Game week has arrived for eager Illinois football team

(WCIA) — It feels like Christmas Eve in the Smith Center as Illinois prepares to open the 2024 campaign.

“I can’t wait,” said outside linebacker and captain Seth Coleman. “It’s a surprise, really. I can’t wait for y’all to see. They’ve been working hard. I’m just ready. I’m just ready for the whole team to be out there on Thursday. Just validating coaching, really. Just everything. The hard work we did, the summer, hard work we did this whole fall camp, just validating.”

Illinois has logged 240 hours of preseason prep in the last month, which is now limited as classes start. Players on both sides of the ball are more than ready to see all the hard work pay off.

“Everybody excited,” said defensive back Xavier Scott. “I don’t see nobody not being excited for that first game. I mean, I’m ready for it. I remember the last time I was on the field, you know, I suffered an injury, you know, my last game, so I won’t forget about that. But I’m kind of excited to get back out there with my guys and play some football.”

The action begins on Thursday, August 29 at 8 p.m. against Eastern Illinois.

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