Illinois Fighting Illini football
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Illinois' new football coach Bret Bielema and his family were introduced to the media outside the Smith Center on UI campus in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 20 , 2020. Bielema saw a unique opportunity to accelerate a turnaround at Illinois when he returned to college football as head coach of the Illini in December. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP, File)
College football super seniors could change fortunes in 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 28, 2021 12:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 file photo, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema gets choked up as the senior players are introduced before the start of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. It's going on 40 days since Bret Bielema was announced as Illinois' football coach, and since then he's assembled a staff, met returning players, recruited new ones, convinced a top player to pull his name out of the transfer portal and made the rounds getting to know administrators and alumni. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
New Illini coach Bielema says he doesn't want to wait to win

Jan. 27, 2021 05:02 PM EST

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Big Ten West clinched, Northwestern eyes win over Illinois

By The Associated Press Dec. 10, 2020 04:11 PM EST

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, left, and Illinois head coach Lovie Smith shakes hands after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. Iowa won 35-21. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Northwestern seeks win over Illini before Big Ten title game

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 10, 2020 01:59 PM EST

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras is pressured by Illinois defensive lineman Roderick Perry II during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 25 Wisconsin at No. 19 Iowa in Big Ten's premier game

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 06:04 AM EST

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson celebrates after an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 24 Iowa looking for a road win against surging Illinois

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 05:31 PM EST

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his players during an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 3 Ohio State cancels game at Illinois after virus spike

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 27, 2020 03:57 PM EST

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral drops back top pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Rutgers tries to end 2-game skid against winless Illinois

Nov. 13, 2020 01:01 PM EST

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts towards a game official after a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 38-21. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
No. 13 Wisconsin to play at Michigan after canceling 2 games

By Larry Lage Nov. 12, 2020 07:23 PM EST

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson (15) scores on a 9-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Pig out: Ground-heavy Gophers try to regain Floyd from Hawks

By Dave Campbell Nov. 12, 2020 06:57 PM EST

Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr., left, strips Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell of the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Purdue beats quarterback-depleted Illinois 31-24

By Terry Towery Oct. 31, 2020 05:20 PM EDT

Illinois quarterback Isaiah Williams throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 45-7. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Purdue wary of Illini as Boilermakers try to go 2-0

By Terry Towery Oct. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst talks to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mertz, No. 14 Wisconsin rout Illinois 45-7 in Big Ten opener

By Steve Megargee Oct. 23, 2020 11:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin running back Nakia Watson (14) runs past Michigan State safety Xavier Henderson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Madison, Wis. Even after beating a Wisconsin team that was favored by 30 ½ points last year, Illinois heads into Madison as a 19 ½-point underdog as the two West Division rivals prepare to open the pandemic-delayed Big Ten season Friday night. “Illinois definitely deserves a butt-whooping from last year,” Wisconsin running back Nakia Watson said earlier this month. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
Illinois seeking to surprise No. 14 Wisconsin one more time

By Steve Megargee Oct. 22, 2020 12:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2018, file photo, Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek (37) heads to the end zone with a 42-yard touchdown against Western Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Groshek ran for 194 yards on 42 carries and caught 29 passes for 289 yards last season. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
Illinois seeks to stun No. 14 Badgers for 2nd straight year

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2020 12:54 PM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, file photo, Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) dives for a first down against California during the second half of the Redbox Bowl NCAA college football game, in Santa Clara, Calif. Peters was short of the first down. Illinois appears poised to make a statement in the Big Ten during the 2020 season. One reason is quarterback Peters, who started after transferring from Michigan. He is Illinois' first returning No. 1 quarterback since 2016. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
Coming off bowl season, Illini eye bigger things in Big Ten

By Terry Towery Oct. 14, 2020 10:11 AM EDT

Northwestern moves Wisconsin game from Wrigley to Ryan Field

Jul. 08, 2020 02:39 PM EDT
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern's game against Wisconsin scheduled for Nov. 7 at Wrigley Field in Chicago is being moved to Ryan Field because of...