CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After a two-week hiatus, the Illinois Fighting Illini are set to return to Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday for an exciting matchup against the Maryland Terrapins. This game marks Illinois’ annual Military Appreciation Game, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. CT and broadcasting live on FS1.
In a heartfelt tribute, Illinois will honor veterans, active-duty military members, and their families during the event, having distributed nearly 2,000 tickets to service members and related organizations. Festivities will include a specially designed coin for the coin toss, ROTC cadets rappelling down the stadium during the Illini Walk, and a military swearing-in ceremony on the field during the first quarter’s initial timeout.
The Terrapins enter the game with a record of 4-5 and are spearheaded by freshman quarterback Malik Washington, notable for being one of three Power Conference true freshmen since 2000 to record over 200 passing yards in each of his first six games.
The Illinois team, with a current record of 6-3 and sitting at 3-3 in the Big Ten, is achieving remarkable successes under the leadership of head coach Bret Bielema. The team has reached postseason eligibility in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2010-11 and has secured 21 Big Ten wins during Bielema’s first five seasons, the most in any five-year stretch since the early ’90s. Illinois’ recent performance includes 29 wins over the past four seasons, highlighting a significant turnaround and strong growth within the program.
As part of their military appreciation initiatives, Bielema’s campaign has successfully matched ticket purchases by Illinois fans, aiming to enhance attendance at the game by bringing heroes from across the state to Gies Memorial Stadium. This campaign distributed over 1,300 tickets, generating strong community engagement and honoring those who serve the country.
On the attendance front, Illinois is on a trajectory to surpass 400,000 fans this season, a feat last achieved in 1994. The team has witnessed an impressive sellout streak this season, successfully filling the stands for four consecutive games, tying their longest streak since the late ’80s.
As excitement builds for Saturday’s game, fans can still secure a limited number of tickets at FightingIllini.com. With a combination of honoring military service and showcasing competitive football, the Fighting Illini’s Military Appreciation Game promises to be a memorable day for players and fans alike.