The sold-out crowd at Gies Memorial Stadium had plenty to cheer about Saturday afternoon, particularly during a first half in which Illinois' offense kept finding the end zone. But Duke had the final answer.
Photo courtesy Illinois Sports Information
Illinois receiver Collin Dixon makes a leaping catch in the end zone on Saturday. The senior made Fighting Illini history becoming the first player to haul in three TD passes in a half.
CHAMPAIGN - The sold-out crowd at Gies Memorial Stadium had plenty to cheer about Saturday afternoon, particularly during a first half in which Illinois' offense kept finding the end zone.
But Duke had the final answer.
The Blue Devils rallied to defeat Illinois, 31-27, handing the Fighting Illini their first loss of the season and ending a 10-game nonconference winning streak that dated to 2023.
Illinois, which entered the game 1-0, built a first-half lead behind quarterback Katin Houser and a record-setting performance from wide receiver Collin Dixon. Dixon caught 11 passes for a career-high 166 yards and three touchdowns, tying the Illinois single-game record for touchdown receptions.
"Collin is incredible," said Illinois head coach Brett Bielema. "Colin is extremely consistent every day in his approach, and work ethic."
Dixon also made program history.
The receiver became the first Illini to catch three touchdown passes in a single half. He opened the game with a 13-yard touchdown reception from Houser, capping Illinois' opening possession. His second touchdown came on a fourth-and-1 play from the Duke 40-yard line with 12:47 remaining in the second quarter. With 1:48 left in the half, Dixon caught a 2-yard pass from Houser for his third touchdown of the afternoon.
The three scores gave Dixon five touchdown receptions this season and 10 for his career. Saturday also marked the first 100-yard receiving game of his career.
Bielema praised Dixon's efforts on his last TD catch in the game.
"Even that last touchdown (pass) was a little high. He went up and got it and got his feet down."
Houser completed 24 of 35 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown three touchdown passes in each of his first two games as an Illini.
Photo courtesy Illinois Sports Information
Fighting Illini's Ca'Lil Valentine runs the ball for a short gain. He finished the day with 67 yards against the Blue Devils.
Illinois scored three times in the first quarter, producing two touchdowns and a field goal. Ethan Moczulski was 2-for-3 on field-goal attempts and made all three of his extra points, including a 51-yard field goal that gave Illinois a 10-7 lead with 3:41 remaining in the opening quarter.
The kick was the second 50-plus-yard field goal of Moczulski's career. He previously connected on a program-record 59-yarder against Central Michigan on Sept. 14, 2024.
The Illini finished with 382 total yards on 68 plays, including 271 yards through the air and 111 on the ground. Ca'Lil Valentine led Illinois' rushing attack with 67 yards on 18 attempts, while Aidan Laughery averaged 3.7 yards on 10 carries.
Duke answered with a balanced attack, gaining 170 yards on 35 rushing attempts and 206 yards passing. The Blue Devils finished with 376 total yards on 57 plays.
Running back Nate Sheppard led Duke with 147 rushing yards on 24 carries and a touchdown, with a long run of 29 yards. He also caught five passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns. CJ Campbell Jr. added 22 yards on eight carries.
Quarterback Walker Eget completed 15 of 21 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
After Illinois took a first-half lead, Duke eventually seized control with the go-ahead touchdown. The Blue Devils marched 75 yards in nine plays, with Eget finding Sheppard on a 3-yard touchdown pass.
Illinois' defense had a highlight of its own. Will Holmes recorded five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, including a strip sack that marked the first sack of his Illini career.
The loss dropped Illinois to 13-3 at Gies Memorial Stadium over the last three seasons. It also ended a five-game winning streak in one-score games. The Illini are now 8-2 in one-score games over the last three years and 13-5 over the last four.
Saturday's crowd marked the fifth sellout in the last eight games at Gies Memorial Stadium.
Illinois will try to bounce back when it closes its season-opening three-game homestand Saturday, Sept. 19, against in-state opponent Southern Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT on Peacock.
"You only get 12 of these guaranteed opportunities. So when you lose one that you know you were knocking on the door and should have won, in my opinion, like you - it's just really hard to swallow that moment," Bielema said after the game. "But tomorrow, you got to be very open and honest with why we had failure and make sure we get it shored up."
TAGGED: Illinois Fighting Illini football, Duke football, Collin Dixon, Katin Houser, Gies Memorial Stadium, Southern Illinois football
