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Duke's Nate Sheppard ran for 227 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane; Illinois allowed UAB 194 rushing yards and 16 missed tackles, per PFF. The preview sees a rushing opportunity but warns that Bobby Hauck's new pressure-oriented 3-3-5 can create negative plays. Bielema linked some tackling problems to limited live work during an injury-affected camp, not an assurance they will persist.
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Duke QB Walker Eget went 13-of-26 for 131 yards without a touchdown or interception in the opener. Manny Diaz attributed the struggles to timing between throws and route breaks and said responsibility was not solely on the quarterback. The writer calls for play-action completions and Jeremiah Hasley involvement to deter loaded boxes; those are recommendations, not announced play-calling changes.
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Illinois right guard Brandon Henderson is expected to miss Duke, according to the preview; it is not presented as a confirmed final availability ruling. He was the line's lone returning starter after four offseason replacements. TJ McMillen and Dezmond Schuster are named as possible replacements, with no settled starter announced in this article.
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Duke held Tulane to 54 rushing yards and 3-of-14 on third down, with three sacks and seven tackles for loss; Bryce Davis had two sacks. Illinois presents a different passing test: Katin Houser opened 13-of-17 for 182 yards and three passing touchdowns, plus 29 rushing yards and a score. The preview highlights his quick release as a counter to Duke's pressure, not a guaranteed matchup result.
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Duke had a 32-yard field goal blocked; another block from 27 was erased by offsides before Cosme Salas made a 22-yarder. The preview flags protection, timing and execution across the unit. Illinois received a 65-yard Mac Resetich punt return that set up a touchdown, while Ethan Moczulski made all six extra points and recorded six kickoff touchbacks in its opener.