GAME DAY | What to Watch: Illinois Begins Historic 2024 Slate Against In-State Foe EIU - University of Illinois Athletics (2024)

For the first time in 39 weeks, Illinois football is back at Memorial Stadium.

The Fighting Illini will kick off their 2024 slate against in-state foe Eastern Illinois, marking the start of head coach Bret Bielema's fourth season at the helm of the program. Though the two teams' stadiums are less than 50 miles apart, Thursday will be the first meeting between the sides in 16 years.

The Panthers make the short trip to Champaign after recording an 8-3 record in 2023 while being picked to finish second in the preseason Big South/OVC poll. Led by third-year head coach Chris Wilkerson, Eastern Illinois heads into Memorial Stadium looking for its first-ever win against a Big Ten opponent.

Thursday's 8 p.m. CT kickoff will be the first of seven home games during Illinois' season-long Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary celebration. The Orange and Blue will don their Block I helmet against the Panthers before switching to various commemorative helmets over the next five home contests.

With 45 new faces on the Fighting Illini's 2024 roster, here are a few talking points ahead of Illinois' season opener under the lights on Thursday.

Departure of former starters brings new opportunities for Illini offense in 2024

Despite three former offensive starters hearing their names called during the 2024 NFL Draft, the Illini offense brings back several new faces while also adding immediate-impact players via the transfer portal.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer is set to be the team's Week 1 starter for the second consecutive season, while a trio of running backs – Josh McCray, Kaden Feagin, and Aidan Laughery – will likely take on the bulk of the production on the ground.

Despite losing their two leaders in receiving yardsfrom one season ago, the Illini wide receiver room has added multiple pieces and brought back several players who will look to address that production.

Pat Bryant, the team's leader in receiving touchdowns in 2023 and one of six team captains in 2024, is back for his senior season. Bielema has mentioned several names to watch in the wid receiver room, including juniors Hank Beatty and Alexander Capka-Jones and sophom*ores Malik Elzy, Ashton Hollins, and Kenari Wilcher.

Bielema also made a splash in the transfer portal by bringing in Zakhari Franklin, the NCAA's active leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

With Tip Reiman now in the NFL after being a third-round draft pick, captain Tanner Arkin, Henry Boyer, and transfer Carson Goda are three tight ends who will likely take on bigger roles for the Illini offense this season.

The offensive line features three returning starters in Zy Crisler, Josh Gesky, and Josh Kreutz, and Bielema made it a priority to bring in multiple highly touted transfers to bolster his squad during the offseason. Two such student-athletes are J.C. Davis, a New Mexico transfer who was the highest-graded tackle to return to college football, and Melvin Priestly, a Grambling transfer who already has 15 collegiate starts under his belt.

Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. enters his third season with the program with a mix of new promising options and an abundance of returning talent on the offensive side of the ball.

Illinois defense features blend of newcomers, returners heading into the season opener

As defensive coordinator Aaron Henry heads into his second season in the role, the Illini defense is ready to make more positive strides this campaign.

With the departure of the entire starting defensive line – which included the dynamic "Law Firm" duo of Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr., the Illini added multiple new faces to develop depth at the position. Dennis Briggs Jr. (Florida State), Gentle Hunt (Florida A&M), and Enyce Sledge are three new names to watch in the trenches this season.

The Orange and Blue defensive line room also includes multiple returners who saw action in 2023, including seniors TeRah Edwards and Ezekiel Holmes, the latter of whom made the move from outside linebacker this spring, and sophom*ore Alex Bray.

The linebacker and outside linebacker units brought back a majority of their talent from one season ago, a group that includes captains Seth Coleman and Dylan Rosiek.

Matthew Bailey is set to make his first appearance since the Illini's season opener in 2023, while wide receiver-turned-safety Miles Scott will also be a constant presence in the secondary. Xavier Scott and Tyler Strain are also back, while Bielema brought in transfers Terrance Brooks (Texas) and Torrie Cox Jr. (Ohio) to add even more collegiate experience to the group.

Eastern Illinois poses threats, challenges on both sides of the ball

With reigning Big South/OVC Football Association Coach of the Year Chris Wilkerson at the helm, the Panthers have turned things and will be dangerous on both sides of the ball on Thursday.

Quarterback Pierce Holley was named the Big South/OVC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after ranking second in the conference in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns in 2023. The Panthers also return their leading receiver, 2023 All-Big South/OVC first-teamer senior Eli Mirza, and their leading rusher, 2023 All-Big South/OVC first-teamer and Offensive Freshman of the Year MJ Flowers, from one season ago.

Defensively, the Panthers led the Big South/OVC in both interceptions and forced fumbles, though they ranked seventh in sacks. Senior linebacker Elijawah Tolbert – the team's tackles leader and 2023 All-Big South/OVC first-team selection – is a name to watch on the defensive side of the ball.

Thursday night's kickoff will air nationally on Big Ten Network as Bielema and the Illini look to win their season opener for the fourth consecutive season.

"We always say, 'Respect all; fear none,'" Bielema said. "I have a great respect for Chris Wilkerson and what he's done. It'll be a tall task for us, but I'm excited to get out here at Memorial Stadium and be a part of it."