CHAMPAIGN - Ty Robinson had never been part of a Hail Mary before, and when the ball finally came down, it felt like it hung in the air forever.
By Robinson’s count, it was up there for about 30 seconds before a pair of UAB defenders knocked it around and the ball ended up in his hands. Illinois needed a spark late in the first half, and that play delivered one in the biggest way.
The Illini had spent much of the half on the sideline after two quick scoring drives and some trouble slowing UAB’s run game. Then Ca’Lil Valentine broke off a 31-yard kick return, Hudson Clement picked up a quick completion on an out route, and Illinois had one last shot to launch it toward the end zone. UAB sent one rusher and dropped the rest into coverage to try to stop what Illinois called Project Hail Mary.
Instead, the ball found Robinson.
Katin Houser uncorked the throw, and Robinson came away with the catch that sparked a double dip of scoring for Illinois - one touchdown at the end of the half and another on the opening possession of the third quarter - as the Illini pulled away for a 42-23 win over UAB at Gies Memorial Stadium.
For Houser, the moment stood out immediately. He said it was one of the coolest plays of his career. For Robinson, the Ball State transfer who has dealt with injuries, it was a chance to finally have a moment of his own.
Illinois also got a new name emerging in the offense: Collin Dixon, who emerged as the Game One go-to option.
In Other News...
Illinois May Have Found A Transfer Lineman Who Can Change Everything
Will Holmes has already given Illinois something every defense hopes for in August and September, a new body on the line with a different kind of background and a fast-rising sense of comfort. The junior transfer arrived from Utah State after two seasons there, and his path to Champaign is hardly the usual one, considering he did not even start playing football until three years ago following a minor league baseball career. Even so, Holmes has worked his way from linebacker to defensive lineman and into a spot where the Illini are starting to see what the upside can look like.
His recent debut for Illinois suggested the adjustment may be coming together at the right time. Holmes showed encouraging signs in that first game, the latest step in a spring-to-fall climb that had already built some confidence around him in practice. For a line looking for more disruptive options, his development is the sort of detail that can matter long before the full season picture comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
CaLil Valentine Just Gave Illinois A Clear Backfield Favorite
Illinois opened its season against UAB with a backfield that still looks like it is sorting itself out, but CaLil Valentine made a strong early case to be the one leading the way. He finished with 88 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, highlighted by a 51-yard scoring run that gave the offense an explosive lift and helped set the tone for the night.
Aidan Laughery also got work, carrying eight times for 29 yards and coming close to a touchdown before the play was wiped out on review. The depth chart is still not fully settled, but Valentines showing gave Illinois a clear front-runner in a rotation that figures to keep getting watched closely as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Just Got New Hope For Its Toughest 2026 Road Test
Illinois projected 2026 path still looks strong overall, with a forecast that has the Illini finishing 10-2 and taking losses only to Oregon and Ohio State. But one of those road tests suddenly looks a little less daunting after Oregons latest outing, a game that showed the Ducks are not quite the runaway force many expected heading into the season.
For Illinois, the bigger question remains how its defense will handle that matchup if the game unfolds the way recent performances suggest. The Illinis offense appears capable of doing enough to keep things interesting, but the tension in that trip is still the same: can Illinois hold up against an Oregon attack that has already given opponents a lot to sort out? [Read more 🡒]