CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois football hosts its last game of the opening homestand Saturday when they host Central Michigan at Memorial Stadium. Illinois and Central Michigan will square off for the first time in program history. The Homecoming game kicks off at 11 a.m.
The Illini squad are currently 2-0 on the season, after beating Kansas, 23-27 last week in front of a sold-out crowd. Central Michigan’s coach, Jim McElwain, has guided CMU to two bowl games and one trip to the MAC Championship Game in his six-year tenure as head coach.
As part of the team’s season-long celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Memorial Stadium, Illinois will wear “Arched Illini” helmets on Saturday. The team wore these helmets from 1971-87. Facemasks, helmet stripes, and decal sizing varied throughout that era. The 2024 edition will feature gray facemasks and a blue-white-orange-white-blue center stripe accents.
An Illini celebrity will sound the Illini air raid siren right before kickoff. This week’s sounder is University of Illinois Chancellor Robert J. Jones.