5/21/2024
The Fighting Illini entered a new era for the program on Dec. 19, 2020, with the hiring and arrival of head coach Bret Bielema. An Illinois native and longtime coach at the collegiate and professional levels, Bielema brought new energy to Champaign.
Instantly connecting and establishing relationships with the Illini squad, Bielema brought back an experienced, connected roster in his first season at Illinois in 2021.
The Illini opened the Bielema era with a 30-22 win over Nebraska at Memorial Stadium in front of the program’s largest home crowd in two years. While that season was highlighted by a nine-overtime victory at #7 Penn State in the longest game in college football history, Illinois closed Bielema’s debut campaign with a dominant 47-14 triumph over Northwestern to reclaim the Land of Lincoln Trophy after a six-year drought.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Zuppke Field at Memorial Stadium received new turf, which featured the program’s new brand and identity: #famILLy. Featured on both sidelines and behind the south end zone, the word helped reinvigorate the program under Bielema’s tutelage.
Carrying momentum into the 2022 campaign, the Orange and Blue went unbeaten in nonconference play for the first time in over a decade and got off to a 7-1 start, a stretch that included a six-game winning streak. Illinois secured home wins over Wyoming, Virginia, Chattanooga, Iowa, and Minnesota to begin the year, while the Homecoming victory over the Golden Gophers confirmed bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019.
The Illini moved into the AP rankings for the first time since the 2011 season and climbed as high as #14 in mid-November. Reaching the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time in program history when they came in at #16, the Orange and Blue eventually earned a berth in the ReliaQuest Bowl, the program’s first January bowl appearance since the 2008 Rose Bowl.
After the success of the 2022 season, Illinois had one of its most impressive NFL Drafts in recent history. Devon Witherspoon was selected #5 overall to become the highest drafted defensive back in Illinois history and fellow DBs Jartavius Martin (#47 overall, Washington) and Sydney Brown (#66 overall, Philadelphia) went in the second and third rounds, respectively. The Illini were the only team in the nation to have three defensive backs off the board in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. RB Chase Brown (#163 overall, Cincinnati) was also selected in the fifth round, Bielema's 11th running back coached in college to make it to the NFL.
The Illini followed up their success in the 2023 NFL Draft with four more selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. DT Jer'Zhan Newton (#36 overall, Washington) was the third-highest drafted defensive tackle in Illinois history, OL Isaiah Adams (#71 overall, Arizona) was the highest-drafted Illini offensive lineman since 2012, TE Tip Reiman (#82 overall, Arizona) was the second-highest drafted tight end in Illinois history, and WR Casey Washington (#187 overall, Atlanta) was the first Fighting Illini wide receiver drafted since 2012.
Illinois ranked as one of five schools with three or more players selected in the first three rounds in the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts, joining Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Penn State.
With a fresh crop of former Fighting Illini now making their marks in the NFL, Bielema continued to move the Fighting Illini program forward in Years 4 and 5 at the helm, guiding the Orange and Blue to back-to-back seasons with 9+ wins for the first time in program history – going 10-3 in 2024 and 9-4 in 2025.
Illinois capped the 2024 season with a win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, then defeated Tennessee in the Music City Bowl to close out 2025, finishing ranked in the top 25 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1989-90 and winning back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2010-11.
The 2024 season was special for the Illini and the program’s historic home venue as Memorial Stadium celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its 1924 dedication. The Fighting Illini faithful packed the stands with the team’s highest average home attendance (54,750) in 15 seasons. The Illini went 6-1 at home, including a 23-17 win over #19 Kansas in nonconference play and a 21-7 victory over defending national champion and #24-ranked Michigan in the Memorial Stadium Rededication game on Oct. 19, played exactly 100 years and one day after the Illini defeated the Wolverines behind Red Grange's iconic six-touchdown performance during the stadium's Dedication Game in 1924.
The win over Michigan capped a weeklong celebration that was felt across the entire University of Illinois campus. To mark the milestone, the Fighting Illini donned 1920s-themed uniforms with hand-painted leather-look helmets, and jerseys and pants all designed to mirror the attire worn by Grange and the Fighting Illini football teams that represented the university during the early years of the program’s existence.
