University of Illinois
Michigan State
Illinois Heads to Michigan State
October 5, 2026 | Football
PREVIEW
| Illinois (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) | |
|---|---|
| Date | Time | Saturday, Oct. 10 | 2:30 p.m. CT |
| Location | East Lansing, Michigan (Spartan Stadium) |
| Tickets | MSUSpartans.com |
| TV | FS1 |
| Radio | Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Listen | SiriusXM (268) | SXM App |
| Live Stats | illinois.statbroadcast.com |
| Illinois | Game Notes |
| Michigan State | MSUSpartans.com |
| Shop | Fighting Illini Store |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
| App | Fighting Illini App |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois travels north to East Lansing on Saturday to take on Michigan State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on FS1.
Saturday marks the 50th meeting between Illinois and Michigan State in the overall series dating back to 1955. The Fighting Illini trail in the all-time series, 20-27-2, but have won three of the last four against Michigan State.
This will be Illinois' first trip to Michigan State under head coach Bret Bielema, as the Illini have not traveled to East Lansing since a win in 2019.
Jack Kizer (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst) have the national television broadcast on FS1. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the state-wide radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Kevin Mitchell (sideline).
Press Conference
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema will host his weekly press conference on Monday at 1 p.m. CT. Fans can watch for free at FightingIllini.com/live.
Notes
ILLINOIS OFFENSE NOTES
• WR Collin Dixon is among the top wide receivers in the nation:
» One of only three players in the nation to rank in the top 10 in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, along with Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Miami's Malachi Toney
» Third in the nation in receiving touchdowns (8), one behind Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Oregon State's Jesse Legree
» First Big Ten player with seven receiving TDs through three games since 2004 (Taylor Stubblefield, Purdue)
» Broke Illinois' Gies Memorial Stadium record for receiving touchdowns in a season (7) in three games
» Two touchdown receptions away from tying Illinois' single-season record of 10
» Fourth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in receptions (40)
» Eighth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in receiving yards (546)
» 10th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in total touchdowns (8)
• QB Katin Houser ranks 12th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in ESPN's QBR metric (89.6).
• Houser ranks among the nation's top quarterbacks in passing touchdowns (21st, 11), completions (22nd, 102), passing yards (27th, 1,246), and passing efficiency (49th, 152.9).
• All four primary running backs for Illinois have scored touchdowns this season: Aidan Laughery, Ca'Lil Valentine, Jordan Anderson, and Javari Barnett.
• Ca'Lil Valentine, who has 1,051 career rushing yards in three seasons at Illinois, suffered a season-ending leg injury against Purdue. He finished with 50 carries for 225 yards (4.5 yards/carry) and one touchdown this season.
ILLINOIS DEFENSE NOTES
• DB Juice Clarke ranks 10th in the nation in passes defended (6).
• Among defensive linemen, DL Will Holmes ranks 28th in the nation in total pressures (17) and 19th in hurries (10), according to PFF.
• DB Matthew Bailey is the only player in the nation returning after leading his team in tackles in 2024 and 2025. Bailey is Illinois' leading tackler this season with 37, including a career-high 14 at Ohio State.
ILLINOIS SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Illinois ranks fifth in the nation and leads the Big Ten in punt return average (24.5). Mac Resetich has returned four punts for 98 yards, but does not meet the NCAA minimums to be ranked as an individual.
• Illinois has punted only nine times through five games.
• Illinois punter Lars Rau has landed four of his five punts inside the 12-yard line over the last two games, including two at Ohio State (4- and 7-yard lines) and two against Purdue (9- and 11- yard lines).
• Illinois kicker Ethan Moczulski is 7-for-9 on field goals, 7-for-8 inside of 60 yards, including two made field goals over 50 years.
