CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – On Wednesday, Illinois Football announced that its October 11 clash against the Ohio State Buckeyes was sold out.

The Battle for Illibuck, a wooden turtle trophy exchanged between the two teams when they play, will be one of the most high-stakes clashes in recent history.

The game against the reigning national champions is the third time Memorial Stadium has been sold out since the start of the 2024 season. Last year, the stadium was also sold out for a non-conference game against 19th-ranked Kansas and the top-25 clash with No. 24 Michigan for Memorial Stadium’s Rededication Game.

Season tickets for the year are also sold out for the first time in over 20 years, a mark of changing times for the Illinois football program.

The Fighting Illini, led by fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema, will begin the season ranked 12th in the nation. It’s the first time that the program is ranked in the Coaches Poll top 15 to start the year since 1990.

Illinois will start its 2025 season at home against Western Illinois on August 29. Kickoff against the Leathernecks will be at 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on Peacock.