The 2024 Illini tied the program record for wins in a season (10), finished with the highest AP Top 25 ranking since 2001 (#16), tied the program record with four wins over AP-ranked opponents, led the nation with five fourth-quarter comebacks, tied the program record with five one-score wins, and won six Big Ten games for the first time in 17 seasons.
Following the 2024 campaign, WR Pat Bryant was taken in Round 3 of the NFL draft (No. 74 overall, Denver). Bryant had tied for the Big Ten lead in receiving touchdowns (10) and was 10th in the nation during the regular season. He became the 10th player in Illini history to reach 2,000 receiving yards for his career, and he set the Memorial Stadium records for single-season receiving TDs (6) and career receiving TDs (13). Bryant led the nation with three game-winning TD catches in 2024, and the Illini went 7-0 when Bryant caught a TD pass, including a 5-0 mark in Big Ten play.
The Fighting Illini sold out season tickets ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 campaign as the Orange and Blue welcomed more than 400,000 fans at home for the first time since 1994.
After a 2-0 start, which included a resounding 45-19 road win at eventual ACC Champion Duke, the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced, on Sept. 9, 2025, a transformational $100 million gift from alumnus Larry Gies, one of the most influential philanthropists in Illinois history whose name also adorns the University’s College of Business. In recognition of Gies' contribution, Memorial Stadium was renamed Gies Memorial Stadium to honor his late father, Larry Gies, Sr., a United States Army veteran.
"This gift is about honoring my father, a true patriot, and every brave soul who has worn or will wear the uniform to defend our country," said Gies. "With this investment, we can ensure that this stadium continues to be a place where their sacrifices will never be forgotten—and a shining light for every American who protects our freedom in the future."
"Larry Gies is a visionary leader who invests in people and organizations that impact the world around them," said Josh Whitman, Illinois Director of Athletics. "I want to thank him for his belief in Illinois Athletics and the ability of our program to change the lives of our student-athletes, to advance the mission of our broader university, and to uplift the many people and communities connected to our program, both directly and indirectly. This gift is the result of years of thought-provoking conversations and is the continuation of a long-term partnership with Larry that will benefit generations of student-athletes and advance this program to even greater heights. I am grateful to Larry for his trust and confidence, and we are excited to honor him, and his veteran father, by placing their family name alongside that of our beloved Memorial Stadium."
For the second straight season, Illinois went 6-1 at Gies Memorial Stadium in 2025. Playing in front of record crowds with average attendance up more than 23,000 fans per game since Bielema’s arrival in 2021, Illinois secured 12 home wins over the 2024 and 2025 seasons to establish a new high-water mark for the program.
The 2025 season was highlighted by a thrilling 34-32 homecoming victory over #21-ranked USC. In the win over the Trojans, QB Luke Altmyer accounted for four touchdowns (two passing, one rushing, one receiving) with 359 yards of offense and engineered the final drive that resulted in a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Altmyer concluded one of the greatest careers in Illinois history, ranking in the program's top five in passer rating (144.31, 1st), completion percentage (64.36, 1st), quarterback wins (23, 2nd), touchdown passes (57, 2nd), and passing yards (7,607, 5th). He led the Illini to the 23rd win of his career as a starter in the 2025 Music City Bowl, tied with Jack Trudeau (1981-85) for second-most in program history and one behind the record held by Kurt Kittner (1998-2001). Altmyer also joined Nathan Scheelhaase as the only starting QBs in Illinois history to win two bowl games. He became the first quarterback in program history to throw 20+ touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.
Following the team’s victory over #23 Tennessee in the Music City Bowl, the 2025 Fighting Illini ranked #25 in the final US LBM Coaches Poll to finish ranked in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1989-90.
Three more Illini heard their names called in the 2026 NFL Draft. OLB Gabe Jacas (#55 overall, New England) was taken in the second round, OL J.C. Davis (#71, New York Giants) was taken in the sixth round, and DB Miles Scott (#246, Denver) was selected in the seventh round.
