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The Fighting Illini from the University of Illinois will travel to Kansas to take on the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night. Out of the Big Ten Conference, Illinois comes in at 1-0 and hopes to keep progressing from last year's successful campaign under head coach Bret Bielema. Out of the Big 12, Kansas is also 1-0 on the season. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.
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Illinois narrowly avoided a season-opening upset with a dramatic 30-28 win over Toledo last weekend. Head coach Bret Bielema improved to 3-0 in season-openers with the Fighting Illini with the win. In front of the largest home crowd since 2010, kicker Caleb Griffin drilled a 29-yard field goal with five seconds left to secure the victory. Quarterback Luke Altmyer went 18-for-26 for 211 yards while also rushing for 69 yards in his first career start for the Illini. He threw two touchdowns in the game, both to wide receiver Pat Bryant, who had six catches for 64 yards.
“I'm just really excited for our team and the fans. I think this is the highest home attendance we've had at Memorial Stadium since 2010. I know that there's a lot of work that went into the season ticket campaign and a lot of things that go beyond just football staff and football players. Josh and his crew in the athletic department did a lot to make tonight happen. It was such a great crowd when we were walking off the field, and it was pretty awesome.” Bielema said after the game.
A special night for the Newton #famILLy. #Illini // #HTTO pic.twitter.com/jbPEiFjRO7
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 4, 2023
It was a big opening night win for Illinois considering the team featured 13 players making their debut. One of those new players, Miles Scott, had his first career interception and turned it into a pick-six in the third quarter. The defense allowed 416 total yards including 230 yards through the air and 186 on the ground. The Mudhens won the time of possession battle, 32:57 to 25:37 in the game.
Last season, the Fighting Illini finished 77th in total offense, including 55th in rushing and 98 in passing. Defensively, the team was far more effective in 2022. Illinois ranked fourth in total defense including ninth in rushing defense and 11th in passing defense. The revamped roster's ability to gel will decide their fate in 2023. Friday night's game will mark just the fifth meeting between Kansas and Illinois in the two school's histories.
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