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5 painful observations from the Illinois football loss to Ohio State

Illinois football gave it their all on Saturday, but Ohio State kept the Illini at arm's length the entire game.

Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema motions during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It was not the result any Illinois football fan wanted, but Ohio State was the better team on Saturday.

The Illini started the game shooting themselves in the foot, and that continued for a few quarters.