CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois football has announced their October 3rd matchup with Purdue will serve as the program's "Orange Out" game for the 2026 season.
The Illini are encouraging fans to attend the contest, in hopes of a third-straight sell-out for the "Orange Out" game. In 2024, Illinois topped #19 Kansas, 23-17, thanks to 4 defensive takeaways. Last season in 2025, the battle for the Illibuck Trophy saw 60,670 fans file into Gies Memorial Stadium as the #17 Illini met #1 Ohio State.
HAIL TO THE ORANGE OUT.
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) August 3, 2026
October 3rd. pic.twitter.com/Y2NEccgUKc
In the Fall 2025 campaign, Illinois defeated Purdue in West Lafayette to retain The Cannon trophy behind a 43-27 win. The award is one of two annual trophy games on the Illini football calendar, with the trophy making its debut in 1943.
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