Isaac Pinkus
Illinois football players wait in the tunnel as they prepare to run onto the field before the Illinois v Western Illinois game on Aug. 29, 2025. Illinois went on to win their season opener 52-3.
Sam Rink
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer warms up before the Illinois versus Western Michigan game on Sept. 13. 2025.
Sam Rink
Illini cheerleaders line up and do pushups in the endzone to celebrate an Illinois touchdown Sept. 13. Illinois defeated Western Michigan in a 38-0 shutout.
Josh Fine
Larry Gies waves to the crowd as he is honored after his $100 million gift to the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the Illinois versus Western Michigan game on Sept. 13. The stadium was rededicated as Gies Memorial Stadium in September.
Josh Fine
Senior linebacker Kenenna Odeluga takes a photo with Larry Gies after defeating Western Michigan.
Ansh Aggarwal
Illinois fans fill Grange Grove carrying flags and posters during the Big Noon Kickoff broadcast before the game versus the University of Southern California on Sept. 27, 2025. Fans started waiting outside the stadium before sunrise to watch the show.
Elena Baker
The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team descends onto Zuppke Field before the Homecoming game versus Southern California on Sept. 27, 2025.
Matt Stepp
Former NFL player and Big Noon Kickoff host Mark Ingram II takes a bite of a spicy chicken wing with Sean Evans, an Illinois alumnus and host of the popular talk show, Hot Ones, on Sept. 27, 2025.
Matt Stepp
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer is tackled, losing an opportunity to score for Illinois against Ohio State on Oct. 11, 2025. Illinois lost 34-16.
Sam Rink
Jon Peters, an Ohio State superfan who goes by the alias Big Nut, kisses his handmade buckeye necklace at the game versus Ohio State Oct. 11. Big Nut has used his popularity to give out thousands of dollars in scholarships to Ohio high schoolers.
Sam Rink
Ohio sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter on Oct. 11.
Noah Markunas
Senior Quarterback Luke Altmyer reaches out for a stiff-arm during the Illinois versus Rutgers game on Nov. 1, 2025. Illinois won the game 35-13.
Noah Markunas
A fan in the Illinois student section busts a move in a Halloween costume for the dance cam at the Nov. 1 game.
Anika Khandavalli
Cheerleaders celebrate between quarters with the Can-can dance on the field at Gies Memorial Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025.
Connor Stolman
Senior tight end Tanner Arkin and Junior wide receiver Hudson Clement celebrate after a touchdown during the Illinois versus Maryland game on Nov. 15, 2025. Illinois defeated Maryland 24-6.
Connor Stolman
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown against Maryland.
Isaac Pinkus
Sophomore runningback Ca’Lil Valentine is lifted up by teammates after scoring a touchdown against Northwestern on Nov. 29, 2025. Illinois went on to win the game 20-13.
Ryan Nichols
Senior defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. hoists “The Hat” after defeating Northwestern in a snowy evening matchup.
Sam Rink
Illinois players put their hands in after a pre-game huddle at the Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Dec. 30, 2025.
Sam Rink
Tennessee redshirt sophomore runningback DeSean Bishop runs past junior defensive back Saboor Karriem to score a third-quarter touchdown at the Music City Bowl.
Sam Rink
Senior quarterback Luke Altmeyer points upward between plays at the game versus Tennessee on Dec. 30, 2025. Altmeyer went on to win the game's MVP award.
Sam Rink
Head coach Bret Bielema recieves the Music City Bowl trophy from Liberty Mutual's fictional spokesperson, Doug, on Dec. 30, 2025. The game marked Bielema's sixth career bowl win and second with Illinois.
Sam Rink
Junior linebacker TJ Griffin hoists himself up onto the wall for a post-game kiss after Illinois won the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2025.
