Scholar Athlete of the Week | Ismael Kante
September 10, 2026 | Football, Academic Services
NEWS
Aug. 31- Sept. 6, 2026
Ismael Kante | Gr., Football | Major: Health Communication.
Fighting Illini fifth year linebacker Ismael Kante returned the first interception of his career for a touchdown in Illinois' season-opening victory over UAB on Thursday. Kante's 59-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter – which ranked as the second-longest in the nation in Week 1 – helped lead the Orange and Blue to a 42-23 victory over the Blazers at Gies Memorial Stadium. Kante also made the first start of his Illini career and contributed six total tackles with two solo stops on the night.
Kante, from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, is a graduate student studying health communication at Illinois.
Players Mentioned
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