2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 12
APNo. 12
Record0–0 (0–0 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBarry Lunney Jr. (4th season)
Defensive coordinatorAaron Henry (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorTerrance Jamison (3rd season)
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
2025 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 12   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 20 Indiana   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Iowa   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Maryland   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 14 Michigan   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Michigan State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Minnesota   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Nebraska   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Northwestern   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 3 Ohio State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 7 Oregon   0 – 0     0 – 0  
No. 2 Penn State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Purdue   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Rutgers   0 – 0     0 – 0  
UCLA   0 – 0     0 – 0  
USC   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Washington   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Wisconsin   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Championship: December 6, 2025
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
As of August 19, 2025
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team will represent the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema, the Fighting Illini play home games at Memorial Stadiumin Champaign, Illinois.

Offseason

Transfers

Outgoing

Player Position Destination
Declan Duley P Central Michigan
Morrison Giggetts WR Chicago
Zylon Crisler IOL Colorado
Ronan Poynton LB Drake
Demetrius Hill S FIU
Kenari Wilcher WR Florida A&M
Enyce Sledge DL Florida Atlantic
Steven Scott III OT Fresno State
Josh McCray RB Georgia
Cal Swanson QB Holy Cross
Nick True TE Illinois State
Alex Bray DE Kansas
Henry Boyer TE Kentucky
Joep Engbers IOL Liberty
Fabrizio Pinton K McNeese
Weston Adams WR Montana
Chase Canada CB North Texas
Zach Aamland OL Rutgers
Blayne Sisson DB Southern Illinois
Donovan Leary QB Tulane
Carlos Orr-Gillespie WR Utah State
Nate Guinn TE Utah Tech
Kevin Wigenton II OL Virginia
Ethan Moczulski K Washington
Hunter Whitenack OL Western Michigan
Jake Huber QB Unknown
Kirkland Michaux QB Unknown
Hugh Robertson P Unknown
Jake Furtney TE Withdrawn
Tyler Strain DB Withdrawn

Incoming

Player Position Previous school
Christian Abney TE Ball State
Justin Bowick WR Ball State
Eli Coenen DL Bemidji State
Tomiwa Durojaiye DL Florida State
Ayden Knapik OL Idaho
Nathan Knapik OT Idaho
Lucas Osada K North Carolina
Ethan Hampton QB Northern Illinois
Carter Hewitt DL Northern Iowa
Keelan Crimmins P Purdue
Davin Stoffel TE South Dakota State
Tyler McMillan OL Southeast Missouri State
Lars Rau P Texas State
Murphy Clement RB West Virginia
Hudson Clement WR West Virginia
Leon Lowery Jr. DE Wisconsin
James Thompson Jr. DL Wisconsin
Curt Neal DL Wisconsin

[1][2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResult
August 296:30 p.m.Western Illinois*No. 12
Peacock
September 611:00 a.m.at Duke*
ABC or ESPN
September 136:00 p.m.Western Michigan*
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
FS1
September 20at Indiana
September 27USCdagger
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
October 4at Purdue
October 11Ohio State
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (Illibuck)
October 25at Washington
November 1Rutgers
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
November 15Maryland
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL
November 22at Wisconsin
November 29Northwestern
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Champaign, IL (rivalry)
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll - Released prior to game
  • All times are in Central time

[3][4]

Rankings

Further information: 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP12
Coaches12
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

vs Western Illinois

See also: 2025 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team
Pregame line Over/under
Western Illinois Leathernecks (0–0) vs No. 12 Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Leathernecks 0
No. 12 Fighting Illini 0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: August 29
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (Peacock):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WIU ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Duke

See also: 2025 Duke Blue Devils football team
Pregame line Over/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Duke Blue Devils (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Fighting Illini 0
Blue Devils 0

at Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, North Carolina

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ABC/ESPN):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ILL DUKE
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Duke Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Western Michigan

See also: 2025 Western Michigan Broncos football team
Pregame line Over/under
Western Michigan Broncos (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Broncos 0
Fighting Illini 0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (FS1):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics WMU ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Michigan Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Indiana

