2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Last updated

2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football
Illinois Fighting Illini logo.svg
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 9
APNo. 9
Record2–0 (0–0 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. (4th season)
Defensive coordinator Aaron Henry (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinator Terrance Jamison (3rd season)
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 9 Illinois  0 0   2 0  
No. 22 Indiana  0 0   2 0  
Maryland  0 0   2 0  
Michigan State  0 0   2 0  
Minnesota  0 0   2 0  
Nebraska  0 0   2 0  
No. 1 Ohio State  0 0   2 0  
No. 4 Oregon  0 0   2 0  
No. 2 Penn State  0 0   2 0  
Purdue  0 0   2 0  
Rutgers  0 0   2 0  
USC  0 0   2 0  
Washington  0 0   2 0  
Wisconsin  0 0   2 0  
Iowa  0 0   1 1  
No. 23 Michigan  0 0   1 1  
Northwestern  0 0   1 1  
UCLA  0 0   0 2  
Championship: December 6, 2025
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
As of September 8, 2025
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represents the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema, the Fighting Illini play home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Contents

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

PlayerPositionDestination
Declan DuleyP Central Michigan
Morrison GiggettsWR Chicago
Zylon CrislerIOL Colorado
Ronan PoyntonLB Drake
Demetrius HillS FIU
Kenari WilcherWR Florida A&M
Enyce SledgeDL Florida Atlantic
Steven Scott IIIOT Fresno State
Josh McCray RB Georgia
Cal SwansonQB Holy Cross
Nick TrueTE Illinois State
Alex BrayDE Kansas
Henry BoyerTE Kentucky
Joep EngbersIOL Liberty
Fabrizio PintonK McNeese
Weston AdamsWR Montana
Chase CanadaCB North Texas
Zach AamlandOL Rutgers
Blayne SissonDB Southern Illinois
Donovan LearyQB Tulane
Carlos Orr-GillespieWR Utah State
Nate GuinnTE Utah Tech
Kevin Wigenton IIOL Virginia
Ethan MoczulskiK Washington
Hunter WhitenackOL Western Michigan
Jake HuberQBUnknown
Kirkland MichauxQBUnknown
Hugh RobertsonPUnknown
Jake FurtneyTEWithdrawn
Tyler StrainDBWithdrawn

Incoming

PlayerPositionPrevious school
Christian AbneyTE Ball State
Justin BowickWR Ball State
Eli CoenenDL Bemidji State
Tomiwa DurojaiyeDL Florida State
Ayden KnapikOL Idaho
Nathan KnapikOT Idaho
Lucas OsadaK North Carolina
Ethan Hampton QB Northern Illinois
Carter HewittDL Northern Iowa
Keelan CrimminsP Purdue
Davin StoffelTE South Dakota State
Tyler McMillanOL Southeast Missouri State
Lars RauP Texas State
Murphy ClementRB West Virginia
Hudson Clement WR West Virginia
Leon Lowery Jr.DE Wisconsin
James Thompson Jr.DL Wisconsin
Curt NealDL Wisconsin

[1] [2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 296:30 p.m. Western Illinois *No. 12 Peacock W 52–356,040
September 611:00 a.m.at Duke *No. 11 ESPN W 45–1923,893
September 136:00 p.m. Western Michigan *No. 9
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
FS1
September 206:30 p.m.at Indiana NBC
September 27 USC Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
October 4at Purdue
October 11 Ohio State
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (Illibuck)
October 25at Washington
November 1 Rutgers
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
November 15 Maryland
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
November 22at Wisconsin
November 29 Northwestern
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (rivalry)
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll - Released prior to game
  • All times are in Central time

[3] [4]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP 12119
Coaches 12129
CFP Not releasedNot released

Game summaries

vs Western Illinois (FCS)

Pregame lineOver/under
ILL –48.563.5 [5]
Western Illinois Leathernecks (FCS) (0–0) vs No. 12 Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Leathernecks (FCS)00033
No. 12 Fighting Illini141771452

