Illinois Fighting Illini News - College Football | FOX Sports

Collin Dixon - Two touchdowns in opener Dixon caught all six targets for 70 yards and two touchdowns during Thursday's 42-23 win over UAB.

Impact Dixon was a name many floated as the possible top receiver for Illinois heading into 2026, and he certainly looked the part against UAB. The 6-foot-1 senior paced the team in catches and yards on the day while connecting with quarterback Katin Houser on a pair of touchdowns to solidify the Illinois victory. It was a perfect day for Dixon as he caught all six of his targets, and with fellow receiver Hudson Clement catching just three passes for 26 scoreless yards, Dixon could be making his case as the top dog in the passing game. A tougher test against Duke next week will serve as his next opportunity to shine.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ty Robinson - Catches Hail Mary Robinson reeled in their only target for 54 yards and one touchdown during Thursday's 42-23 win against UAB.

Impact Though Robinson caught just one pass on the day, it was a memorable one. With zeros on the clock at the end of the first half, Robinson tracked down a 54-yard Hail Mary attempt by quarterback Katin Houser to give the Fighting Illini a 21-13 lead at the break, a lead they would not surrender. The 6-foot-4 receiver was otherwise uninvolved on the day, failing to register a target in the passing game before or after the touchdown. He will hope for more action when the Illini host Duke next week.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ca'Lil Valentine - Leading rusher in opener Valentine logged 11 carries for 88 yards and one touchdown and reeled in their only target for four yards during Thursday's 42-23 win against UAB.

Impact Valentine led the team in both yards and carries on a day in which the Illini averaged 5.8 YPC. The 5-foot-11 running back showed off his big-play ability with a 51-yard scamper to the end zone in the first quarter, giving the Fighting Illini a 14-3 lead at the time. While fellow running back Aidan Laughery logged eight rushing attempts on the day, he wasn't very efficient (3.6 YPC), which is a positive sign for Valentine's target share moving forward. A home matchup against Duke awaits next week.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Katin Houser - Efficient in debut Houser was 13-for-17 passing for 182 yards and three touchdowns during Thursday's 42-23 victory over UAB. He also had three rushes for 29 yards with one touchdown.

Impact Houser was very effective in his debut as the Fighting Illini cruised to a victory over UAB. The 6-foot-3 senior tossed a trio of touchdowns through the air, including a 54-yard Hail Mary to receiver Ty Robinson to end the first half, to go along with a rushing score while completing over 75 percent of his passes on the day. A contest against power conference opponent Duke next week will provide Houser's first real test as quarterback for the Illini.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

High school QBs face new reality as transfers dominate starting jobs at the top of college football

This is a complicated time to be a high school quarterback recruit

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Jayshon Platt - Unlikely to play in Week 2 Platt (undisclosed) is unlikely to play in Week 2 against Duke, per Joey Wagner of 247Sports.com.

Impact Platt missed Week 1, and it's looking like two straight absences for the Illini receiver. The Florida Atlantic transfer is poised for a big role in this offense when he is able to return, but for now, Illinois will keep relying on Hudson Clement, Collin Dixon and Brayden Trimble at receiver.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Illinois Fighting Illini News: Bret Bielema's unique celebration, Illinois basketball 5-star visit, and more We are a game into the 2026 Illinois football season, and this kicks off the fall for the Orange and Blue. News doesn’t stop for the Illini,...

2 DAYS AGO • WRITINGILLINI.COM

Extreme heat stops Washburn-Colorado Mines before overtime, leaving game a 16-16 tie

Washburn and Colorado School of Mines ended in a rare 16-16 tie Saturday due to extreme heat in central Kansas

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Big Ten Power Rankings: Indiana On Top, Michigan Over Ohio State On Dave Portnoy's List

Michigan over Ohio State and Oregon? USC at No. 9? Dave Portnoy provided his Big Ten Power Rankings on the 2026 debut of "Big Noon Kickoff."

3 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

Big Ten Power Rankings: Indiana On Top, Michigan Over Ohio State On Dave Portnoy's List

Dave Portnoy Unveils Big Ten Power Rankings 👀 Big Noon Kickoff

Dave Portnoy Unveils Big Ten Power Rankings 👀 Big Noon Kickoff

3 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

Jordan Anderson - Participates in opener Anderson (undisclosed) notched three rushes for five yards during Thursday's 42-23 victory against UAB.

