Venue & Kickoff
Location: Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Weather Forecast
Conditions: Hot and sunny
Temperature: ~85°F at kickoff, rising to ~90°F by mid-afternoon
Wind: Light (4–6 mph)
Precipitation: 1% chance
Impact: Heat could test depth and conditioning, especially in the second half
Injury Report
Illinois
OG Ayden Knapik – Questionable (undisclosed)
CB Jaheim Clarke – Questionable (undisclosed)
CB Ben Clawson – Questionable (undisclosed)
CB Tywan Cox – OUT (season)
RB John Forster – OUT (season)
OG JJ Hirdes – OUT (season)
TE Grant Smith – OUT (season)
Duke
S Terry Moore – OUT (ACL recovery)
Team Form
Illinois: Returning 16 starters from a 10–3 season; dominant in opener with 440 total yards and 5 sacks
Duke: 14 returning starters from a 9–4 season; explosive second half vs. Elon with 35 unanswered points
Key Player Matchups
QB Luke Altmyer (ILL) vs. QB Darian Mensah (DUKE)
Altmyer: 17/21, 217 yds, 3 TD in opener
Mensah: 27/34, 389 yds, 3 TD in debut
WR Hank Beatty (ILL) vs. CB Chandler Rivers (DUKE)
Beatty: 5 rec, 108 yds; 133 punt return yds & 1 TD (school record)
Rivers: All-ACC caliber corner; key to limiting explosive plays
RB Kaden Feagin/Aidan Laughery (ILL) vs. LB Jaiden Francois (DUKE)
Illinois duo: 175 rush yds, 3 TD combined in Week 1
Francois: 10 tackles vs. Elon
EDGE Gabe Jacas (ILL) vs. LT Graham Barton replacement (DUKE)
Jacas: 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL in opener
Duke OL allowed 0 sacks vs. Elon but faces elite pass rush
Series History
All-Time: Tied 1–1
Last Meeting: Illinois won 28–14 (1965)
Betting Trends
Illinois: 5–0 SU in last 5 games; 1–0 ATS in 2025
Duke: 6–0 SU vs. Big Ten since 2017; 0–1 ATS in 2025
UNDER has hit in 4 of Illinois’ last 5 road games
Duke: 17–3 at home since 2022
Game Odds
Illinois Fighting Illini – 3
Duke Blue Devils 49.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
