2010 meeting in Ann Arbor was an instant classic, with the Wolverines winning a triple-overtime thriller 67-65. Illinois' 65 points in 2010 are the most any team has ever scored against Michigan. The previous high was 58 points by Cornell in 1891, while the previous high by a Big Ten team was 55 by Northwestern in 1958. RB Mikel Leshoure scored five touchdowns, equaling the second-most in a single game in Illinois history.
- Illinois' most rushing yards vs. Michigan: 212 Red Grange vs. Michigan 10/18/1924
- Illinois' most receiving yards vs. Michigan: 157 Rich Kreitling at Michigan 11/8/1958
- Illinois' most passing yards vs. Michigan: 386 Tony Eason at Michigan 11/7/1981
- Illinois' longest rush vs. Michigan: 79 Jason Ford vs. Michigan 10/31/2009
- Illinois' longest pass vs. Michigan: 83 Easterbrook to Kreitling at Michigan 11/8/1958
- Illinois' most solo tackles vs. Michigan: 16 Dana Howard vs. Michigan 11/16/1991
Michigan Connections
- Illinois Chief of Staff Mark Taurisani was Director of Operations for the Michigan football team from 2017-20.
- Illinois Director of Football Strength and Conditioning Tank Wright served as the Associate Director of Football Strength and Conditioning at Michigan for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Wright held his wedding in the Michigan weight room on 12/13/2018.
- Illinois assistant strength coach Nick Elicone had a one-year stint with the football program at Michigan from May 2018-May 2019.
- Illinois defensive backs coach Corey Parker hails from Detroit, Michigan, and spent 13 years as a high school head coach in the state, turning River Rouge High School, located 36 miles east of the U-M campus, into a powerhouse with a 113-34 overall record and the 2019 state championship.
- Illinois assistant strength coach Tyler Mayo grew up in Dundee, Michigan, 29 miles south of Ann Arbor, and began his collegiate career in 2016-17 as a linebacker at Concordia University Ann Arbor an NAIA university located three miles east of the U-M campus. \
- University of Illinois President Timothy L. Killeen spent more than 20 years as a faculty member and researcher at the University of Michigan, where he also served as associate vice president for research.
COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF)
