Sept. 3 opener vs. Murray State set for 2:30 CT; WMU on Sept. 17 for 3 CT
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced start times for first three weeks of the 2016 season on Monday. Included in the release were the Fighting Illini's Sept. 3 season-opener versus Murray State (2:30 p.m. CT on BTN) and the Sept. 17 game against Western Michigan (3 p.m. CT on ESPNews), both at Memorial Stadium.
Murray State was 3-8 last season and 2-6 in the FCS Ohio Valley Conference. While the Fighting Illini and Racers have not met previously, Illinois is 15-0 all-time against FCS opponents.
Western Michigan was 8-5 ovearall (6-2 in the MAC West) in 2015, including a 45-31 win over Middle Tennessee in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. The Illini lead the all-time series versus the Broncos 4-1 and are 4-0 all-time at Memorial Stadium, including a 24-7 win in the most recent meeting in 2012.
The Fighting Illini's Sept. 10 home game against North Carolina was previously announced as a 6:30 p.m. CT kick on BTN, while Illinois' Homecoming game against Minnesota on Oct. 29 will kick at 11 a.m. CT. Illinois now has eight 2016 game times set, including four of seven home games and four of five away games.
Start times and broadcast informatioin for remaining football games will be determined on the customary 6- or 12-day advance notice.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced start times for first three weeks of the 2016 season on Monday. Included in the release were the Fighting Illini's Sept. 3 season-opener versus Murray State (2:30 p.m. CT on BTN) and the Sept. 17 game against Western Michigan (3 p.m. CT on ESPNews), both at Memorial Stadium.
Murray State was 3-8 last season and 2-6 in the FCS Ohio Valley Conference. While the Fighting Illini and Racers have not met previously, Illinois is 15-0 all-time against FCS opponents.
Western Michigan was 8-5 ovearall (6-2 in the MAC West) in 2015, including a 45-31 win over Middle Tennessee in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. The Illini lead the all-time series versus the Broncos 4-1 and are 4-0 all-time at Memorial Stadium, including a 24-7 win in the most recent meeting in 2012.
The Fighting Illini's Sept. 10 home game against North Carolina was previously announced as a 6:30 p.m. CT kick on BTN, while Illinois' Homecoming game against Minnesota on Oct. 29 will kick at 11 a.m. CT. Illinois now has eight 2016 game times set, including four of seven home games and four of five away games.
Start times and broadcast informatioin for remaining football games will be determined on the customary 6- or 12-day advance notice.
