Both quarterbacks listed Out in Champaign

Illinois moves it, Oregon keeps points off the board

Against Power 4 opponents, Oregon is +7 in point margin, 27th nationally and sixth in the Big Ten. Illinois is -33 in the same games, 58th nationally and 13th in the Big Ten.

The offenses score almost the same in those games: 26.0 points a game for Oregon, 25.3 for Illinois. The defenses do not. Oregon allows 24.3 points a game, 33rd nationally, and Illinois allows 33.5, 61st.

Yardage tells the opposite story against Power 4 teams. Illinois gains 400 yards a game, 32nd nationally, and allows 395, while Oregon gains 325 and allows 397.

The quieter categories are close against Power 4 opponents. Oregon is -3 in turnover margin and Illinois -2, and Illinois is penalized 46 yards a game, 23rd nationally, to Oregon's 49, 27th.

Where it's decided

When Oregon has the ball, it meets an Illinois defense that Power 4 opponents have scored on 100.0% of the time in the red zone, 84th nationally and 18th in the Big Ten. Oregon scores on 86.7% of its red zone trips in those games, 36th nationally.

Against Power 4 opponents, Oregon holds the ball 26:25 a game, 77th nationally. Oregon converts 27.3% on third down, 77th nationally, but Illinois allows 50.0%, 73rd. Oregon throws for 217 yards and runs for 108 a game against an Illinois defense allowing 261 through the air, 16th in the Big Ten, and 135 on the ground.

Jordon Davison leads Oregon in rushing yards with 330 and has 6 touchdowns. Dierre Hill Jr. is second with 295 and has added 17 catches for 198 yards. Dakorien Moore is second on the Ducks in receiving yards with 347 on 25 catches, with 4 touchdowns.

Illinois rebuilt its pass rush. It returns 18% of its 2025 sacks, 5 of 28, after Gabe Jacas left for the NFL with 11 of them, and it returns 27% of its tackles for loss. Linebacker James Kreutz is tied for the team lead in sacks with 1, and defensive back Matthew Bailey leads the Illini in tackles with 41.

When Illinois has the ball, the key matchup comes on third down. Against Power 4 opponents, Illinois converts 45.1% on third down, 20th nationally, and Oregon allows 29.5%, fourth nationally and third in the Big Ten. Illinois scores on 71.4% of its red zone trips, 72nd, against an Oregon defense allowing 77.8%, 21st.

Illinois throws for 260 yards a game, 22nd nationally, and Oregon allows 253. Illinois runs for 139 a game, and Oregon allows 144.

Aidan Laughery leads Illinois in rushing yards with 391 on 62 carries. Hudson Clement is second on the team in receiving yards with 404 on 27 catches.

Oregon's front came back mostly intact, with 78% of its 2025 sacks, 23.5 of 30, and 69% of its tackles for loss. Linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei leads the Ducks in sacks with 4 and has 5.5 tackles for loss.

Collin Dixon's touchdown run

Illinois receiver Collin Dixon has 9 touchdown catches, tied for third in FBS. He leads the Illini in catches with 47 and in receiving yards with 608. He is one of 7 FBS players this season with two or more touchdown catches in three games.

25 plays against Nebraska

Oregon put together a 25-play drive against Nebraska last week, its longest by plays since 2011 against LSU. The 17-14 win gave the Ducks their first back-to-back wins over Nebraska in a series that dates to 1952.

Close games, and Oregon's halftime streak

Oregon has won its last 37 games when leading at halftime, dating to 2023. It is 2-2 in one-score games this season. Illinois is 1-2 in one-score games and 1-3 against Power 4 opponents, with Michigan State the win.

New quarterbacks, old departures

Dan Lanning coaches Oregon. Bret Bielema coaches Illinois.

Houser arrived as a 3-star transfer from East Carolina, part of 3,445 passing yards from 2025 that Illinois brought in through transfers, 3,300 of them his. Illinois returned none of its 2025 passing yards.

Oregon's roster includes quarterback Dylan Raiola, a 4-star transfer from Nebraska who threw for 2,000 yards in 2025. Receiver Iverson Hooks came from UAB with 927 receiving yards in 2025. Defensive back Koi Perich, a 4-star transfer from Minnesota, leads the Ducks in tackles with 40 and has 2 interceptions.

Oregon had 7 players drafted, including 2 safeties and 2 offensive guards, with 2 in the first two rounds. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq went 16th overall to New York and safety Dillon Thieneman 25th to Chicago.

Illinois had 3 players drafted: an edge rusher, an offensive tackle and a safety. Jacas went in the second round, 55th overall, to New England.

Both lines are thinned

Update, Sat, Oct 24, 12:00 PM CT: Since Friday's report, Illinois upgraded Jack Paris (probable to available); downgraded Jayshon Platt (questionable to out). On the latest report, Illinois lists Katin Houser, Ca'Lil Valentine, Demetrius John and 6 others as out or doubtful. Oregon lists Dante Moore, Evan Stewart, Jeremiah McClellan and 8 others as out or doubtful.

Beyond the quarterbacks and Stewart, Oregon lists receiver Jeremiah McClellan, defensive back Aaron Flowers and linebacker Brayden Platt as Out. Defensive end Matthew Johnson and offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho are new to the Out list this week, joining offensive lineman Trent Ferguson.

Illinois running back Ca'Lil Valentine, second on the team in rushing yards with 225, is listed Out. Linebacker Kayden Bennett and defensive lineman Demetrius John are new to the Out list this week, and defensive lineman Carter Smith, tight end BJ Thurman and offensive linemen Kai Pritchard and TJ McMillen are also listed Out. Linebacker Jack Paris is Questionable.

Receiver Jayshon Platt is Probable, and he came over with 720 receiving yards in 2025. Offensive linemen Champ Smith and Dezmond Schuster are also Probable.

Oregon has owned the modern series

Oregon leads the series 3-1 since 1970, has won 3 straight and has not lost to Illinois since 1970.

The last meeting, in 2024, was a 38-9 Oregon win at home, and Dillon Gabriel threw for 291 yards. That Oregon team went 13-1, and Illinois went 10-3 that season.

Three things to watch

The quarterbacks: with Moore and Houser both listed Out, neither offense has its starter on the report.

Illinois holding the ball: against Power 4 opponents it keeps it 31:33 a game, 19th nationally, while Oregon holds it 26:25, 77th, a path for the Illini to shorten the game.

The kicking game: Oregon's punt coverage ranks first nationally against Power 4 opponents at -1.6 yards on 5 returns, and its kick coverage second at 11.8 yards on 6 returns. Illinois' Ethan Moczulski is tied for the Big Ten lead with 2 field goals of 50-plus yards, and Oregon's Gage Hurych is tied for the Big Ten lead at 100% on field goals.