University of Illinois
Nebraska
November 2, 2026 | Football
PREVIEW
| Illinois (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) vs. Nebraska (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) | |
|---|---|
| Date | Time | Friday, Nov. 6 | 7 p.m. CT |
| Location | Champaign, Illinois (Gies Memorial Stadium) |
| Tickets | Limited Remain at FightingIllini.com |
| TV | FOX |
| Radio | Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Listen | SiriusXM (132/231) | SXM App |
| Live Stats | illinois.statbroadcast.com |
| Illinois | Game Notes |
| Nebraska | Huskers.com |
| Shop | Fighting Illini Store |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
| App | Fighting Illini App |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After a walk-off win at Maryland, the Illinois football team is back home to host Nebraska on Friday night for Dads Day and "Hail to the Blue Out" at Gies Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
Illinois (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) is riding a three-game winning streak into the primetime matchup, the second-longest active winning streak in the Big Ten. Only undefeated UCLA has won more consecutive Big Ten games than Illinois.
Limited tickets are available at fightingillini.com/tickets for Dads Day, a proud 100+-year Illinois tradition of the Dads Association. Dads Day began in 1920 and a "King Dad" will once again be crowned at Friday's game.
Illini fans are encouraged to wear blue, as the Illini host its first blue out under the lights.
Jack Kizer (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst) have the the national television broadcast on FOX. The Busey Bank Illini Sports Network has the state-wide radio call with Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), and Kevin Mitchell (sideline).
Notes
Illini Host Nebraska for Dads Day on Friday Night
• Continuing the proud 100+-year Illinois tradition of the Dads Association, which began in 1920, Friday's game is marked as Dads Day, honoring the dads of all Fighting Illini. A "King Dad" will be crowned.
• Along with the annual Dads Day celebration, Illinois will host its first "Hail to the Blue Out."
• Illinois is on a three-game Big Ten winning streak after victories over Michigan State, Oregon, and Maryland. Only undefeated UCLA is on a longer winning streak in the Big Ten.
Gies Memorial Stadium
• Illinois is 15-4 at Gies Memorial Stadium over the last three seasons (2024-26).
• Illinois ranks 18th in the nation and fifth in the Big Ten in home wins since 2024 (15).
Illinois Offense Notes
• WR Collin Dixon is one of the top wide receivers in the nation:
» One of only five players in the nation to rank in the top 12 in receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, along with Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Malachi Toney (Miami), Umari Hatcher (Syracuse), and Easton Messer (FAU)
» Fourth in the nation in receiving touchdowns (10), behind Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, Oregon State's Jesse Legree, and Miami's Malachi Toney
» Tied Illinois' single-season record with 10 receiving touchdowns this season
» Seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in receptions (60)
» 11th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in receiving yards (781)
• QB Katin Houser ranks 24th in the nation in ESPN's QBR metric (77.5).
• Illinois running backs have three touchdown rushes over 60 yards this season: Aidan Laughery has two and Javari Barnett has one. Both of Laughery's are over 75 yards.
• Laughery has 100+-yard games against two ranked opponents - Ohio State (113) and Oregon (123). He ran for 113 yards at Ohio State, the first opposing player to rush for 100+ at Ohio Stadium since Michigan's Kalel Mullings (116 yards) on Nov. 30, 2024.
• Barnett had a career-high 80 yards on six carries at Maryland, including a game-changing 64-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. It is the longest touchdown run by a Big Ten freshman this season.
• Illinois' offensive line ranks ninth in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.13 per game) and 13th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.00 per game).
Illinois Defense Notes
• The Illini defense allowed just three points and 99 yards of offense over the final 26:10 of the win at Maryland.
• DB Matthew Bailey is the only player in the nation returning after leading his team in tackles in 2024 and 2025. Bailey is Illinois' leading tackler again this season with 55, including a career-high 14 at Ohio State.
• DL Will Holmes' 26 pressures ranks sixth in the Big Ten, according to PFF.
• CB Juice Clarke ranks sixth in the nation and is tied for the Big Ten lead in pass breakups (9). He is tied for the Big Ten lead with Audavion Collins of Penn State.
