Good morning, Illini fans!
Here’s what you need to know today:
🏈 The Big Story
Illinois gets a bye week after dramatic Michigan State win
Illinois football snapped its two-game losing streak Saturday with a 38-37 overtime victory over Michigan State. Freshman quarterback Michael Clayton II stepped in for the injured Katin Houser and threw two touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Hudson Clement. The defense sealed the win by stopping Michigan State’s two-point conversion attempt.
The 3-3 Illini are off this
weekend before welcoming No. 13 Oregon to Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24. The game will kick off at either 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. CT, with the television network still to be determined.
🏀 Basketball season starts this weekend
The wait is nearly over. Illinois men’s basketball opens its exhibition schedule Saturday, traveling to Cincinnati for a 4 p.m. CT matchup.
Brad Underwood’s squad is coming off its first Final Four appearance in 21 years and returns a handful of rotation players from last season’s team. David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic and the Ivisic twins headline a group looking to build on last year’s success.
The Illini will have two other exhibitions before the regular season begins Nov. 2 against Fairleigh Dickinson.
🏐 Volleyball looks to bounce back
Illinois volleyball fell to No. 16 Purdue in a five-set thriller Sunday, dropping to 11-6 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play. The Illini will look to get back on track Thursday against Michigan State.
⚽ Soccer returns home
Illinois soccer is coming off a 2-1 loss to No. 10 UCLA. The Illini will host Northwestern on Sunday as they look to turn around a difficult Big Ten season.
