The Oklahoma Sooners are set to welcome the Illinois State Redbirds (0-0) to Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Illinois State comes in with its trademark efficiency: a sturdy offensive line, disciplined play, and few wasted possessions. Even more impressive, the Redbirds avoided the usual talent drain to the FBS transfer portal.
Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse is steady, wideout Daniel Sobkowicz is a playmaker, and running back Wenkers Wright—fresh off an 1,100-yard, 11-touchdown campaign—remains the engine of the offense.
That said, Oklahoma has reloaded in a hurry. Quarterback John Mateer, a transfer from Washington State, headlines the changes, joined by dynamic Cal running back Jaydn Ott.
A healthier receiving corps, an upgraded line, and the presence of former Washington State play-caller Ben Arbuckle running the show give the Sooners’ offense plenty of firepower.
Illinois State does bring veteran leadership, but history hasn’t been kind in these kinds of matchups. The Redbirds were blanked 40-0 by Iowa in last year’s opener and fell 38-0 to Wisconsin the last time they faced an FBS team in 2022.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma has made a habit of feasting on FCS foes, winning its last four such games since 2019 by a jaw-dropping combined score of 253-28. Coming off a rocky 2-6 finish, the Sooners look primed to throw the kitchen sink in their home opener.
Here's what you need to know to watch Oklahoma vs. Illinois State on Saturday, including start time and TV channel.
What channel is Oklahoma vs. Illinois State on today?
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: ESPN+, SECN+
Oklahoma vs. Illinois State will not air on a national TV channel. The game will be available to stream exclusively on ESPN+ and SECN+.
Richard Cross (play-by-play announcer), Tyoka Jackson (color analyst), and Tom Green (sideline reporter) are on the game call.
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Oklahoma vs. Illinois State start time
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025
- Start Time: 6 p.m. ET or 3 p.m. PT
Oklahoma vs. Illinois State is set to kick off at 6 p.m. ET or 3 p.m. PT from OU Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma vs. Illinois State radio station
- Radio channel: SiriusXM channel 192
Listen live to Oklahoma vs. Illinois State live on SiriusXM via channel 192 (Oklahoma broadcast).
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Oklahoma 2025 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | vs. Illinois State | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | vs. Michigan | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | at Temple | 12:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | vs. Auburn | TBD |
| Oct. 4 | vs. Kent State | 4:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | vs. Texas | 3:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | at South Carolina | TBD |
| Oct. 25 | vs. Ole Miss | TBD |
| Nov. 1 | at Tennessee | TBD |
| Nov. 15 | at Alabama | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Missouri | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | vs. LSU | TBD |
Illinois State 2025 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | at Oklahoma | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | vs. Morehead State | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | at Eastern Illinois | 3:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | vs. North Alabama | 1:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 4 | vs. North Dakota State | 7:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | at Murray State | 7:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | vs. Youngstown State | 3:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | at South Dakota | 2:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Northern Iowa | 3:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | at Indiana State | 3:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 15 | at South Dakota State | 4:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Southern Illinois | 2:00 p.m. |