Duke football returns to Wallace Wade Stadium for a Week 2 showdown against No. 11/12 Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 6 (Noon ET, ESPN).

The Blue Devils defeated Elon 45-17 to start the season behind quarterback Darian Mensah’s impressive debut ― 389 passing yards and three touchdowns. Illinois was just as dominant in its opener, routing Western Illinois 52-3 as veteran quarterback Luke Altmyer tossed three touchdown passes and totaled 217 yards through the air.

This matchup marks only the third meeting between the two programs. The series is currently tied 1-1, with Duke winning 15-13 in Durham back in 1958, and Illinois responding with a 28-14 victory at home in 1965.

For Duke, the game represents a chance to secure its first ranked win under second-year head coach Manny Diaz ― and i

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