​The Oregon Ducks will face a team on Saturday with an even less desirable quarterback situation.Illinois (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) quarterback Katin Houser suffered a broken hand that will sideline him for four to six weeks during a 38-37 overtime win over Michigan State on Oct. 10.Oregon has played its last two games without starting quarterback Dante Moore, who suffered a concussion in the second quarter of the Ducks’ 41-27 win at USC on Sept. 26.However, while Oregon can turn to junior Dylan Raiola — a Nebraska transfer with 23 career starts — and senior Brock Thomas, Illinois is relying on freshman quarterback Michael Clayton II, who will make his first start against the Ducks. A positive for Illinois is that Houser was injured before the team’s bye week, giving coach Bret Bielema two weeks to prepare Clayton.“It was just good timing,” Bielema told reporters during his Monday media session.Illinois is off to a disappointing start after going 9-4 in 2025 and 10-3 in 2024. The defense is below average, while the passing combination of Houser and wide receiver Collin Dixon is one of the nation’s best. Dixon is tied for third nationally with nine touchdown receptions.Illinois head coach Bret Bielema celebrates their overtime win over Michigan State as he walks off the field after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel) AP Photo/Lon HorwedelAP Photo/Lon HorwedelNow Illinois heads into Saturday’s game against a resurgent Oregon defense, trying to get Clayton up to speed.His performance against MSU elevated expectations.Houser left the game late in the third quarter with Illinois leading 23-10. Clayton completed 6 of 8 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns. The final touchdown came in overtime on a 25-yard pass that put Illinois up 38-31.Sophomore quarterback Carson Boyd also played. He rushed once for seven yards but did not attempt a pass.Bielema and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. both said Boyd could play against Oregon (4-2, 2-1), but Clayton is the starter.Usually, Bielema said, his starting quarterback gets a lot of rest during the bye week while the staff works on player development. Given Clayton and Boyd’s inexperience, both got valuable reps in practice last week.“I think those two guys in particular took advantage of every rep,” Bielema said.Bielema has leaned heavily on transfer quarterbacks during his six years at Illinois, including Houser. But that could change if Clayton, a former three-star recruit, earns the job.“I’ve said several times that hopefully the next starter comes from within our program,” Bielema said.Lunney said Clayton will be more prepared than he has in the past given the circumstances. Michigan State Spartans defensive back Charles Brantley (4) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) in a Big 10 football game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. on Saturday, October 10, 2026.Isaac Ritchey | irit