Illini Defense Steps Up Against Duke | Illinois Fighting Illini Football News

Illinois kicks off 2026 with a solid win over UAB, but the defense still has work to do—especially against Duke’s tough running back. Defensive lineman Will Holmes is thriving in his new role, putting pressure on QBs, while wideout Brayden Trimble may not have flashy stats yet, but he’s making plays and drawing defenders. Linebacker Ismael Kante had a breakout game with an interception TD and top tackles, but admits they need better execution—especially tackling—to handle Duke’s offense. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/768bf9b61d6d153c