Chambana Sun

#17 Illinois will host #1 Ohio State at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, October 11, with kickoff scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. The game is sold out, and fans can access tickets through SeatGeek, the official ticket marketplace of Illinois Athletics.

The matchup marks the annual "Hail to the Orange Out" and will be broadcast nationally on FOX. Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), and Jenny Taft (reporter) will provide television coverage. Radio coverage will be available via the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network, with Brian Barnhart, Carey Davis, and Michael Martin calling the game.

Illinois (5-1 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) and Ohio State (5-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) are set to compete for the Illibuck Trophy. The trophy originated in 1924 as a live turtle but was replaced by wooden replicas after the original died in 1926. The current version is known as Illibuck XI.

This meeting is notable as it is the first Illibuck matchup since 2017 and Ohio State's first visit to Champaign since 2015. Ohio State has won nine consecutive games in this series since Illinois defeated them in an upset over then #1-ranked Ohio State in 2007.

FOX's Big Noon Kickoff pregame show returns to Champaign for the second time this season. The show will air live from Grange Grove from 9–11 a.m. CT and features Rob Stone; analysts Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer, Brady Quinn; Barstool's Dave Portnoy; Chris "The Bear" Fallica; and reporter Tom Rinaldi. Admission to the area is free with giveaways planned throughout the morning.

Preceding Big Noon Kickoff is The Barstool College Football Show at 8 a.m. CT in Grange Grove.

Illinois will also celebrate its Hall of Fame Weekend during this event. Eleven new members will be inducted into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Friday at State Farm Center. Among those honored from football are Kurt Kittner and Joe Rutgens.

Head coach Bret Bielema will hold his weekly press conference on Monday at 1 p.m. CT, which fans can watch for free online at FightingIllini.com/live.

Saturday’s contest marks several milestones:

- It is the first ranked-vs.-ranked matchup between Illinois and Ohio State since 2001.

- Illinois hosts a #1-ranked team for just the eleventh time in program history.

- This is also the first time since 1950 that a ranked Illinois team hosts a #1 opponent.

- The last time Illinois played against a #1 team was last season versus Oregon.

- Last year, Illinois defeated defending national champion Michigan at home during their stadium rededication game.

In recent seasons, Illinois has seen success:

- They have gone 15-4 over two years with nine wins in their last ten games.

- They have been ranked in twelve straight AP Top 25 polls.

- Quarterback Luke Altmyer ranks among national leaders in passing categories without throwing an interception this season.

- Wide receiver Hank Beatty has achieved touchdowns via passing, rushing, receiving, and punt return—an accomplishment not seen in the Big Ten since 2003.

- Defensively, Illinois leads all teams nationally in fumble recoveries and ranks highly in forced fumbles and sacks.

- Special teams highlight kicker David Olano’s streak of ten consecutive made field goals.

The Illibuck rivalry dates back to 1902 overall (officially beginning with the trophy presentation in 1924), making it one of college football’s oldest trophy rivalries. Ohio State leads both the overall series (69–30–4) and trophy games (65–24–2). The programs met annually from 1914 to 2002 and regularly thereafter except for interruptions such as COVID-related cancellations.

Illinois’ last win over Ohio State came in their famous upset victory against a top-ranked Buckeyes squad in Columbus during the 2007 season—a win that ended multiple OSU streaks.

For more information about tickets or gameday details visit SeatGeek or illinois.statbroadcast.com for live stats.