at Memorial StadiumChampaign, Illinois

  • Date: August 29
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Wind: SW at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 56,040
  • Referee: Andrew Speciale
  • TV announcers (Peacock): Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Phil Simms (analyst), and Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • (6:43) Illinois – Luke Altmyer 3-yard pass to Tanner Arkin (David Olano kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 4:14; Illinois 7–0)
  • (3:48) Illinois – Luke Altmyer 3-yard pass to Justin Bowick (David Olano kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 2:48; Illinois 14–0)
Second quarter
  • (13:20) Illinois – Aidan Laughery 25-yard rush (David Olano kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:43; Illinois 21–0)
  • (7:54) Illinois – David Olano 35-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:25; Illinois 24–0)
  • (3:09) Illinois – Luke Altmyer 13-yard pass to Justin Bowick (David Olano kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 62 yards, 2:34; Illinois 31–0)
Third quarter
  • (8:00) Illinois – Hank Beatty 69-yard punt return (David Olano kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 1 yard, 2:13; Illinois 38–0)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:57) Western Illinois – Antonio Chadha 20-yard field goal (Drive: 16 plays, 73 yards, 8:03; Illinois 38–3)
  • (8:27) Illinois – Kaden Feagin 7-yard rush (David Olano kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:30; Illinois 45–3)
  • (5:27) Illinois – Aidan Laughery 57-yard rush (David Olano kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:55; Illinois 52–3)
StatisticsWIUILL
First downs1121
Plays–yards56–16361–440
Rushes–yards26–2937–209
Passing yards134231
Passing: compattint14–29–018–22–0
Time of possession27:1832:42
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western IllinoisPassingChris Irvin14/29, 134 yards
RushingMarkell Holman12 rushes, 20 yards
ReceivingDemari Davis4 receptions, 65 yards
IllinoisPassing Luke Altmyer 17/21, 217 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Aidan Laughery 9 rushes, 101 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Hank Beatty 5 receptions, 108 yards

at Duke

Pregame lineOver/under
No. 11 Illinois Fighting Illini (1–0) at Duke Blue Devils (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 11 Fighting Illini77141745
Blue Devils3106019

at Wallace Wade StadiumDurham, North Carolina

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), and Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILLDUKE
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IllinoisPassing Luke Altmyer 22/31, 296 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Kaden Feagin 17 rushes, 48 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Hank Beatty 8 receptions, 128 yards
DukePassing Darian Mensah 23/24, 234 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jaquez Moore 6 rushes, 30 yards
Receiving Cooper Barkate 4 receptions, 88 yards

vs Western Michigan

Pregame lineOver/under
Western Michigan Broncos (0–2) vs No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (2–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Broncos0
No. 9 Fighting Illini0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (FS1):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWMUILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Indiana

Pregame lineOver/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Indiana Hoosiers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Fighting Illini0
Hoosiers0

at Memorial StadiumBloomington, Indiana

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILLIU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IndianaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs USC

Pregame lineOver/under
USC Trojans (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Trojans0
Fighting Illini0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUSCILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
USCPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Purdue

Pregame lineOver/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Fighting Illini0
Boilermakers0

at Ross–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, Indiana

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILLPUR
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
PurduePassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Ohio State

Pregame lineOver/under
Ohio State Buckeyes (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Buckeyes0
Fighting Illini0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsOSUILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ohio StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Washington

Pregame lineOver/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Washington Huskies (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Fighting Illini0
Huskies0

at Husky StadiumSeattle, Washington

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILLWASH
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
WashingtonPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Rutgers

Pregame lineOver/under
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Scarlet Knights0
Fighting Illini0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsRUTGILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
RutgersPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Maryland

Pregame lineOver/under
Maryland Terrapins (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Terrapins0
Fighting Illini0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsMDILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MarylandPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Wisconsin

Pregame lineOver/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Wisconsin Badgers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Fighting Illini0
Badgers0

at Camp Randall StadiumMadison, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsILLWISC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving
WisconsinPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Northwestern

Pregame lineOver/under
Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Fighting Illini0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNUILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Roster

