The sun is out in Eugene, Oregon; and Oregon Duck fans are feeling rays of excitement. Autzen Stadium is full this afternoon because the #1 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 20 Illinois fighting Illini.

Illinois is Oregon’s third-ranked opponent this season, after Oregon beat No. 17 Boise State and No. 4 Ohio State earlier in the season. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. PT on CBS.

A win would make Oregon 8-0 to open the season for the first time since 2013 and the fifth time in program history.

This article will be updated live throughout the game:

Q1 03:42: After a direct snap on Jordan James doesn’t gain significant yardage, Oregon punts. Illinois ball.

Q1 05:13: After a short drive, Tysheem Johnson intercepts Luke Altmyer. Oregon starts at its 14-yard line. This was Johnson’s second interception this year.

OREGON 14, ILLINOIS 0

Q1 06:08 OREGON SCORES: Dillon Gabriel throws a deep pass to Justius Lowe for a 34-yard touchdown. This drive for Oregon lasted just under 3 minutes with 7 plays for 58 yards. The kick is good.

Q1 06:28: Oregon takes its first timeout of the half after a last-minute substitution by Illinois.

Q1 08:54: After Derrick Harmon forces a fourth down with no yards gained, Illinois moves back toward Oregon. Illinois is currently down -5 total yards on its first drive.

Q1 10:21 a.m.: Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer sacked for a 10-yard loss by Teitum Tuioti.

OREGON 7, ILLINOIS 0

Q1 11:02 OREGON SCORES: Dillon Gabriel passes to Tez Johnson for a 31-yard touchdown. Atticus Sappington’s kick is good. Johnson has scored at least one touchdown in five straight games.

T1 3:00 p.m.: Illinois coin toss wins with heads-up call. Illinois postpones. Oregon starts with the ball.

These two teams haven’t faced each other since 1995, when Oregon won 34-31. The Ducks have only faced Illinois three times with an overall record of 2-1 against the Illini with each game decided by one score. Oregon is currently 1-0 against the Illini in home games.

Oregon enters this contest on a hot streak after its first shutout on the road since 1992 when they beat the Purdue Boilermakers 35-0. The quarterback leads the charge Dillon Gabrielwho went 21-25 on pass attempts against the Boilermakers for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Oregon’s ground game has also improved significantly since the start of the season, led by a cohesive offensive line and star running back Jordan James. James, despite reaching over 100 rushing yards in four of Oregon’s seven wins thus far, had a season-low 50 yards on ten carries against the Boilermakers. Nonetheless, Oregon is stacked in both the ground game and the passing game.

The Ducks defense also had a strong performance against Purdue, holding the Boilermakers to 93 passing yards and forcing them to go 4-12 on third down conversions and 0-3 on fourth down conversions. Teitum Tuitoti continues to lead the team in tackles as he has done regularly this season with the last six games. Matayo Uiagalelei replaced the injured Jordan Burch to record two tackles for loss and a sack to start the Boilermakers’ first offensive drive.

One thing to note is that the must-have senior tight end Terrance Ferguson is absent for this competition. Ferguson had his appendix removed the week before and missed Oregon’s final game against Purdue.

As for the Fighting Illini, they are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, with their only loss coming to No. 2 Penn State on the road. Strategist Luc Altmyer is a strong playmaker and leader for the Fighting Illini going 21-27 passing with 215 yards in Illinois’ milestone win over Nebraska earlier in the season.

Earlier today, ESPN College Game Day, All College Football Show analysts and guest coach, MLB star Kyle Schwarber, picked Oregon to win against the Fighting Illini.

“Organic, without a doubt. That’s the number one team for me right now,” ESPN College Gameday analyst and former Alabama coach. Nick Saban said.

OUT

1Jordan Burch
2Gary Bryant Jr.
3Terrance Ferguson
6 Jahlil Florence
14 Khamari Terrell
17 Kyler Kasper
77 Matthew Bedford
93 My’Keil Gardner

QUESTIONABLE

74 Dave Iuli

OUT

3 Kaden Feagin (Season)
4Daniel Brun
56 Magnus Moller

QUESTIONABLE

None