Illinois' Katin Houser, Collin Dixon Duo Continues to Impress vs. Duke

Illinois' Katin Houser, Collin Dixon Duo Continues to Impress vs. Duke

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Illinois' Katin Houser, Collin Dixon Duo Continues to Impress vs. Duke

The Illinois Fighting Illini took on last year's ACC champions, the Duke Blue Devils, at Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday in Champaign, Ill. 

The game gave coach Bret Bielema's team a chance to move to 2-0 on the season after an opening game win against the UAB Blazers last week. 

The Fighting Illini took a page out of their playbook from the Blazers game to get on the board first against the Blue Devils as quarterback Katin Houser found his new favorite target Collin Dixon for the game's first touchdown. 

Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon(17) celebrates his touchdown with teammate wide receiver Brayden Trimble (11) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images  
Sep 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon(17) celebrates his touchdown with teammate wide receiver Brayden Trimble (11) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images  

Houser, Dixon Strike Again

Houser once again found Dixon for the game's first score, this time on a perfect strike between two defenders from just over 13 yards out.

The perfect passing play helped Illinois seize a 7-0 lead on the visitors from Durham, North Carolina, continuing the positive momentum from the second half of Week 1 against UAB. 

 

The touchdown reception was Dixon's third so far on the young season and showed once again why Houser trusts him to make big plays on contested catches. 

Dixon is in his third season with the Fighting Illini and appears ready, willing and able to surpass his 548 yard season from a year ago, his best in an Illini uniform. 

Houser threw for 3,300 yards last season with East Carolina and looks every bit the polished passer he was last season, and then some. 

Duke Closes the Gap as First Quarter Winds Down

The Blue Devils closed the gap on the Fighting Illini as the first quarter began to wind down behind a touchdown pass from Walker Eget to Jonah Burton. 

The pass-and-catch was made even more impressive by the fact that it came against star Illini defensive back Xavier Scott, who provided sticky coverage on the play.

Eget, who played last season at San Jose State, lofted a perfect pass over Scott's shoulder and Burton came down with it as he slid to the turf and rolled out-of-bounds.

The Illini's vaunted pass defense hasn't quite been as good as expected so far this season, especially in the first half of both games.

 

Houser, Dixon Putting on a Show

Houser and Dixon put on a show in the first quarter as Houser had 72 passing yards and 10 rush yards along with his passing touchdown.

Dixon had four catches for 39 yards and a receiving touchdown. The Fighting Illini's star duo also got help from the running game, which tallied 52 yards in one quarter.

The Fighting Illini and Blue Devils appeared locked into a shootout with the second half about to begin in Champaign, Ill. 

The experience could serve Illinois well as they are two weeks out from a road showdown against the high-powered Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. 

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