2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 0Justin BowickJr
WR 1Mario Sanders IIJr
WR 2Ashton Hollins Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 3 Kaden Feagin Jr
QB 4Carson BoydFr
RB 5Ca'lil ValentineSo
WR 7Alexander Capka-JonesSr
WR 8Malik ElzyJr
QB 9 Luke Altmyer Sr
QB 10 Ethan Hampton Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 11Brayden TrimbleFr
QB 12Trey Petty Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 13 Hudson Clement Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 14Cole RuskSr
QB 15Jershaun NewtonFr
TE 16Logan FarrellFr
WR 17Collin Dixon Redshirt.svg  So
WR 18Michael BartolottaSr
RB 20John ForsterFr
RB 21 Aidan Laughery Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 22Cedric Wyche IIFr
TE 23Jordan Anderson Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 25Aaron Ball Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 27Corey Rashad Redshirt.svg  So
RB 31Murphy Clement Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 39Trey PetersFr
OL 54Griffin RousseauFr
OL 55T. J. McMillen Redshirt.svg  So
OL 56JJ HirdesFr
OL 57Zach Barrett Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 58Melvin PriestlySr
OL 63Dezmond SchusterSr
OL 64Josh KruetzSr
OL 65Kellen Francis Redshirt.svg  So
OL 66Brandon HansenSo
OL 68Michael McDonoughFr
OL 70Tyler McMillan Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 71Nathan Knapik Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 72Ayden KnapikSr
OL 73Josh GeskySr
OL 74J. C. Davis Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 75Brandon HendersonJr
OL 76Dylan FrechetteFr
OL 78Eddie Tuerk Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 79Zafir Stewart Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 80 Hank Beatty Sr
TE 82Jake Furtney Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 83Tysean Griffin Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 84Grant SmithFr
TE 85 Tanner Arkin Sr
TE 86Christian AbneyJr
WR 87Tyler McClureSr
TE 88Davin Stoffel Redshirt.svg  So
TE 89Tanner Hollinger Redshirt.svg  Fr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 0Mac ResetichJr
DB 1Kaleb Patterson Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 2Saboor KarriemJr
OLB 3Alec BryantSr
OLB 4Daniel Brown Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 5Torrie Cox Jr.Sr
DB 6Jaheim ClarkeJr
DB 7Matthew Bailey Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 8Jeremiah Warren Redshirt.svg  So
OLB 9Leon Lowery Jr.Sr
DB 10Miles ScottSr
DB 11Donovan TurnerJr
DB 12Amar Reynolds Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 13Xanai ScottFr
DB 14Xavier ScottSr
DB 15Andre Lovett Jr.Fr
DB 16Tanner HeckelSo
OLB 17 Gabe Jacas Sr
OLB 18Mason Muragin Redshirt.svg  So
DB 19Tyson Rooks Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 20Tyler StrainSr
DB 21Ben Clawson Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 22RJ Jones IIIFr
DB 24Vernon Woodward III Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 25Des StraughtonFr
OLB 26Ismael KanteJr
LB 28 Dylan Rosiek Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 29T. J. Griffin Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 30JoJo Hayden Redshirt.svg  So
DB 32Tywan CoxFr
LB 33Grant BeermanFr
OLB 34Erik GayleFr
DB 35Grayson Griffin Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 36Tomiwa Durojaiye Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 38Jack ParisFr
LB 39Kenenna OdelugaSr
LB 41James Kruetz Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 42Luke Zardzin Redshirt.svg  Sr
OLB 43Joe BarnaSo
DL 44Angelo McCullomSo
LB 45Malachi Hood Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 47Easton Baker Redshirt.svg  Fr
OLB 48Carter Smith Redshirt.svg  Fr
OLB 51Clayton Leonard Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 52Pat Farrell Redshirt.svg  So
DL 54Demetrius John Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 56Guillermo Gallardo Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 90James Thompson Jr. Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 91Cameron BrooksFr
DL 92Gentle Hunt Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 94Carter Hewitt Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 95Isaiah WhiteFr
DL 96Eli Coenen Redshirt.svg  So
DL 99Curt Neal Redshirt.svg  Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 24David OlanoJr
K/P 27Lucas OsadaSo
LS 36Lane HansenSr
P 40Keelan CrimminsSr
LS 44Patrick Mahoney III Redshirt.svg  So
P 81Lars RauSo
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Barry Lunney Jr.Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Aaron HenryDefensive coordinator/secondary
  • Terrance JamisonCo-defensive coordinator/Defensive line
  • Robby Discher – Special teams coordinator/Tight ends
  • Archie McDaniel – Linebackers
  • Bart Miller – Offensive line
  • Corey Parker – Defensive backs
  • Justin Stepp – Wide receivers
  • Thad Ward – Running backs/Assistant head coach
  • Trent HarrisOutside linebackers
  • Ben MillerSenior head coach analyst
  • Myers HendricksonSenior analyst
  • Mike NeuSenior offensive assistant
  • Joe Kim – Skill development coordinator
  • Chris HurdSenior special teams assistant
  • Alex Panos – Co-outside linebackers
  • Artur SitkowskiCo-quarterbacks
  • Byron BellAssistant offensive line
  • Danny Cameron – Assistant tight ends
  • Matt Ellerbrock – Assistant linebackers
  • Dan Ellington – Assistant wide receivers
  • Houston Griffith – Assistant defensive backs
  • Antonio James – Assistant defensive line
  • Ryan Simerson – Assistant secondary
  • James WhiteAssistant running backs
  • Harper Cole – Offensive skill and special teams assistant
  • Blake Smithback – Offensive front assistant
  • Tank Wright – Director, Strength and Conditioning
  • GC Yerry – Associate Director, Strength and Conditioning
  • Matt Manninger – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
  • Nick Elicone – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
  • Tyler Mayo – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 9/1/2025

References

  1. "Illinois Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
  2. "Illinois Fighting Illini 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
  3. Neveau, James (December 11, 2024). "Illinois football schedule 2025 set as Illini will battle Ohio State, Indiana". NBC5.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  4. "2025 Illinois Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  5. "NCAAF - Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Illinois Fighting Illini". Odds Shark. August 30, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.