Top of the Morning, Sept. 9, 2025

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In today’s column (B-5), Voice of the Illini Brian Barnhart writes that Saturday’s turnout by Illini fans at Duke “was easily the most I have seen at a road game in 24 years of traveling with” the team.

That didn’t surprise Craig Dyson, who grew up near Monticello and now lives near Raleigh, N.C. Dyson and eight cleverly dressed family members (above) were part of the orange-and-blue mob at Wallace Wade Stadium.

When players went to celebrate with Illini fans in the stands, “they genuinely looked shocked to see so many of us, being this far away and not a Big Ten game,” Dyson said. “They were taking it all in.”

Dyson contributed to our growing, fun-filled game-day photo series: “Where Illini Nation Was Watching,” which on Saturday included UI President Tim Killeen, a dozen former Illini, three Chief Illiniweks, 10 alumni clubs and other orange-clad fans. To contribute, simply email Editor Jeff D’Alessio at jdalessio@cimg.media.

Dyson was due. Shortly after he moved to North Carolina, the Tar Heels beat Bruce Weber’s Illini in the 2005 NCAA tournament title game. In 2015, he attended North Carolina’s 48-14 beatdown of Bill Cubit’s Illini in Chapel Hill.

Saturday was much more fun for Dyson and his wife, Amanda, and sons Ermias and Jackson.

“This is as exciting as it’s been in a while,” he said. “It seems like we’re building something consistent here.”