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As the Oregon Ducks reach the midpoint of their regular season, with six games remaining, they hold a 4-2 overall record and a 2-1 mark in Big Ten play. Their next opponent is the Illinois Fighting Illini, who stand at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference action.
Oregon enters the matchup following a comeback victory over Nebraska, a game that featured late heroics from quarterback Dylan Raiola. Raiola has made a strong case to start this Saturday, as incumbent starter Dante Moore remains listed as out due to a concussion. According to On3's Pete Nakos, Moore's practice repetitions have been steadily increasing in recent weeks, signaling progress in his recovery. Nevertheless, Raiola is expected to take the first snap against Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 24. Moore has been practicing and participating in pregame warmups before the Ducks' last two games, but head coach Dan Lanning has not provided a timeline for his return.
Illinois is expected to be without starting quarterback Katin Houser, who suffered a hand injury in the team's 38-37 overtime win at Michigan State on Oct. 10. That would pave the way for freshman Michael Clayton II to make his first collegiate start. Clayton replaced Houser against the Spartans and threw for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Beyond the quarterback situation, there are plenty of storylines surrounding the Ducks as they prepare to face Illinois. From a perfect kicker to a former welder punter, and from an unbeaten Big Ten road record to a stingy run defense, here are 10 facts Oregon fans should know before the Ducks take the field in Champaign for the first time as Big Ten opponents.
Oregon's Road Dominance
1. The Ducks are 10-0 in Big Ten road games and own the nation's best road winning percentage since 2023 at 15-2.
2. Saturday marks Oregon's first trip to Champaign since 1993, when the Ducks defeated Illinois 13-7.
Ducks Making a Difference
3. Oregon kicker Gage Hurych has not missed a kick this season, going 9-for-9 on field goals and 19-for-19 on extra points.
4. Ducks punter Bailey Ettridge, a 28-year-old who previously worked as a welder in Australia, is the first Oregon punter to record multiple punts of at least 65 yards in a single season.
5. Oregon linebacker Teitum Tuioti has surpassed Kayvon Thibodeaux in career sacks. Tuioti's 20 sacks rank eighth in Oregon history, while Thibodeaux finished with 19.
6. Ducks linebacker Nasir Wyatt has generated 15 pressures on 110 defensive snaps, the third-most on the team, according to Pro Football Focus.
Building on the Nebraska Win
7. Entering the game in the fourth quarter, Raiola provided a spark. He led two scoring drives against his former team, Nebraska, totaling 37 plays: a 17-play field-goal drive and a 20-play, 82-yard touchdown drive.
8. Oregon receiver Dakorien Moore is the first Oregon receiver since Demetri Williams in 2005 to catch a touchdown in each of a season's first four games.
9. Oregon has allowed minus-6 yards on six punt returns, the lowest total in the nation.
10. Over its last four games, Oregon has allowed just 85 rushing yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry.
For fans traveling to Gies Memorial Stadium, the color schedule encourages wearing yellow. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network, with kickoff set for 12 p.m. PT.
What Dan Lanning Said About Illinois
Lanning offered additional context on his respect for Illinois, which is led by coach Bret Bielema.
"Coach Bielema always does a phenomenal job," Lanning said. "They've obviously had this previous week to really prepare for us and get healthy. So, I know they've been looking at us for a bit, and you feel like you're behind a little bit when you start looking at a team like Illinois and the skill set that they have. They've dealt with a lot of injuries this season, but they've done a good job taking advantage of the personnel they do have and creating explosive plays. You immediately recognize what they're able to do on offense. They have some playmakers and some weapons, and they do as good a job as anybody in football as far as getting their guys the ball and taking advantage of those weapons. What they do on defense is extremely unique."