Illinois received a huge lift Saturday morning prior to facing Wisconsin.

Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith announced on his pregame radio show with WDWS 1400 AM that graduate transfer quarterback Brandon Peters will start on Saturday.

Peters missed last Saturday’s game because of a concussion, but he practiced this week, and the medical staff cleared him to return to game action. Peters has made five starts this season, throwing for 797 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.

In his absence last week, freshman quarterback Matt Robinson completed 64 percent of his passes for 192 yards and a touchdown.

Illinois will host Wisconsin at noon ET on Saturday. Peters will have his hands full, as the Badgers give up just 4.8 points and 173.7 yards per game.