Lovie Smith
FILE - In this July 22, 2021, file photo, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Illinois opens its season Aug. 28 against Nebraska. All eyes will be on new Illinois coach Bielema, who had a successful run at Wisconsin before leaving for a job at Arkansas. Now he is back in the Big Ten. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
Bielema makes Illini debut; Huskers' Frost faces key season

By Terry Towery Aug. 26, 2021 02:58 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud runs through a drill during an NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio, in this Monday, April 5, 2021, file photo. Third-year Ohio State coach Ryan Day opens a preseason camp for the first time without a good idea of who will be the starting quarterback. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Ohio St, Badgers Big Ten favorites; Indiana looking for more

By Eric Olson Aug. 23, 2021 01:19 PM EDT

Illinois linebacker Owen Carney talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Illini turn to Bret Bielema to keep building in Big Ten

By Terry Towery Aug. 16, 2021 04:31 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. The National signing day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Terps' hope top-20 recruit class brings improvement on field

By Eric Olson Feb. 03, 2021 06:28 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

Quarterback Peters to return for 3rd season at Illinois

Dec. 29, 2020 02:45 PM EST
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters will return for a third season with the Illini and play for new coach Bret Bielema, the team...

University of 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. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP)
New Illinois coach to make homegrown talent a priority

By Terry Towery Dec. 21, 2020 05:45 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov 24, 2017 file photo, Bret Bielema speaks with reporters beneath Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. Bielema is returning to the Big Ten and his home state to coach Illinois. Illinois hired the former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach, hoping he can turn around a program with nine straight losing seasons. (AP Photo/Kelly P. Kissel)
Illinois hires Bielema as coach to lift struggling program

By Andy Seligman Dec. 19, 2020 09:13 AM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Parker Washington (3) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Penn State defeated Michigan State 39-24. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State, Illinois ready to close out regular season

By Travis Johnson Dec. 17, 2020 05:34 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)
Illinois fires coach Lovie Smith after 5 seasons

Dec. 13, 2020 12:56 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey is tackled by Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Porter leads way as No. 15 Northwestern runs over Illinois

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 12, 2020 03:24 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey runs on a keeper against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Big Ten West clinched, Northwestern eyes win over Illinois

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

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 29-20. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
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. 24 Iowa scores 35 straight to beat Illinois 35-21

Terry Towery Dec. 05, 2020 07:24 PM EST

Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Iowa at Illinois 12/5/2020

Dec. 05, 2020 05:33 PM EST

Illinois linebacker Tarique Barnes (44) celebrates with teammates after he intercepted a pass by Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
No. 24 Iowa taking nothing for granted against Illinois

By Terry Towery Dec. 03, 2020 05:48 PM EST

Indiana defensive back Jaylin Williams, right, knocks Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields to the ground during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Revitalized Illinois hosts undefeated No. 3 Ohio State

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 27, 2020 11:30 AM EST

Ohio State running back Master Teague, right, cuts up field as Indiana defensive lineman Jonathan King tries to make the tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Indiana 42-35. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2020 08:45 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey, left, and Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) go after the ball following a bad snap in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Nebraska recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illini win 2nd in row 41-23 over turnover-plagued Huskers

By Eric Olson Nov. 21, 2020 03:54 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illinois at Nebraska 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 11:51 AM EST