The Sports Bank

Football. Soccer. Basketball. Gaming and Much More

illinois football

Fighting Illini Spring Football Game Preview

By

Now that Mikel Leshoure left the Illini early for the NFL Draft, (and who can blame him really? He will be one of the first three running backs taken next week) Illinois college football is now headlined by sophomore QB Nathan Scheelhaase. It's his team. And if he continue to makes strides like he did from the season finale to the Texas Bowl, things will be fine. The 15 … [Read more...] about Fighting Illini Spring Football Game Preview

Illinois Removing 2,200 Bleacher Seats from Memorial Stadium

By

The University of Illinois announced today that they will permanently remove close to 2,200 seats from Memorial Stadium because they've outlived their usage. Illini SID Kent Brown said removal of the bleacher seats will drop stadium capacity from 62,870 to about 60,600. These bleacher seats in the south end zone were intended to be temporary when they were installed 29 … [Read more...] about Illinois Removing 2,200 Bleacher Seats from Memorial Stadium

Illinois Football Announces 2011 Recruiting Class

By

University of Illinois head coach Ron Zook announced Wednesday the signing of 27 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to play football for the Fighting Illini in 2011. The class is made up of 15 skill players, 11 linemen and a punter. Twelve of the 27 players rank in their state's Top 30, including five of the top 26 from Illinois. The group features players from 11 … [Read more...] about Illinois Football Announces 2011 Recruiting Class

Illinois Mega-Sports Extravaganza, 2010 Edition!

By

Hello everyone, and welcome to a fantastic day for Illinois sports!  The Illinois football team tries to get bowl eligible against LOWLY Minnesota, and then Illinois basketball takes on, for the first time in the Bruce Weber era, in-state rival Southern Illinois (yes, Bruce's old school...and they still haven't forgiven him). Quite a day indeed, and I'll admit to being fired … [Read more...] about Illinois Mega-Sports Extravaganza, 2010 Edition!

Illini QB Nathan Scheelhaase: Early Season Progress Report

By

Illinois Fighting Illini starting QB Nathan Scheelhaase was asked all the typical scouting report questions at Illini Media Day; but only now, after seeing him in action for two games, do we have a better appreciation of his responses to those queries. "Definitely have to say that speed is my strength, I'm not a slow guy. Coach (Paul) Petrino (Offensive Coordinator) and … [Read more...] about Illini QB Nathan Scheelhaase: Early Season Progress Report

Illini are Mikel LeShoure’s Team Now

By

Illinois Fighting Illini runner Mikel LeShoure (6-0, 225) wears Rashard Mendenhall’s number (remember him? the 2008 NFL first round draft pick and current Pittsburgh Steelers star), and last year he started to display a little bit of Shard's 2007 level of production and talent. In '09 LeShoure rushed the ball 108 times for 734 yards and 5 TDs, averaging 6.8 yards per … [Read more...] about Illini are Mikel LeShoure’s Team Now

Ron Zook on The Rose Bowl, Being Relaxed and Martez Wilson at Media Day

By

Perhaps the fate of University of Illinois football coach Ron Zook DOES lie in this year's performance. He's not feeling the pressure to win now, however, either way. "No, I don't, to be honest with you," Zook said at Monday's media day press conferences. "I think everyone that stands up here today has got pressure.  Obviously some of us have more than others.  I think the … [Read more...] about Ron Zook on The Rose Bowl, Being Relaxed and Martez Wilson at Media Day

Wrigley Field set to Host Illinois vs. Northwestern in November!!!

By

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs and Northwestern University today announced the Northwestern Wildcats football team will host the University of Illinois at Wrigley Field Saturday, November 20, 2010, at 11 a.m. CT. The matchup will mark the first college football game at Wrigley Field since 1938, when DePaul University played home games at the ballpark. The contest will be … [Read more...] about Wrigley Field set to Host Illinois vs. Northwestern in November!!!