CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois Football will host its second game of the season on Saturday, when #19 Kansas visits Memorial Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 6 p.m. in front of a sold-out audience.
Illinois beat Eastern Illinois, 45-0, in the team’s season opener. Kansas easily defeated Lindenwood with a 48-3 win in its season opener last weekend. Kansas finished the 2023 season with a 9-4 record and a win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, 49-36.
Illini head coach Bret Bielema talked about how they are preparing for a ranked opponent. “We saw great things out of the quarterback, and we are working on keeping that momentum going with Kansas. We know Kansas has a solid team on both sides of the ball, so we have been preparing our team to counter their strength and ability.”
One reason the tickets are sold out is it is the first ever FamILLy Weekend at Memorial Stadium. Tailgate with parents, family members, and friends. Families are encouraged to wear orange to Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
College Football Hall of Famer and Butkus Award Winner Dana Howard will sound the Illini air raid siren right before kickoff. “Illini Hour” is returning to Memorial Stadium. From 4:30-5:30 p.m., all hot dogs, non-alcoholic beverages (excluding souvenir cups), and Carbliss and Nutrl seltzers are just $3, and 24-ounce domestic beers will be $7.
Between the third and fourth quarters, an Illinois student will race Red Grange inside the hashes of Zuppke Field at Memorial Stadium. Fans can interact and take photos with Red Grange inside Grange Grove on game days beginning three hours prior to kickoff.