The 2023 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In their third season under head coach Bret Bielema, the Fighting Illini compiled a 5âÂÂ7 record (3âÂÂ6 in conference games), finished in a four-way tie for fourth/last place in the Big Ten's West Division, and were outscored by a total of 353 to 294.
The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Luke Altmyer (1,883 passing yards), running back Reggie Love III (567 rushing yards), wide receiver Isaiah Williams (82 receptions for 1,055 yards), kicker David Olano (89 points scored, 38 of 39 extra points, 17 of 20 field goals), and linebacker Dylan Rosiek (82 total tackles, 52 solo tackles). Isaiah Williams and defensive lineman Johnny Newton received first-team honors on the 2023 All-Big Ten Conference football team.
Playing its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, the team drew an average home attendance of 49,698.
The Illini were predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten's West Division.