The Trench Report: Duke

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 9, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Ashley Ray/Illinois Athletics)

I hope everyone is enjoying the afterglow of the biggest Illini non-conference road victory in a generation.  Duke is a pretty good team, picked for 6th in the 17-team ACC, and the Illini ran away from the Blue Devils and generally outclassed the Dukies in a 45-19 laugher.  I was especially impressed by the coaching staff's adjustments on both sides of the ball.  Duke likes to run a scheme based on quickness and penetration on defense and the Illini adjusted . . .

 

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