Don't worry, fans won't have to stay up quite as late next weekend as the Oregon Ducks hit the road for the first time in nearly a month. The Ducks will fly to the Midwest to face Illinois next week, and the game will be played in natural sunlight, rather than the dark Eugene sky from Oregon's win against Nebraska.
Oregon and Illinois will kick off at noon PT from Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign next weekend. The game will air live on Big Ten Network. The Ducks and Illini last met in 2024, when Dillon Gabriel led a 38-9 rout in Autzen Stadium.
Illinois didn't play this past week, instead using the bye week to work in a new quarterback. Katin Houser, who has started every game for the Illini this season, is dealing with a broken left hand. Michael
Clayton II stepped in for Houser and led the Illini to an overtime win against Michigan State heading into the bye week. Now, the freshman quarterback will have the opportunity to make his first start against the Ducks' defense.
Oregon isn't out of the woods at quarterback either. Dylan Raiola played the hero in the fourth quarter against Nebraska to secure the victory after Brock Thomas struggled, but the week prior against UCLA, it was Raiola who couldn't move the ball and Thomas who nearly led the comeback. Dan Lanning noted after the game that the competition between the two will continue this week in practice, and one will start again if Dante Moore remains unavailable.
Since joining the Big Ten before the 2024 season, the Ducks have thrived on the road in conference play. Oregon has yet to lose a Big Ten road game in its third season in the conference under Lanning. Despite the offense's struggles recently, a matchup against an Illinois defense that has already relieved its defensive coordinator of his duties could be the perfect opportunity to get right before the toughest part of the schedule.
Oregon and Illinois will meet on Oct. 24 and play at noon PT (3 p.m. ET), with the game airing live on Big Ten Network.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon set for afternoon kick on the road vs. Illinois in Week 8
