Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 1 game
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Wk | Opp | CMP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | YPA | QBR | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 6 | W 38-37@ Michigan State | 6/8 | 88 | 2 | 0 | 11.0 | 34.3 | Season-high 88 yds |
Michael Clayton II
6′4″ · 205 lb · Orlando, FL · Miami Edison
88passing yards
2026, 1 game through week 6
2026, 1 game through week 6
1 game on our list this season, the latest on Oct 10. Too little to show a game-by-game read.
This week
- RecordIllinois is 3-3.
- Next gameat Maryland · Sat Oct 31
What’s being said about him
8 stories this week, from 7 outlets.
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Michael Clayton II
Sports Illustrated +1 Oct 20
Michael Clayton II
One game to point at: 88 passing yards and 2 passing TD against Michigan State — Week 6, 2026.
88 passing yards · 2 passing TD · 0 rushing yards
How he played
- W 38-37 at Michigan State Oct. 10
6 of 8 for 88 yards.
Career stats
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Season | Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Illinois | 6 | 8 | 75.0% | 88 | 11.0 | 2 | 0 | 249.9 |
| Career | 6 | 8 | 75.0% | 88 | 11.0 | 2 | 0 | 249.9 |
| Season | Team | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Illinois | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Career | 1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Game log
Signature game
Week 6 · 2026
W 38-37
88 yds · 2 TD · 0 INT · QBR 34.3
Edged out Michigan State on the road in a shootout.
With K. Houser — 194 yds · 1 TD · 1 INT · QBR 67.3 · 14 rush yds (5 car) · 1 TD · H. Clement — 6 rec · 105 yds · 1 TD
Teams and coaches
2026Illinois3-3HC: Bret Bielema · Balanced, slow tempo
Our ratings
Splits
Home and road splits, scheme and staff
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 1 game: 88.0 YDS/g, 2.0 TD/g, 11.0 YPA, 0.0 INT/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Bret Bielema
Pass share
51.9%
192 pass / 178 run
Plays / game
61.7
6 games
Scheme: Balanced, slow tempo.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
8 pass attempts and 1 carry in 1 game
Fewer passes and runs a game than most FBS quarterbacks who play every week.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Starter
The No. 1,358 recruit in the country is starting at quarterback in the Big Ten as a freshman.
In the news this week
from 7 outlets
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Michael Clayton II
Sports Illustrated +1 Oct 20 · 2 outlets
All 2 articles
What they’re talking about
Starting job and depth chart5 storiesrising
On3Illinois Football: QB Michael Clayton II prepares for first start against OregonOct 19
247SportsIllini freshman QB Michael Clayton II set for first career start: 'It's all about preparation'Oct 20- WANDIllinois using bye week to prepare Michael Clayton for first career startOct 20
The Daily IlliniMichael Clayton’s unexpected rise to starting QBOct 21
Yahoo SportsIllinois Veteran Confident in QB Michael Clayton Ahead of First Start vs. OregonOct 21
In the news this season
from 10 outlets
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Michael Clayton II
Sports Illustrated +1 Oct 20 · 2 outlets
All 2 articles
What they’re talking about
Starting job and depth chart6 storiesrising
- 247SportsFreshman QB Michael Clayton battling for Illini backup job: 'He can make all the throws'Aug 19
- On3Illinois Football: QB Michael Clayton II prepares for first start against OregonOct 19
- 247SportsIllini freshman QB Michael Clayton II set for first career start: 'It's all about preparation'Oct 20
- WANDIllinois using bye week to prepare Michael Clayton for first career startOct 20
- The Daily IlliniMichael Clayton’s unexpected rise to starting QBOct 21
Profile and feature4 storiesrising
- On3Meet the Illini freshmen: QB Michael Clayton IIAug 13
- Writing IlliniMichael Clayton II proving pressure truly does make diamonds for Illinois footballOct 11
- On3Illinois football mailbag: Michael Clayton II, bowl hopes, roster concerns, & moreOct 14
- 247SportsWerner Mailbag: What do Illini need in next DC?; Expectations for Michael Clayton Which freshmen play for MBBOct 16
Win2 stories
Week by week
- Oct 18 to Oct 24No game8 storiesIllinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Quarterback Michael Clayton II Sports Illustrated +1
- Oct 11 to Oct 17No game10 storiesWhat’s next for Illinois football with Michael Clayton under center?
The Champaign Room +1 - Oct 4 to Oct 10W 38-37 at Michigan State1 storyMichael Clayton II Finds Hudson Clement for 25-Yard WALK-OFF TD to Lift Illinois Past Michigan State in OT
FOX Sports - Sep 27 to Oct 3L 17-24 vs PurdueNo stories
- Sep 20 to Sep 26L 19-42 at Ohio StateNo stories
- Sep 13 to Sep 19W 48-10 vs Southern IllinoisNo stories
- Sep 6 to Sep 12L 27-31 vs DukeNo stories
- Aug 30 to Sep 5W 42-23 vs UABNo stories
- Aug 16 to Aug 22No game1 storyFreshman QB Michael Clayton battling for Illini backup job: 'He can make all the throws' 247Sports
- Aug 9 to Aug 15No game1 storyMeet the Illini freshmen: QB Michael Clayton II On3
Each week: his team’s game, the stories about him that week, and the week’s biggest news headline.
Stories are headlines grouped by what they are about, counted through Oct 24.
What fans said
at Michigan State, Oct 10MICHAEL CLAYTON: Do I look like I'm negotiating?Illinois fan, r/CFB game thread
Latest stories
- 5 goals for Illinois football with Michael Clayton II in the driver’s seat
- TCR Reacts: Most fans not ready for start of Michael Clayton II eraThe Champaign RoomOct 17
- Is Michael Clayton II the Illini’s next great QB?The Champaign RoomOct 16
In the game threads
at Michigan State, Oct 10MICHAEL CLAYTON: Do I look like I'm negotiating?Illinois fan, r/CFB game threadWhere to follow him
First season at Illinois, 1 game
- 2026 Illinois BielemaYear 1 · 1 game
- Before collegeSigned with Illinois in 2026 as a 3-star recruit, No. 1,358 in the country.
His moves
- Signed with Illinois in the 2026 class, a 3-star recruit.
His career
2026
- Signed with Illinois3-star out of Miami Edison