No. 12 Illinois a heavy favorite against Western Illinois in season opener

FILE - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, center, talks with an official during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File(

August 28, 2025 - 7:55 AM

Western Illinois at No. 12 Illinois, Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT.

BetMGM College Football Odds: Illinois by 45 1/2.

How to watch: Peacock

Key stats

Illinois (2024)

Overall offense: 364.8 yards per game (92nd in FBS)

Passing: 211.2 yards per game (86th)

Rushing: 153.6 yards per game (97th)

Scoring: 28.3 points per game (64th)

Overall defense: 373.2 yards allowed per game (68th in FBS)

Passing: 224.8 yards allowed per game (78th)

Rushing: 148.4 yards allowed per game (65th)

Scoring: 21.6 points allowed per game (31st)

Western Illinois (2024)

Overall offense: 427.5 yards per game (16th in FCS)

Passing: 304.3 yards per game (6th)

Rushing: 123.2 yards per game (93rd)

Scoring: 31.0 points per game (25th)

Overall defense: 492.8 yards per game (120th in FCS)

Passing: 263.4 yards per game (113th)

Rushing: 229.3 yards per game (116th)

Scoring: 42.9 points per game (121st)

Team leaders

Illinois (2024)

Passing: Luke Altmyer, 2,717 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs.

Rushing: Aidan Laughery, 589 yards on 97 carries, 4 TDs.

Receiving: Hank Beatty, 294 yards on 20 catches, 1 TD.

Western Illinois (2024)

Passing: Chris Irvin, 17 for 29, 174 yards, 3 TDs

Rushing: Demari Davis, 33 yards on 4 carries, 1 TD

Receiving: Davis, 363 yards on 19 catches, 3 TDs

Last game

Illinois defeated South Carolina 21-17 at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl for its team record-tying 10th win of the season.

Western Illinois beat Gardner-Webb 45-28 to end a four-game losing streak.

Next game

Illinois plays Sept. 6 at Duke. Western Illinois plays Sept. 5 at Northwestern.

___

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News from © The Associated Press, 2025

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