Illinois football hosts Central Michigan at Memorial Stadium

By Elizabeth Hess September 16, 2024 9:30 am

Coach Bielema leads a team ranked #25 in the College Football Playoff Top 25. — Chambana TodayIllinois hopes to build on its record with a win over Central Michigan this weekend. CanvaPro

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois football is coming off a 23-17 victory over Kansas in front of a sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium last week. The team will try to increase their winning streak to 3-0 against Central Michigan this week.

Off to a 2-0 start, Illinois’ quarterback, Luke Altmyer, completed 71.4 percent his passes and has thrown for 405 yards and four touchdowns in the first two games. This will be the last of three non-conference home games for Illinois before it opens Big Ten play at Nebraska on September 20.

Defensive back Xavier Scott was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and earned national Defensive Player of the Week honors. He had two interceptions, one for a touchdown, a forced fumble, a sack and eight tackles against Kansas.

Illinois is tied for the national lead in turnovers (8) and is second in interceptions (5) and fumble recoveries (3). Illinois hasn’t started 2-0 since 2019. The last time it opened the season with three straight victories was 2011.