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Katin Houser was highly sought after in the transfer portal, but ended up in Champaign. It didn't take long for the quarterback to make his first big play for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

In Illinois' season-opening game against the UAB Blazers on Thursday night, the Fighting Illini defense was on its heels early. UAB running back Rod Robinson II quickly got his team to midfield with three powerful rushes, and a third-down carry by Braylon McReynolds took the Blazers down to the 12-yard line.

However, a penalty took away UAB's big gain, and Division II transfer Ean Rhea earned a big sack on the ensuing play to push the Blazers out of field goal range. Punt returner Mac Resetich then recorded a 65-yard return to set Houser and the Illini offense up with good field positioning.

It took only three plays for Illinois to find the end zone. Aidan Laughery ran for seven yards, then Houser completed his first pass in navy and orange by finding Hudson Clement for five more. On first-and-10, Houser lightly floated his pass 18 yards to a wide-open Collin Dixon, who hauled in the pass in the end zone.

Here's what Houser's first touchdown pass in Champaign looked like on the Big Ten Network broadcast:

Collin Dixon gets the first touchdown of the 2026 season!

📺: @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/bnWZlNrVVO

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 4, 2026

The touchdown was Dixon's sixth of his career. Dixon is the leading returner among Illini wide receivers, having recorded 35 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore last season.

Houser is a graduate student entering his final season of collegiate eligibility. He began his career at Michigan State before transferring to East Carolina in 2024. As a redshirt sophomore, Houser played in nine games for the Pirates, completing 60.8% of his passes for 2,006 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Last season saw significant growth for Houser as a quarterback. He started all 12 regular season games and led East Carolina to an 8-4 record. Houser's completion percentage increased to 65.9% and he threw for 3,300 yards, along with 19 passing touchdowns and just six picks. The Pirates' passer was also active with his legs, finding the end zone nine times on the ground.

Houser replaces Luke Altmyer, who was largely credited with leading the Fighting Illini to their winningest two-season stretch in program history. Altmyer brought Illinois to a 10-3 record and a win in the Citrus Bowl in 2024, then helped the Illini go 9-4 with a win in the Music City Bowl in 2025.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Katin Houser was highly sought after in the transfer portal, but ended up in Champaign. It didn't take long for the quarterback to make his first big play for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

In Illinois' season-opening game against the UAB Blazers on Thursday night, the Fighting Illini defense was on its heels early. UAB running back Rod Robinson II quickly got his team to midfield with three powerful rushes, and a third-down carry by Braylon McReynolds took the Blazers down to the 12-yard line.

However, a penalty took away UAB's big gain, and Division II transfer Ean Rhea earned a big sack on the ensuing play to push the Blazers out of field goal range. Punt returner Mac Resetich then recorded a 65-yard return to set Houser and the Illini offense up with good field positioning.

It took only three plays for Illinois to find the end zone. Aidan Laughery ran for seven yards, then Houser completed his first pass in navy and orange by finding Hudson Clement for five more. On first-and-10, Houser lightly floated his pass 18 yards to a wide-open Collin Dixon, who hauled in the pass in the end zone.

Here's what Houser's first touchdown pass in Champaign looked like on the Big Ten Network broadcast:

Collin Dixon gets the first touchdown of the 2026 season!

📺: @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/bnWZlNrVVO

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 4, 2026

The touchdown was Dixon's sixth of his career. Dixon is the leading returner among Illini wide receivers, having recorded 35 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore last season.

Houser is a graduate student entering his final season of collegiate eligibility. He began his career at Michigan State before transferring to East Carolina in 2024. As a redshirt sophomore, Houser played in nine games for the Pirates, completing 60.8% of his passes for 2,006 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Last season saw significant growth for Houser as a quarterback. He started all 12 regular season games and led East Carolina to an 8-4 record. Houser's completion percentage increased to 65.9% and he threw for 3,300 yards, along with 19 passing touchdowns and just six picks. The Pirates' passer was also active with his legs, finding the end zone nine times on the ground.

Houser replaces Luke Altmyer, who was largely credited with leading the Fighting Illini to their winningest two-season stretch in program history. Altmyer brought Illinois to a 10-3 record and a win in the Citrus Bowl in 2024, then helped the Illini go 9-4 with a win in the Music City Bowl in 2025.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Katin Houser was highly sought after in the transfer portal, but ended up in Champaign. It didn't take long for the quarterback to make his first big play for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

In Illinois' season-opening game against the UAB Blazers on Thursday night, the Fighting Illini defense was on its heels early. UAB running back Rod Robinson II quickly got his team to midfield with three powerful rushes, and a third-down carry by Braylon McReynolds took the Blazers down to the 12-yard line.

However, a penalty took away UAB's big gain, and Division II transfer Ean Rhea earned a big sack on the ensuing play to push the Blazers out of field goal range. Punt returner Mac Resetich then recorded a 65-yard return to set Houser and the Illini offense up with good field positioning.

It took only three plays for Illinois to find the end zone. Aidan Laughery ran for seven yards, then Houser completed his first pass in navy and orange by finding Hudson Clement for five more. On first-and-10, Houser lightly floated his pass 18 yards to a wide-open Collin Dixon, who hauled in the pass in the end zone.

Here's what Houser's first touchdown pass in Champaign looked like on the Big Ten Network broadcast:

Collin Dixon gets the first touchdown of the 2026 season!

📺: @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/bnWZlNrVVO

— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) September 4, 2026

The touchdown was Dixon's sixth of his career. Dixon is the leading returner among Illini wide receivers, having recorded 35 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore last season.

Houser is a graduate student entering his final season of collegiate eligibility. He began his career at Michigan State before transferring to East Carolina in 2024. As a redshirt sophomore, Houser played in nine games for the Pirates, completing 60.8% of his passes for 2,006 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Last season saw significant growth for Houser as a quarterback. He started all 12 regular season games and led East Carolina to an 8-4 record. Houser's completion percentage increased to 65.9% and he threw for 3,300 yards, along with 19 passing touchdowns and just six picks. The Pirates' passer was also active with his legs, finding the end zone nine times on the ground.

Houser replaces Luke Altmyer, who was largely credited with leading the Fighting Illini to their winningest two-season stretch in program history. Altmyer brought Illinois to a 10-3 record and a win in the Citrus Bowl in 2024, then helped the Illini go 9-4 with a win in the Music City Bowl in 2025.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos