09/19/2026
CHAMPAIGN — Big plays dominated Thursday night for Illinois football en route to a 42-23 win against UAB>A night that improved the Illini to 6-0 in season openers during the Bret Bielema era.But Bielema and his staff will have plenty to pick apart in the next week before Illinois (1-0) hosts Duke at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 12. The announced crowd of 52,673 witnessed the debut of the largest scoreboard in college football situated in the horseshoe at Gies Memorial Stadium and witnessed the debut of a new Illinois defensive scheme.The scoreboard dazzled with its lights, features and overall size. The defense? The verdict is still out on Bobby Hauck's 3-3-5 look, even with Ismael Kante's 59-yard touchdown on an interception return in the fourth quarter sealing the Illini win."We had so many new things and new faces coming into today," Bielema said.
Bielema on season-opening win: 'We saw some flashes in all three phases'