See also: 2025 Indiana Hoosiers football team and Illinois–Indiana rivalry
Pregame line Over/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Indiana Hoosiers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Fighting Illini 0
Hoosiers 0

at Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, Indiana

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ILL IU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Indiana Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs USC

See also: 2025 USC Trojans football team
Pregame line Over/under
USC Trojans (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Trojans 0
Fighting Illini 0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics USC ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
USC Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Purdue

See also: 2025 Purdue Boilermakers football team and Illinois–Purdue football rivalry
Pregame line Over/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Fighting Illini 0
Boilermakers 0

at Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ILL PUR
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Purdue Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Ohio State

See also: 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes football team and Illibuck
Pregame line Over/under
Ohio State Buckeyes (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Buckeyes 0
Fighting Illini 0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics OSU ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ohio State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Washington

See also: 2025 Washington Huskies football team
Pregame line Over/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Washington Huskies (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Fighting Illini 0
Huskies 0

at Husky Stadium • Seattle, Washington

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ILL WASH
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Washington Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Rutgers

See also: 2025 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
Pregame line Over/under
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Scarlet Knights 0
Fighting Illini 0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics RUTG ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Rutgers Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Maryland

See also: 2025 Maryland Terrapins football team
Pregame line Over/under
Maryland Terrapins (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Terrapins 0
Fighting Illini 0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics MD ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Maryland Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Wisconsin

See also: 2025 Wisconsin Badgers football team
Pregame line Over/under
Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) at Wisconsin Badgers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Fighting Illini 0
Badgers 0

at Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics ILL WISC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Wisconsin Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Northwestern

See also: 2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team and Illinois–Northwestern football rivalry
Pregame line Over/under
Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) vs Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Wildcats 0
Fighting Illini 0

at Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Statistics NU ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Northwestern Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Illinois Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Roster

