Illinois QB Michael Clayton II named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
The true freshman won his first college start, 21-10 over No. 25 Oregon.
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois quarterback Michael Clayton II was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday after leading the Illini past No. 25 Oregon 21-10 on Saturday in his first college start, according to Illinois Athletics.
Clayton completed 11 of 18 passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Illinois Athletics said he is the only true freshman quarterback to start and win a Big Ten game this season, and the third true freshman in program history to win a game as the starting quarterback, after Juice Williams at Michigan State in 2006 and Kurt Kittner at Northwestern in 1998.
He is also the second true freshman quarterback at Illinois, after Williams, with two games of two or more touchdown passes in a season, the school said. Illinois plays next at Maryland.
Source: Illinois Athletics release, Oct. 26, 2026, read Oct. 27.