Duke (1-0) and Illinois (1-0) square off in Week 2 in what shapes up to be an early-season litmus test for both sides.
The Blue Devils eventually pulled away from Elon, though cracks in their defense showed in the opening stages, while Illinois had little trouble dispatching Western Illinois in a lopsided affair from the start.
Beyond the ACC vs. Big Ten label, this matchup brings together two quarterbacks who kicked off the season with sharp, composed performances under center.
With the Illini carrying the slight edge as road favorites, this clash could be the one that signals which of these programs has the blueprint to break into the Top 25 conversation.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Illinois vs Duke NCAAF game, plus plenty more.
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Illinois vs Duke: Date and kick-off time
Illinois will take on Duke in a highly anticipated NCAAF game on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 12:00 pm ET or 9:00 am PT at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC.
| Date | Saturday, September 6, 2025 |
| kick-off Time | 12:00 pm ET or 9:00 am PT |
| Venue | Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium |
| Location | Durham, NC |
How to watch Illinois vs Duke on TV & stream live online
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming service: Fubo
Streaming the game with a VPN
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Illinois vs Duke team news & key players
Illinois Fighting Illini team news
Luke Altmyer was razor-sharp for Illinois against Western Illinois, throwing for 217 yards on 17-of-21 attempts (81%) with three touchdowns and no turnovers. Aidan Laughery stole the show on the ground, racking up 101 yards on just nine carries (11.2 per rush) and punching in two scores, while also hauling in a pair of catches for 22 yards. Hank Beatty added a spark through the air with five grabs for 108 yards, averaging over 21 yards per reception.
Duke Blue Devils team news
For Duke, Darian Mensah lit up Elon’s secondary with 389 passing yards, completing 27-of-34 throws (79.4%) with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Anderson Castle turned his three carries into 69 yards at a staggering 23.0 yards per run, plus two short receptions for eight yards. Cooper Barkate stretched the field, finishing with 117 yards on five receptions, averaging 23.4 yards a catch.