2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 0 Justin Bowick Jr
WR 1 Mario Sanders II Jr
WR 2 Ashton Hollins  Jr
RB 3 Kaden Feagin Jr
QB 4 Carson Boyd Fr
RB 5 Ca'lil Valentine So
WR 7 Alexander Capka-Jones Sr
WR 8 Malik Elzy Jr
QB 9 Luke Altmyer Sr
QB 10 Ethan Hampton  Sr
WR 11 Brayden Trimble Fr
QB 12 Trey Petty  Fr
WR 13 Hudson Clement  Jr
TE 14 Cole Rusk Sr
WR 17 Collin Dixon  So
WR 18 Michael Bartolotta Sr
RB 21 Aidan Laughery  Jr
RB 22 Petey Olaleye  So
TE 23 Jordan Anderson  Jr
RB 25 Aaron Ball  Fr
RB 27 Corey Rashad  So
WR 28 Karson Kaiser  Fr
TE 39 Jake Furtney  Fr
OL 54 Griffin Rousseau Fr
OL 55 T. J. McMillen  So
OL 56 JJ Hirdes Fr
OL 57 Zach Barrett  Fr
OL 58 Melvin Priestly Sr
OL 63 Dezmond Schuster Sr
OL 64 Josh Kruetz Sr
OL 65 Kellen Francis  So
OL 66 Brandon Hansen So
OL 68 Michael McDonough Fr
OL 72 Ayden Knapik Sr
OL 73 Josh Gesky Sr
OL 74 J. C. Davis  Sr
OL 75 Brandon Henderson Jr
OL 78 Eddie Tuerk  Fr
OL 79 Zafir Stewart  Fr
WR 80 Hank Beatty Sr
WR 83 Tysean Griffin  Fr
TE 84 Grant Smith Fr
TE 85 Tanner Arkin Sr
WR 87 Tyler McClure Sr
TE 88 Davin Stoffel  So
TE 89 Tanner Hollinger  Fr
TE Christian Abney Jr
TE Logan Farrell Fr
RB John Forster Fr
OL Dylan Frechette Fr
OL Nathan Knapik  Fr
OL Tyler McMillan  Jr
QB Jershaun Newton Fr
RB Cedric Wyche II Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 0 Mac Resetich Jr
DB 1 Kaleb Patterson  Jr
DB 2 Saboor Karriem Jr
OLB 3 Alec Bryant Sr
OLB 4 Daniel Brown  Jr
DB 5 Torrie Cox Jr. Sr
DB 6 Jaheim Clarke Jr
DB 7 Matthew Bailey  Jr
DL 8 Jeremiah Warren  So
OLB 9 Leon Lowery Jr. Sr
DB 10 Miles Scott Sr
DB 12 Amar Reynolds  Fr
DB 13 Xanai Scott Fr
DB 14 Xavier Scott Sr
DB 15 Andre Lovett Jr. Fr
DB 16 Tanner Heckel So
OLB 17 Gabe Jacas Sr
OLB 18 Mason Muragin  So
DB 19 Tyson Rooks  Jr
DB 20 Tyler Strain Sr
DB 21 Ben Clawson  Jr
DB 22 RJ Jones III Fr
DB 24 Vernon Woodward III  Fr
LB 26 Ismael Kante Jr
LB 28 Dylan Rosiek  Sr
DB 29 T. J. Griffin  Jr
OLB 30 JoJo Hayden  So
DB 31 Murphy Clement  Fr
LB 33 Grant Beerman Fr
OLB 34 Erik Gayle Fr
DB 35 Grayson Griffin  Sr
DL 36 Tomiwa Durojaiye  Jr
LB 39 Kenenna Odeluga Sr
LB 41 James Kruetz  Jr
OLB 41 Clayton Leonard  Jr
LB 42 Luke Zardzin  Sr
OLB 43 Joe Barna So
DL 44 Angelo McCullom So
LB 45 Malachi Hood  Jr
LB 47 Easton Baker  Fr
OLB 48 Carter Smith  Fr
OLB 49 Harrysson Ngassa  Fr
DL 52 Pat Farrell  So
DL 54 Demetrius John  Fr
DL 56 Guillermo Gallardo  Jr
DL 90 James Thompson Jr.  Sr
DL 91 Cameron Brooks Fr
DL 92 Gentle Hunt  Sr
DL 93 Henry Engel  So
DL 99 Curt Neal  Jr
DB Tywan Cox Fr
DL Carter Hewitt  Sr
LB Jack Paris Fr
DB Des Straughton Fr
DL Isaiah White Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 24 David Olano Jr
LS 36 Lane Hansen Sr
P 40 Keelan Crimmins Sr
LS 44 Patrick Mahoney III  So
K/P Lucas Osada So
P Lars Rau So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Barry Lunney Jr. – Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks
  • Aaron Henry – Defensive coordinator/secondary
  • Terrance Jamison – Co-defensive coordinator/Defensive line
  • Robby Discher – Special teams coordinator/Tight ends
  • Archie McDaniel – Linebackers
  • Bart Miller – Offensive line
  • Corey Parker – Defensive backs
  • Justin Stepp – Wide receivers
  • Thad Ward – Running backs/Assistant head coach
  • Trent Harris – Outside linebackers
  • Ben Miller – Senior head coach analyst
  • Myers Hendrickson – Senior analyst
  • Mike Neu – Senior offensive assistant
  • Joe Kim – Skill development coordinator
  • Chris Hurd – Senior special teams assistant
  • Alex Panos – Co-outside linebackers
  • Artur Sitkowski – Co-quarterbacks
  • Byron Bell – Assistant offensive line
  • Danny Cameron – Assistant tight ends
  • Matt Ellerbrock – Assistant linebackers
  • Dan Ellington – Assistant wide receivers
  • Houston Griffith – Assistant defensive backs
  • Antonio James – Assistant defensive line
  • Ryan Simerson – Assistant secondary
  • James White – Assistant running backs
  • Harper Cole – Offensive skill and special teams assistant
  • Blake Smithback – Offensive front assistant
  • Tank Wright – Director, Strength and Conditioning
  • GC Yerry – Associate Director, Strength and Conditioning
  • Matt Manninger – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
  • Nick Elicone – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
  • Tyler Mayo – Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 7/26/2025

References

  1. ^ "Illinois Football Transfer Portal". ON3.
  2. ^ "Illinois Fighting Illini 2025 College Football Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
  3. ^ Neveau, James (December 11, 2024). "Illinois football schedule 2025 set as Illini will battle Ohio State, Indiana". NBC5.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  4. ^ "2025 Illinois Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
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