Clayton wins battle of the backups, leads Illinois to victory against Oregon

After a 20-yard field goal set them back ten to nothing, Illinois started off their sixth offensive drive of the game on their own twenty-yard line. Most in attendance geared up for a slow and steady drive down the field. Most, except Aidan Laughrey. Laughrey, a team captain currently playing his fifth and final year at Illinois, lined up in the backfield with one destination in mind: the end zone. And, after receiving a pitch from freshman quarterback Michael Clayton II, he took the football to that very location and, in the process, put the first score on the board for the Fighting Illini. Laughrey’s 75-yard touchdown run –just shy of his career high of 77- was the start of things to come for the Illinois Fighting Illini (4-3, 2-2) as they went on to defeat the Oregon Ducks (4-3, 2-2) 21-10After losing starting running back Ca’lil Valentine for the season during their matchup against Purdue, Bret Bielema has had to rely on Aidan Laughery increasingly throughout the season. But other faces on the squad have been able to move the payload and produce on the field, taking some of the stress off Laughery. True Freshman Javari Barnett was quite reliable this game, having six carries while rushing for 27 yards. Another face that surprisingly was a big factor in the run game was backup QB Carson Boyd. Boyd’s impact on the game made for some pretty interesting plays both stats-wise and visually speaking, including a 20-yard run that took him all the way to Oregon’s 13-yard line. All in all, the entire running unit accumulated a total of 225 yards against an Oregon defence that typically only allows a total of 133.6 rushing yards a game. Battle of the backupsPrior to the season, both these teams had incredibly high expectations. Dante Moore was at the helm of a team that ranked at No. 3 in the national preseason rankings, while Katin Houser was expected to follow in the footsteps of Illinois transfer greats such as Altmyer and Devito and potentially lead the Fighting Illini to a third bowl-winning season, the first of its kind for the program. Yet heading into this matchup, neither Moore nor Houser would be expected to suit up as both men had been stung by the injury bug. In their places stepped up Dylan Raiola and Michael Clayton II, two quarterbacks with an exact opposite amount of experience in the B1G. Raiola, a third-year QB and former starter at Nebraska, started off the game hot as he went 3-for-5 on passing attempts and threw for 45 yards in the first drive of the game, which led to the Ducks drawing blood first. Clayton II, a true freshman whose first taste of B1G football came in the latter half of Illinois away victory against MSU, started ice cold as his first drive saw the QB out of Orlando, Florida go 2-3 on passing attempts and only muster up a mere five passing yards. Yet as the old cliché goes, it ain’t about how you start; it’s about how you end. Raiola clocked in an impressive 27-of-41 passing attempts with 246 yards, but was unable to record a single passing touchdown all game. Yet on this day, the true freshman reigned supreme as Clayton II ended the game going 11-of-18 on passing attempts for 84 yards and two touchdowns While not airing it out as much as fans may have hoped to see, Clayton II’s first-ever start at QB showed two things that nobody can take away from him His efficiency is second to none No, that MSU game was not a fluke All in all, I think it’s safe to say that the Fighting Illini’s future looks incredibly bright with Clayton II under center. Kicker WoesFighting Illini fans not only went home happy, but also well fed, as due to Oregon’s Kicker Gage Hurych going 1-for-4 on field goal attempts, fans in attendance were able to redeem a code for a free six-piece chicken nugget at any local or participating McDonald’s restaurants. In theory, some lucky Block-I member went home with 18 McNuggets. Here’s to hoping they’re open to sharing with a certain TCR writer! Check This Out!Ladies and Gentlemen, feast your eyes on Dixon’s record-breaking catch:Collin Dixon adds to the Illini lead 🤩@IlliniFootball extends the advantage with another touchdown!Watch on @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/Yjy0ROLIgq— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) October 24, 2026Laughery leading the charge with a 75-yard touchdown: 75 YARDS. Laughery breaks through the hole and goes 75 yards for a touchdown. 📺: @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/5L04CN7BGn— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 24, 2026Christian Abney hauls in his first touchdown in an orange and blue jersey!Christian Abney dives into the end zone for his first touchdown as an Illini! 📺: @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/DsOwleqhg8— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 24, 2026Stat Stuffers Laughrey: 13 carries, 123 yards, 1 touchdown Dixon: 6 receptions, 65 yards, 1 touchdown Clarke: 7 solo tackles, 1 TFL, 2 pass breakups Up NextClayton II looks to continue to seize the moment as the Fighting Illini head to Maryland to battle the Terrapins next Saturday.