Illinois Football Announces Week One Matchup

Illinois Football Announces Week One Matchup

Illinois Football announced on Monday that they have finally found the 12th addition to their Football schedule for the 2024 season. The Fighting Illini have tabbed in Chris Wilkerson, and the Eastern Illinois University Panthers to come to Champaign on August 31st. The Panthers went 8-3 overall in 2023, and 4-2 in conference play. They took a step forward under the new regime and gained momentum in the program, after having struggled in recent history, similar to the Illini. Surely, the Panthers would love to come into Champaign and spoil the week one party in Memorial Stadium.

History Versus the Panthers

The only two meetings to date between Illinois and EIU are a 42-17 win at home in 2006 and a 47-21 win over the neighbors to the East in 2008. So, certainly not much of a “rivalry” per se. However, with some juice coming into the season for EIU, there may be the makings for a solid FCS matchup in Champaign. The Panthers have a respectable football history, just a short drive away in Charleston. Greats like Tony Romo, Sean Payton, Mike Shannahan, and Jimmy Garoppolo, have led EIU to memorable seasons. As well as the Jump-start to some legendary careers. This would be a much-needed good start for the Illini vs a solid, yet beatable opponent. This win could help knock the rust off, and get the wheels turning for 2024. Again, much needed before diving into a newly revamped Big Ten, post-NCAA expansion.

Other Notables on The 2024 Schedule

Speaking of expansion. The Panthers are not the only new addition to the 2024 schedule for the Fighting Illini. Newly added Pac-12 opponents to the Big Ten conference have Illinois locked into a tough ride for 2024. UCLA, Oregon, USC, Penn State, and Michigan are all on the docket for Bielemas Illini in 2024. Illinois of course has gotten better as a program in recent history and can make a splash in 24′ vs a hefty schedule. Eastern, as stated, will be a much-needed game, that you should win at home. However, the in-state rivals are surely not going to hand it to you easily.

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