After 247 days since their last game of the 2025 season, the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign football team kicked off the new season with a dominant win against the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers. As fans celebrated, the stadium was flooded with an orange glow as the night sky was illuminated by the debut of the largest videoboard in college football.
The final result saw the Illini beat the Blazers 42 to 23, led by transfer quarterback Katin Houser.
First Half
Right from kickoff, the Illini set the tone, forcing a 4th down right off the bat. The debut of Illinois’ new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck sent the pressure to the Blazers quarterback. A sack by fifth-year linebacker Ean Rhea allowed the Illini to have a 65-yard punt return to start the first offensive drive of the game. Illinois would cap off the great field position with an 18-yard touchdown pass from 5th-year transfer quarterback Katin Houser to senior receiver Collin Dixon.
The start of a new era of Illini football.
As the game began to settle down, Illinois started to focus on its running game. The Illini would accumulate 90 rushing yards in the first half after a 51-yard rushing touchdown by junior running back Ca’lil Valentine.
Right before halftime, UAB marched 50 yards to score a ten-yard touchdown to get within one point. But with 13 seconds remaining, Illinois had a chance to end the half on a high note.
Entering the final play, Houser uncorked a 54-yard heave to the end zone with no time left. As the ball sailed to the end zone, it landed right into the Blazers’ defense hands, but they could not gain control. After the ball was bobbled in the air, Illinois receiver Ty Robinson came down with the ball, successfully completing the Hail Mary.
Illinois would go into halftime with an eight-point lead and momentum after a slow first half.
Second Half
Illinois started with the ball in the second half and wasted no time making its way down the field. Houser took command of the offense as he led the Illini to the end zone before connecting with Dixon once again to take a two-touchdown lead.
Once the fourth quarter began, Illinois started to chew as much clock as they could. Houser and the offense took off six minutes before Houser would run in another touchdown on the night. The defense would later get in on some of the action with an interception leading to a touchdown by Illinois linebacker Ismael Kante.
Player of the Game
Katin Houser started off the night slow, only attempting two passes in the first quarter. Once Illinois began to get settled into the game, Houser began to take control of the game. His experience from Eastern Carolina and Michigan State carried over and helped Illinois get out of tough situations and complete its drives.
Houser ended his night with 182 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and added a rushing touchdown to his Illini debut.
Up Next
The Fighting Illini Football team will continue their home stand at Gies Memorial Stadium and will take on Duke University next Saturday at 2:30 pm.