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The Illinois Fighting Illini thrilled and delighted the Gies Memorial Stadium crowd on Thursday night in Champaign, Ill. with a 42-23 win over the visiting UAB Blazers that was close for a half before the Illini took control.

A Hail Mary just before halftime from quarterback Katin Houser to wide receiver Ty Robinson gave Illinois a 21-13 lead that they wouldn't look back from all night.

Along the way, the Fighting Illini showed they have plenty of star caliber individual performers capable of taking over a game when the moment calls for it. 

The following five players stood out the most on an exciting and action packed night of inter-conference college football. 

Each player made the evening one to remember as the Fighting Illini moved to 1-0 on the season, starting with its budding new star at quarterback. 

1. Katin Houser- 

Houser looked like a polished, cerebral field general all night for the Fighting Illini, showing off the eye-popping traits that made him a star with East Carolina.

His pocket presence, timeliness, accuracy and perfect spirals made him look like a potential All-Big Ten player in Week 1, albeit against lesser competition.

Houser finished with 182 passing yards on 13-of-17 completions along with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed three times for 29 yards including a score on the ground and looked confident doing it. 

2. Collin Dixon-

Dixon needed to step up with Jayshonn Platt sidelined for Thursday's game and he came through with flying colors, snagging Houser's first ever touchdown pass in an Illini uniform. 

Dixon finished with six receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns, calming fears of the Illini faithful prior to the game about a possible lack of receiving depth. 

Collin Dixon is in for another @IlliniFootball TD 💪

Watch on @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/BlsdPORLYI

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 4, 2026

3. Ca'Lil Valentine-

Valentine's loyalty to the program is beginning to pay big dividends. His patience, physicality and burst stood out all night en route to an 11-carry, 88 yard performance with one long 51-yard touchdown run to start things off on the ground for Illinois. 

Valentine looks like the clear top running back on this team ahead of Aidan Laughery, who had 8 carries for 29 yards. 

4. Ismael Kante-

A former junior college prospect and linebacker from Minneapolis, Kante got the chance of a lifetime to make a big play vs. Blazers QB Ryder Burton and cashed it in with a pick six that brought the house down in Champaign. 

Kante's big play was one of many on a night that gave Illini fans plenty to cheer about.

He also finished second on the Fighting Illini with six tackles, one behind All-Big Ten candidate and safety Matthew Bailey. 

ISMAEL KANTE PICK-6 🗣️ @IlliniFootball

Watch on BTN pic.twitter.com/rXqeTAzDzH

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 4, 2026

5. Matthew Bailey-

Bailey is one of six Illini captains and one of the most important players of the Bret Bielema era so far. 

Bailey has been one of the most dependable players on the Fighting Illini since arriving on campus and he continued his hard-nosed play on Thursday night, leading Bielema's team with seven tackles. 

The Blazers totaled over 400 yard of total offense on the day including 219 passing yards, which is sure to be a point of emphasis in the next week-long period's team meetings.

The defense's performance likely won't be enough to score a win against the heavy hitters on Illinois' schedule including Ohio State on Sept. 26, but it's a start.

Bailey and the Fighting Illini have enough talent to make a run at the College Football Playoffs this season, now the real film room work begins with Duke next up on Saturday, Sept. 12. 

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