Kickoff Time Against Illinois Announced for Noon on FOX
9/14/2026 2:14:00 PM | Football
The Buckeyes will host Illinois in the team’s third home game of the season at Noon ET, airing on FOX.
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Big Ten and FOX have announced the kickoff time and broadcast information for Ohio State's Week 4 game against Illinois on Monday afternoon.Â
In their first conference game of the season, the Buckeyes will face off against Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 26 with kickoff at Ohio Stadium set for Noon on FOX.Â
This marks the second time this season Ohio State will play the Big Noon Saturday game.Â
In the battle for the Illibuck Trophy, the Buckeyes and Illini will be facing off for the 104th time in program history, with Ohio State leading the record 69-30-4. In the Ryan Day era, the Buckeyes are 1-0 against the Illini and had a 34-16 win on the road just last season. Â
Last year, Ohio State led the entire game, totaling 272 total offensive yards. The rushing game helped propel the offense with two touchdowns from running back CJ Donaldson on 13 attempts. Running back Bo Jackson followed close behind with 47 yards on 10 attempts and recorded a receiving touchdown. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith also earned a touchdown on one of his five receptions from quarterback Julian Sayin.Â
Ohio State defense kept the Illini limited to 16 points with a total of 64 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks. Four returners, defensive lineman Kenyatta Jackson Jr., cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr., linebacker Payton Pierce and defensive lineman Epi Sitanilei, contributed 13 of the 29 yards lost by Illinois, with Pierce recording his first interception for a 15-yard return.
In their first conference game of the season, the Buckeyes will face off against Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 26 with kickoff at Ohio Stadium set for Noon on FOX.Â
This marks the second time this season Ohio State will play the Big Noon Saturday game.Â
In the battle for the Illibuck Trophy, the Buckeyes and Illini will be facing off for the 104th time in program history, with Ohio State leading the record 69-30-4. In the Ryan Day era, the Buckeyes are 1-0 against the Illini and had a 34-16 win on the road just last season. Â
Last year, Ohio State led the entire game, totaling 272 total offensive yards. The rushing game helped propel the offense with two touchdowns from running back CJ Donaldson on 13 attempts. Running back Bo Jackson followed close behind with 47 yards on 10 attempts and recorded a receiving touchdown. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith also earned a touchdown on one of his five receptions from quarterback Julian Sayin.Â
Ohio State defense kept the Illini limited to 16 points with a total of 64 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks. Four returners, defensive lineman Kenyatta Jackson Jr., cornerback Jermaine Matthews Jr., linebacker Payton Pierce and defensive lineman Epi Sitanilei, contributed 13 of the 29 yards lost by Illinois, with Pierce recording his first interception for a 15-yard return.
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