Impact Despite being limited in practice for the Fighting Illini, Anderson made his season debut Thursday. Anderson recorded just three rushes for five yards, with Ca'Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery receiving the bulk of the carries. Anderson will look to gain a bigger role for the Illini's next matchup with Duke on Sept. 12.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

UAB Blazers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Highlights 🏈 CFB on FOX

UAB Blazers vs Illinois Fighting Illini Highlights 🏈 CFB on FOX

5 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

Katin Houser throws 3 TD passes and runs for a score as Illinois beats UAB 42-23 in season opener

Katin Houser threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score in his Illinois debut as the Illini defeated UAB 42-23 on Thursday night in a season opener

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Katin Houser finds Collin Dixon for 14-yard TD to extend Illinois' lead vs. UAB

Katin Houser finds Collin Dixon for 14-yard TD to extend Illinois' lead vs. UAB

5 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

Katin Houser connects with Ty Robinson for 54-yard hail mary TD, extending Illinois' lead over UAB

Katin Houser connects with Ty Robinson for 54-yard hail mary TD, extending Illinois' lead over UAB

5 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

Ca'Lil Valentine bursts for 51-yard rushing TD, extending Illinois' lead over UAB

Ca'Lil Valentine bursts for 51-yard rushing TD, extending Illinois' lead over UAB

5 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

Katin Houser finds Collin Dixon for 18-yard TD, giving Illinois' early lead over UAB

Katin Houser finds Collin Dixon for 18-yard TD, giving Illinois' early lead over UAB

5 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

How to watch UAB vs Illinois: Live stream College Football, NCAA, TV channel The new-look Illinois Fighting Illini come off the most successful two-year stretch in program history with an almost entirely new cast as t...

5 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

How to Watch UAB vs. Illinois: TV Channel, Live Stream, Time

Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the CFB Week 1 UAB Blazers and Illinois Fighting Illini game.

5 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

How to Watch UAB vs. Illinois: TV Channel, Live Stream, Time

Illinois vs. UAB Prediction, Odds, Pick For College Football Week 1

Get the latest Illinois vs. UAB odds, prediction and pick for College Football Week 1, plus kickoff time, TV channel and streaming informati...

5 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

Illinois vs. UAB Prediction, Odds, Pick For College Football Week 1

2026 College Football Odds: Can Indiana Repeat As Big Ten Champions?

Take a look at the 2026 Big Ten Championship odds as Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon headline the loaded title race.

SEPTEMBER 1 • FOX SPORTS

2026 College Football Odds: Can Indiana Repeat As Big Ten Champions?

UAB vs. Illinois Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 1 The Illinois Fighting Illini strung together their third straight winning season under Bret Bielema in 2025, going 9-4 overall and 5-4 in Bi...

SEPTEMBER 1 • SI.COM

Ethan Moczulski - Will play vs. UAB Moczulski will play against UAB on Thursday, according to Joey Wagner of 247Sports.

Impact Head coach Bret Bielema didn't say who will open the season as the main kicker, but the fact that both Moczulski and Lucas Osada will play in Week 1 means there's no certainty about who will get the nod. Moczulski has three years of college-level experience but little in-game experience -- he has attempted just two field goals and one extra point in his career.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Osada - Will play vs UAB Osada will play in Thursday's matchup versus UAB, per Joey Wagner of 247Sports.

Impact Head coach Brett Bielema announced that both Osada and Ethan Moczulski will play in the team's season opener. Osada had spent last season at North Carolina, handling their kickoff duties.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Carson Boyd - Leads backup QB battle Boyd would be Illinois' first option at backup quarterback if Katin Houser misses only a brief stretch, Illinois coach Bret Bielema said Friday, according to Jeremy Werner of 247Sp...

Impact That puts Boyd atop the pecking order for short-term relief work, though Bielema indicated the answer could change depending on the length of any absence. Bielema added that Michael Clayton and Dane Eisenmenger also impressed in camp. Boyd's path to snaps appears tied to in-game contingency duty rather than a longer-term replacement role, though, so his fantasy impact will remain limited until further notice.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE