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Illinois football prepares for season opener against UAB on Thursday

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 29, 2026, 2:51 PM

Last updated Aug 29, 2026

Illinois football prepares for season opener against UAB on Thursday

Summary

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema urged his players to watch other football games during their last free weekend before the 2026 season. The Illini are set to open their season against UAB at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Bielema has a perfect record in season debuts since taking over in 2021, and he plans to keep the players on the field for practice before giving them time off. Key adjustments include a new defensive coordinator, Bobby Hauck, who will coach from the press box. The team's roster has seen changes, with new offensive tackles Christian Martin and Nathan Knapik stepping in after last year's starters went to the NFL. The starting kicker and punter positions are still being finalized.

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Key Details

•Illinois opens the 2026 season against UAB on Thursday at 8 p.m.
•Bret Bielema emphasizes the importance of watching other games.
•Bobby Hauck takes over as defensive coordinator from the press box.
•Illinois has new offensive tackles as last year's starters move to the NFL.
•Kicker and punter positions are still being determined before the game.

Latest Updates

2:51 PMYahoo Sports — Getting a chance to watch the games

What they're saying

"
Aug. 29—CHAMPAIGN — On their last free weekend before the 2026 season starts, how does Bret Bielema hope his Illinois football players will spend their time? Checking on the game, of course. "It's fun to see those guys watch football when they're not in it," Bielema said during Friday's press conference at Gies Memorial Stadium. The Illini open at 8 p.m. on Thursday against UAB (BTN). Bielema ...
— Yahoo Sports

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Yahoo SportsAug 29, 2026, 2:51 PM
Getting a chance to watch the games
Aug. 29—CHAMPAIGN — On their last free weekend before the 2026 season starts, how does Bret Bielema hope his Illinois football players will spend their time? Checking on the game, of course. "It's fun to see those guys watch football when they're not in it," Bielema said during Friday's press conference at Gies Memorial Stadium. The Illini open at 8 p.m. on Thursday against UAB (BTN). Bielema ...

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