Once again, the Illinois Fighting Illini have a November home game against the Michigan State Spartans during a season where they started very fast out of the gates. Since starting 6-1, the Illini have dropped back to back games, and there are understandably legitimate fears that this season could repeat the story arc of 2022. If you recall, it was the Michigan State game (a … [Read more...] about Michigan St. Spartans at Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview, Prediction
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Terrence Shannon Jr Scores First NBA Points on Illini Night
Thursday night brought a very special moment, during a National Basketball Association game, for Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball fans everywhere. Terrence Shannon Jr., currently a rookie with the Minnesota Timberwolves, scored his first NBA points in his hometown of Chicago, and he did it on Illini Night. Yes, the Chicago Bulls, who have Illinois legend Ayo Dosunmu … [Read more...] about Terrence Shannon Jr Scores First NBA Points on Illini Night
Illini Torched By Oregon Ducks Historically Good QB, Dillon Gabriel
No Bo Nix, no problem for the Oregon Ducks this season. In Dillon Gabriel, the Ducks once again have a superstar QB who transferred in from a SEC powerhouse program. In fact, Gabriel will end his college football career in a much more storied place than Nix did. The #20 Illinois Fighting Illini took on the nation's #1 team for the first time in 17 years yesterday. It did not go … [Read more...] about Illini Torched By Oregon Ducks Historically Good QB, Dillon Gabriel
Illini Notes: Leather Helmets, Memorial Stadium Museum, Beating Natl Champs, Playing #1
When Illinois upset Michigan last weekend, it marked the first Illini win over a reigning national champion since October 10, 1942. Back then, the Illini beat Minnesota, AP National Champions with an 8-0 record in 1941, 20-13 at home. For the Illini, it ended a 14 game losing streak against reigning national champions, and set up for a major showdown at #1 Oregon this … [Read more...] about Illini Notes: Leather Helmets, Memorial Stadium Museum, Beating Natl Champs, Playing #1
Illini Gain Historic, Emotional Win Over #24 Michigan, Fans Storm Field
In the past half-century, the Illinois Fighting Illini have beaten the Michigan Wolverines at home just twice, in 1983 and 2009, entering today. Make it three, as the #21 Illini upset the #24 Wolverines 21-7 on Memorial Stadium's 100th anniversary/Official Rededication game. It was the 77th sellout in the history of the historic stadium, and what a coincidence given how today … [Read more...] about Illini Gain Historic, Emotional Win Over #24 Michigan, Fans Storm Field
Kaden Feagin Suffers Leg Injury, Out for Michigan Game
Running back Kaden Feagin, the leading rusher on the #21 Illinois Fighting Illini, suffered a hyperextension of his left leg in practice early last week, and thus missed this past Saturday's 50-49 OT win over Purdue. Turns out the injury, the exact specifics of which haven't been fully released yet, is much worse than initially thought. Illini coach Bret Bielema not so subtly … [Read more...] about Kaden Feagin Suffers Leg Injury, Out for Michigan Game
Gray Ghost Uniform Fun as Red Grange Game Centennial Approaches
Friday brings the 100th anniversary of Red Grange's historic Homecoming performance against Michigan in the Memorial Stadium dedication game on Oct. 18, 1924. In that game, the Gray Ghost scored four touchdowns and racked up 262 total yards in the first 12 minutes, then ran for a fifth touchdown later on, and after that threw for a sixth TD to lead the Illinois Fighting Illini … [Read more...] about Gray Ghost Uniform Fun as Red Grange Game Centennial Approaches
#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
Illini Basketball Wins Big Ten Media Day With Bingo Card
Ah Media Day, the art of talking without actually really saying anything. Everyone is "excited to be here," "can't wait to get started" because "we have the potential to be the best (insert position group here) in the Big Ten, if not the nation." And amidst this backdrop, the Illini basketball program won 2024 Big Ten Media Days with their Bingo card. So many buzz-phrases … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Wins Big Ten Media Day With Bingo Card
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