Illinois rolls past Duke, 45-19
An intriguing matchup awaits in Durham to kick off Week 2. Illinois and Duke are both looking to make a run through their respective conferences, and Saturday’s game will serve as an important checkpoint for both teams.
The Blue Devils are led by Tulane transfer quarterback Darian Mensah, who put together an impressive debut last time out against Elon. As for the Fighting Illini, they have a slew of key pieces returning from last year’s 10-win campaign, led by quarterback Luke Altmyer.
On3 is tracking the showdown between Illinois and Duke with live updates, analysis and instant reaction. Follow along throughout the Week 2 game.
Final: Illinois 45, Duke 19
09/06/2025 02:46:35 PMIllinois put together an impressive performance in Saturday’s game against Duke, capitalizing off multiple Blue Devils turnovers. The Fighting Illini improved to 2-0 with the resounding 45-19 victory.
Duke turns it over for fifth time, Illinois scores again
09/06/2025 02:34:15 PMOn the first play after Illinois’ touchdown, Duke turned it over for the fifth time. The Fighting Illini got another strip-sack, and Ca’lil Valentine added a 23-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 44-19.
Luke Altmyer throws 3rd touchdown
09/06/2025 02:30:43 PMOnce again, Illinois was able to score off a Duke turnover. The Fighting Illini marched down the field, and Luke Altmyer threw his third touchdown of the day as he found Collin Dixon for the two-yard score. That made it a 38-19 Illinois lead to all but seal the victory.
Darian Mensah picked off
09/06/2025 02:09:39 PMAs Duke looked like it was mounting a late charge, Darian Mensah had a pass intercepted by Tanner Heckel. That gave Illinois the ball back with 10:59 remaining and in the shadow of its own goalpost at its own 11-yard line.
Illinois extends lead with late FG
09/06/2025 02:03:41 PMAfter lining up to go for it, a false start pushed Illinois to 4th and 7 in the fourth quarter. Bret Bielema opted to send out the field goal unit, and David Olano’s attempt was good to extend Illinois’ lead to 31-19 with 14:04 left in the game.
End 3Q: Illinois 28, Duke 19
09/06/2025 01:57:27 PMIllinois still holds a 28-19 lead entering the fourth quarter. Luke Altmyer is in the midst of an impressive day, going 19 of 28 for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Darian Mensah has also been solid, completing 20 of 29 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns through three quarters of play.
Andrel Anthony scores 2nd TD, Duke answers back
09/06/2025 01:48:00 PMFacing fourth down at the 6-yard line, Duke answered back. Darian Mensah once again connected with Andrel Anthony for his second touchdown of the day, though the Blue Devils’ two-point conversion failed. Illinois’ lead is 28-19 with four minutes left in the third quarter.
Hank Beatty extends Illinois’ lead
09/06/2025 01:39:15 PMIllinois wide receiver Hank Beatty added to his impressive day on Saturday with a 25-yard rushing touchdown out of the wildcat formation. That extended the Fighting Illini lead to 28-13 as they continued to capitalize on Duke miscues.
Duke turns it over again, Illinois recovers
09/06/2025 01:33:11 PMIllinois got its third turnover of the day with 8:03 left in the third quarter. Sahmir Hagans caught a 24-yard pass from Darian Mensah, but fumbled it – and Kaleb Patterson was there to recover for the Fighting Illini at their own 39-yard line.
Costly Duke penalty extends drive, Illinois scores again
09/06/2025 01:25:58 PMAfter Duke got whistled for having two players on the field with the same number, Illinois made the Blue Devils pay. The Fighting Illini marched down the field and scored on a 4-yard pass from Luke Altmyer to Justin Bowick. That extended the lead to 21-13 on the first drive of the second half.
Half: Illinois 14, Duke 13
09/06/2025 12:53:43 PMIllinois took a 14-13 lead into halftime, though Duke was able to get some momentum late in the second quarter. The Blue Devils totaled 240 yards of offense, led by 187 passing yards from Darian Mensah. Illinois got 137 passing yards from Luke Altmyer, though the run game stalled against the Blue Devils’ defense.
Andrel Anthony makes incredible TD catch
09/06/2025 12:51:28 PMAided by a roughing the passer penalty against Illinois, Duke got a few more chances before halftime. Darian Mensah was able to capitalize as he found Andrel Anthony, who officially got the toe-tap on a highlight-reel catch to make it a 14-13 Fighting Illini lead just before the break.
Duke turns it over in red zone
09/06/2025 12:29:34 PMDeep in Illinois territory after a 62-yard pass from Darian Mensah to Chase Tyler, the Fighting Illini defense once again made a big-time play. They forced a fumble on a strip-sack to get the ball back with 3:55 to go in the second quarter.
Illinois extends lead
09/06/2025 12:24:15 PMOn third down deep in Duke territory, Luke Altmyer found Cole Rusk in the back corner of the end zone. He held on to the ball as he hit the ground, and Illinois extended its lead to 14-6 with 5:01 remaining until halftime.
Duke gets another FG
09/06/2025 12:04:54 PMPenalties moved Duke out of the red zone before the Blue Devils settled for another field goal. Todd Pellino’s 40-yard try was good, and Duke cut the Illinois lead to 7-6 with 11:12 left in the first half.
Dylan Rosiek heads to injury tent
09/06/2025 12:00:15 PMIllinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek headed to the injury tent with an apparent left leg injury, according to the ESPN broadcast. He later returned to the sideline and went to the bench.
End 1Q: Illinois 7, Duke 3
09/06/2025 11:48:51 AMIllinois held a 7-3 lead after the first quarter of Saturday’s game, going against a staunch Duke defense. The Fighting Illini totaled 35 yards in the first quarter while the Blue Devils had 89 through the first 15 minutes of play.
Illinois capitalizes, takes lead
09/06/2025 11:43:40 AMWith strong field position, Illinois eventually punched in a touchdown when Kaden Feagin got the 1-yard score. That put the Fighting Illini ahead, 7-3, with 1:51 to play in the first quarter.
Duke muffs punt, Illinois recovers in red zone
09/06/2025 11:38:33 AMQue’Sean Brown went to field a punt after the Duke defense held strong, but muffed it deep in the red zone. Illinois recovered the fumble, setting the Fighting Illini up at the 18-yard line.
Duke strikes first
09/06/2025 11:15:48 AMDuke marched down the field on its opening drive, going 52 yards in nine plays, before eventually kicking a field goal. Todd Pelino drilled a 40-yarder, giving The Blue Devils the early lead, 3-0.
Kickoff
09/06/2025 11:09:02 AMIllinois won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Duke received the opening kickoff, which went out the back of the end zone for a touchback.
College GameDay picks Illinois at Duke
09/06/2025 10:55:41 AMThe ESPN College GameDay crew picked Illinois at Duke at the end of Saturday’s show. Desmond Howard, Nick Saban and Pat McAfee went with the Fighting Illini. Kirk Herbstreit and guest picker Trae Young picked the Blue Devils.
Pregame: Illinois at Duke
09/06/2025 10:44:36 AMAhead of kickoff, Illinois is a 2.5-point favorite against Duke in Saturday’s game, according to BetMGM. The over-under is set at 49.5.
Kickoff: Noon ET
Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek