Happy Tuesday! Here’s what you need to know today:
🏈 The big story
Illinois football is officially in game week.
The Illini open the 2026 season Thursday night against UAB at Gies Memorial Stadium. Katin Houser will make his Illinois debut at quarterback, while Bobby Hauck’s new-look defense gets its first test. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
🏐 Volleyball faces big test
Illinois volleyball gets its first major challenge of the season Tuesday night, traveling to Knoxville to face No. 22 Tennessee in the inaugural Big Ten/SEC
Volleyball Challenge.
The Illini are coming off their first win of the season, a 3-0 sweep of Syracuse on Sunday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
🏈 27 Illini make NFL rosters
Twenty-seven former Illinois players made initial 53-man NFL rosters, according to Illinois Athletics. Devon Witherspoon, Isaiah Adams, Tony Adams, Nick Allegretti and several other former Illini are among those on active rosters heading into the 2026 season.
A note: Luke Altmyer, who was waived by the Lions over the weekend, is on Detroit’s practice squad.
⚽ Soccer
Illinois remains unbeaten at 1-0-3 after Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Saint Louis. The Illini return to action Thursday at Western Michigan at 6 p.m. CT.
📅 What’s next
🏐 Tuesday: Illinois at No. 22 Tennessee — 6 p.m. CT
⚽ Thursday: Illinois at Western Michigan — 6 p.m. CT
🏈 Thursday: Illinois vs. UAB — 8 p.m. CT
🏐 Saturday: Illinois vs. McNeese State — 1 p.m. CT