Bielema, who signed a six-year agreement in 2025 that will keep him at Illinois through 2030, has 37 victories, including 23 Big Ten wins, over his first five seasons in Champaign. That marks Illinois’ winningest five-year stretch since 1901-05 and the most by an Illinois coach in his first five seasons in program history. Bielema has brought national relevance to the Illini with three national award finalists – Jer'Zhan Newton (2023, Nagurski), Chase Brown (2022, Doak), and Devon Witherspoon (2022, Thorpe) – and 15 NFL Draft picks.
As Illinois heads into the 2026 season, Bielema’s sixth at the helm, season tickets are once again sold out, and Gies Memorial Stadium is set to debut the largest video board display in college football, taking the gameday experience for Fighting Illini fans to another level.
Gies Memorial Stadium Scores - 2021-25
| Date | (Ill. Rank) Opponent (Opp. Rank) | Scores | W/L | Attendance |
| Aug. 28, 2021 | Nebraska | 30-22 | W | 41,064 |
| Sept. 4, 2021 | UTSA | 30-37 | L | 33,906 |
| Sept. 17, 2021 | Maryland | 17-20 | L | 37,168 |
| Oct. 2, 2021 | Charlotte | 24-14 | W | 30,559 |
| Oct. 9, 2021 | Wisconsin | 0-24 | L | 40,168 |
| Oct. 30, 2021 | Rutgers | 14-20 | L | 36,942 |
| Nov. 27, 2021 | Northwestern | 47-14 | W | 27,624 |
| Aug. 27, 2022 | Wyoming | 38-6 | W | 37,832 |
| Sept. 10, 2022 | Virginia | 24-3 | W | 33,669 |
| Sept. 22, 2022 | Chattanooga | 31-0 | W | 37,579 |
| Oct. 8, 2022 | Iowa | 9-6 | W | 44,910 |
| Oct. 15, 2022 | (24) Minnesota | 26-14 | W | 45,683 |
| Nov. 5, 2022 | (14) Michigan State | 15-23 | L | 56,092 |
| Nov. 12, 2022 | (21) Purdue | 24-31 | L | 45,574 |
| Sept. 2, 2023 | Toledo | 30-28 | W | 48,898 |
| Sept. 16, 2023 | Penn State (7) | 13-30 | L | 49,099 |
| Sept. 23, 2023 | Florida Atlantic | 23-17 | W | 53,512 |
| Oct. 6, 2023 | Nebraska | 7-20 | L | 46,703 |
| Oct. 21, 2023 | Wisconsin | 21-25 | L | 54,205 |
| Nov. 11, 2023 | Indiana | 48-45 | W (OT) | 53,157 |
| Nov. 25, 2023 | Northwestern | 43-45 | L | 42,310 |
| Aug. 29, 2024 | Eastern Illinois | 45-0 | W | 43,849 |
| Sept. 7, 2024 | Kansas (7) | 23-17 | W | 60,670 |
| Sept. 14, 2024 | Central Michigan | 30-9 | W | 51,498 |
| Oct. 12, 2024 | (23) Purdue | 50-49 | W (OT) | 55,815 |
| Oct. 19, 2024 | (22) Michigan (24) | 21-7 | W | 60,670 |
| Nov. 2, 2024 | (24) Minnesota | 17-25 | L | 58,088 |
| Nov. 16, 2024 | Michigan State | 38-16 | W | 52,660 |
| Aug. 29, 2025 | (12) Western Illinois | 52-3 | W | 56,040 |
| Sept. 13, 2025 | (9) Western Michigan | 38-0 | W | 60,670 |
| Sept. 27, 2025 | (23) USC (21) | 34-32 | W | 60,670 |
| Oct. 11, 2025 | (17) Ohio State (1) | 16-34 | L | 60,670 |
| Nov. 1, 2025 | Rutgers | 35-13 | W | 60,670 |
| Nov. 15, 2025 | Maryland | 24-6 | W | 56,416 |
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Northwestern | 20-13 | W | 53,317 |
