Chambana Sun

After a second bye week, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini football team will return to Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, November 15, to face the Maryland Terrapins. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and will be broadcast nationally on FS1.

This matchup marks Illinois' annual Military Appreciation Game. Nearly 2,000 tickets have been distributed to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families through service organizations. The event will feature several military-themed activities, including a special coin toss with a coin representing all military branches, ROTC cadets rappelling off the stadium during the Illini Walk, and an Army swearing-in ceremony during the first timeout of the first quarter.

Head coach Bret Bielema initiated a campaign announced on July 3 to match tickets purchased by fans for donation to service members and supporting organizations via VetTix. Over 1,300 tickets were distributed through this campaign, with more than 350 additional tickets claimed by University of Illinois campus groups.

"Over 1,300 tickets were distributed through Bielema's campaign, then another 350+ Military Appreciation Game tickets were claimed through University of Illinois campus groups."

Illinois enters the game with a record of 6-3 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play. The team has achieved postseason eligibility in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2010-11 and three times in four years for the first time since 1991-94. Under Coach Bielema’s leadership over five seasons, Illinois has secured its highest number of Big Ten wins in any five-year span since the early 1990s.

The Illini are also experiencing increased fan attendance this season. The program is projected to surpass 400,000 total attendees for only the sixth time in its history and for the first time since 1994. Season ticket sales have sold out for the first time in at least two decades.

Limited tickets remain available for Saturday’s game against Maryland.

On offense, Illinois has shown consistent improvement under offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., now averaging a program-high 33.1 points per game this season. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has led Illinois to a 20-11 record as starter—the third-most wins by any quarterback in school history.

Maryland comes into Saturday’s contest with a record of 4-5 overall and is led by freshman quarterback Malik Washington. Washington is one of only three Power Conference true freshmen since 2000 to pass for at least 200 yards in each of his first six career games.

The radio broadcast will be available on Busey Bank Illini Sports Network with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Michael Martin (sideline). Fans can access live stats at illinois.statbroadcast.com.

Coach Bret Bielema will hold his weekly press conference Monday at 1 p.m. CT; it can be viewed free at FightingIllini.com/live.