Saturday brings No. 23 Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) hosting No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) at what will be a sold out Memorial Stadium. It will mark the Illini's Rededication Game, or 100th anniversary of the Red Grange game, which will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. So with that in mind, we re-publish this Red Grange piece from 2011. … [Read more...] about Why Illini Legend Red Grange Was Named the #1 Big Ten Icon
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Howard Griffith on Meeting Red Grange, His Eight TD Game
With the 100th anniversary of the Red Grange/Memorial Stadium dedication game approaching, we re-publish this exclusive with Howard Griffith, covering the time he met Red Grange. The piece, written by Paul Schmidt, ran originally in 2010. … [Read more...] about Howard Griffith on Meeting Red Grange, His Eight TD Game
#23 Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers Preview, Prediction
At the rate this season is going, Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters could soon be in line to get the best gig possible. There is no sweeter job, on this entire Earth, then fired coach with a lucrative buyout. You can easily pay me tens of millions of dollars to go away and not work. I'll accept that arrangement 11 times out of 10. Now comes a trip to Champaign, so … [Read more...] about #23 Illinois Fighting Illini vs Purdue Boilermakers Preview, Prediction
Tommy DeVito Deserves Another Shot as New York Giants QB1
It's time for the New York Giants to give Tommy DeVito another chance. The former Illinois Fighting Illini and Syracuse Orange impressed last season, in the nine games he played, putting up an 89.6 QBR while throwing for eight touchdown passes against only three interceptions. The undrafted free agent efficiently completed 64% of his passes, for 1,101 yards in 2023. But he's … [Read more...] about Tommy DeVito Deserves Another Shot as New York Giants QB1
Where Ex-Illini Football Head Coaches Are Now: Lovie, Zook, Turner
Lovie Smith broke a major Illini football streak when he became head coach of the Houston Texans. Smith became the first former Illini head coach since John Mackovic in 1991 to move up in the world after his time in Champaign was through. Five of the six men in between them moved down the vocational ladder, with the other making a lateral move. So for now at least, you can … [Read more...] about Where Ex-Illini Football Head Coaches Are Now: Lovie, Zook, Turner
Where Ex-Illini Football Coaches Are Now Part 3: Mike White, Lou Tepper, John Mackovic
We conclude our Every Living Former Illini Football Coach- Where Are They Now Series with part three, focusing on Lou Tepper, John Mackovic and Mike White. Part 1 (Ron Zook, Ron Turner and Lovie Smith) can be found here. Part 2 (Tim Beckman and Bill Cubit) can be found here. … [Read more...] about Where Ex-Illini Football Coaches Are Now Part 3: Mike White, Lou Tepper, John Mackovic
Where Ex-Illini Football Head Coaches Are Now Part 2: Tim Beckman, Bill Cubit
The Where Are They Now Series of former Illini Football Head Coaches continues today, with part 2, covering Bill Cubit and Tim Beckman. For part one, covering Ron Zook, Lovie Smith and Ron Turner, go here. … [Read more...] about Where Ex-Illini Football Head Coaches Are Now Part 2: Tim Beckman, Bill Cubit
Illini Still Searching for Rush Game Consistency Post Chase Brown
Illinois Fighting Illini football is 3-0 (having defeated Central Michigan 30-9 on Homecoming), and that puts them halfway towards bowl eligibility. They have a solid passing attack, good overall defense and a stellar, exceptionally opportunistic secondary. That's all good news. However, their offensive line leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the run game. This is … [Read more...] about Illini Still Searching for Rush Game Consistency Post Chase Brown
Illini Football Game Preview: Homecoming vs Central Michigan
Rushing the field was a bit too much, and kind of amateurish, but wow, what a nice win for the Illini football program on Saturday night! In knocking off #19 Kansas, it was their first home win over a ranked team since 2011. Although Illinois did get a top 10 road win, at Penn State, in 2021. Now comes a visit from MAC foe Central Michigan, and it appears that a 3-0 start … [Read more...] about Illini Football Game Preview: Homecoming vs Central Michigan
Kendall Gill Makes a Unique Choice for Hoops G.O.A.T. (Exclusive)
Current NBC Sports Chicago Analyst Kendall Gill really know his hoops- both college and pro. The Olympia Fields, Illinois native led the NBA in steals during the 1999 season, and he still holds the record for most single game steals in NBA history. A legend at the University of Illinois, where he helped lead the Illini to the 1989 Final Four, Gill was the fifth overall pick in … [Read more...] about Kendall Gill Makes a Unique Choice for Hoops G.O.A.T. (Exclusive)