LIVE score updates Oregon Ducks, Illinois: Tez Johnson 31-yard touchdown

The sun shines in Eugene, Oregon; and Oregon Duck fans feel rays of anticipation. Autzen Stadium is sold out this afternoon as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks take on the No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini.

Illinois is Oregon's third-ranked opponent of the season after Oregon defeated No. 17 Boise State and No. 4 Ohio State earlier in the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT on CBS.

With a win, Oregon would open the season at 8-0 for the first time since 2013 and the fifth time in program history.

This article will be updated live during the game:

OREGON 7, ILLINOIS 0

Q1 11:02 OREGON STANDS: Dillon Gabriel passes to Tez Johnson for a 31-yard touchdown. Atticus Sappington's kick is good.

Q1 3:00 p.m.: Coin toss Illinois wins with a call for heads. Illinois postpones. Oregon starts with the ball.

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

Oregon enters this contest on a hot streak, having lost on the road for the first time since 1992 when it defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 35-0. Leading the way is quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who went 21-25 for 290 yards and two touchdowns in pass attempts against the Boilermakers. 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. Although James topped 100 rushing yards in four of Oregon's seven wins so far, he posted a season-low 50 yards on 10 carries against the Boilermakers. Nevertheless, Oregon is well positioned in the ground game and in 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-for-12 on third-down conversions and 0-for-3 on fourth-down conversions. Teitum Tuitoti continues to lead the team in tackles, as he has done regularly this season with six final games played. Matayo Uiagalelei filled in for the injured Jordan Burch and recorded two tackles for loss and a sack to start the Boilermakers' first offensive attack.

It should be noted that top tight end Terrance Ferguson is not in this contest. Ferguson had his appendix removed last week 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 on the road to No. 2 Penn State. Quarterback Luke Altmyer is a solid play-caller and leader for the Fighting Illini, going 21-27 passing and 215 yards in Illinois' huge win over Nebraska to start the season.

Earlier on ESPN's College Game Day, every single college football show analyst and guest selection MLB star Kyle Schwarber picked Oregon to win against the Fighting Illini.

“Oregon, no doubt. They’re the No. 1 team for me right now,” said Nick Saban, ESPN college gameday analyst and former Alabama coach.

OUT OF

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

QUESTIONABLE

74 Dave Iuli

OUT OF

3 Kaden Feagin (season)
4 Daniel Brown
56 Magnus Moller

QUESTIONABLE

None