Illinois will start freshman Michael Clayton II at quarterback this Saturday when they face Oregon, a team juggling its own quarterback challenges. Clayton, who will make his first career start, steps in after starter Katin Houser broke his hand on October 10, sidelining him for four to six weeks.
Houser’s injury came during Illinois’ 38-37 overtime win against Michigan State. Clayton took over late in the third quarter with the Illini ahead 23-10. He completed six of eight passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns, including the 25-yard game-winner in overtime. Sophomore Carson Boyd also saw limited action but did not attempt a pass.
Coach Bret Bielema said the timing of Houser’s injury, just before the team’s bye week, gave them two weeks to prepare Clayton. “It was just good timing,” Bielema told reporters on Monday. The bye week allowed both Clayton and Boyd to get valuable reps in practice, as both are inexperienced at this level.
Bielema and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. confirmed Clayton will start against Oregon (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten), though Boyd remains an option off the bench. “We feel like we have another guy on campus in that room that can help us win and we’re very confident in that,” Bielema said.
Illinois (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) has struggled this season after back-to-back strong campaigns with 9-4 and 10-3 records. The defense has underperformed, while the offense has relied heavily on Houser and wide receiver Collin Dixon, who ranks third nationally with nine touchdown receptions.
Facing a resurgent Oregon defense will test Clayton’s readiness. Oregon has been without starting quarterback Dante Moore since he suffered a concussion in the second quarter of their 41-27 win at USC on September 26. The Ducks have rotated between junior Dylan Raiola, a Nebraska transfer with 23 career starts, and senior Brock Thomas.
Raiola replaced Moore and thrived against USC but struggled in a 17-15 loss to UCLA on October 10. Thomas started the Ducks’ 17-14 win over Nebraska last weekend but only came through late after Raiola replaced him. Oregon coach Dan Lanning said all four quarterbacks, including sophomore Akili Smith Jr., are in contention if Moore cannot return.
Lanning described preparing for Illinois’ offense with Clayton starting as a challenge given the lack of recent game film on the freshman. “There might be wrinkles, but very rarely do people change the identity of their offense based on a change of the position,” Lanning said. “So you prepare and then you make sure you have answers for what you think that skill set is.”
Illinois is most familiar with Raiola, who passed for 297 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 overtime loss to Illinois while at Nebraska in 2024. Bielema acknowledged the unusual situation of potentially facing three quarterbacks on Saturday. “Raiola is obviously a very accomplished player,” he said.
The game kicks off at noon PT on Saturday, October 24, at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Oregon enters as a 12.5-point favorite. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with radio coverage on the Oregon Sports Network.
According to Yahoo Sports.
