Bret Bielema
Current football players enter the memorial service for their late Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach, at Humphrey Coliseum on the university's campus in Starkville, Miss., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Leach died, Dec. 12, 2022, from complications related to a heart condition at 61. He was in his third year as head coach. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
No. 24 Mississippi State faces Illinois with heavy hearts

By Mark Didtler Jan. 01, 2023 10:53 AM EST

FILE - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema watches against Michigan in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Illinois signed coach Bret Bielema to a new six-year contract through 2028 on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, a big reward for transforming a struggling program into a winner in his second season. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Illinois rewards Bielema with new contract through 2028

Dec. 20, 2022 02:34 PM EST

Purdue University Director of Athletics Mike Bobinski addresses the football head coach position opening during a press conference, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.(Alex Martin/Journal & Courier via AP)
Purdue hires Illini coordinator Ryan Walters as new coach

By Michael Marot Dec. 13, 2022 10:59 AM EST

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell looks on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Fickell leaves Cincinnati to take over as Wisconsin's coach

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 27, 2022 12:13 PM EST

Illinois offensive lineman Alex Palczewski runs on the field with the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Illinois defeated Northwestern 41-3 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois rips Northwestern, falls short in Big Ten West bid

By Matt Carlson Nov. 26, 2022 07:06 PM EST

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck waits as referees review a play during an NCAA college football game against Iowa in the second half Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Big Ten West race will be a missed opportunity for some

By Noah Trister Nov. 22, 2022 04:06 PM EST

Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower (7) evades Michigan defensive back Rod Moore (19)in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 3 Michigan beats Illinois 19-17 after Corum hurts knee

By Larry Lage Nov. 19, 2022 04:02 PM EST

Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) can't pull in a pass as Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog (13) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 3 Michigan hosts Illinois in Big Ten bruiser

By Bob Tripi Nov. 17, 2022 12:50 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
O'Connell, Durham lead Purdue past No. 21 Illinois 31-24

By Gavin Good Nov. 12, 2022 04:33 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Marc Lebryk)
Purdue visits No. 21 Illinois in key Big Ten West matchup

By Gavin Good Nov. 10, 2022 03:40 PM EST

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema points to fans following his team's 26-9 victory over Nebraska in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Improved Illinois extends contract of OC Barry Lunney Jr.

Nov. 09, 2022 01:00 PM EST

Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower, left, is upended by Michigan State linebacker Aaron Brule during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Michigan State halts skid by upending No. 14 Illinois 23-15

By Gavin Good Nov. 05, 2022 07:49 PM EDT

Security and police break up a scuffle between players from Michigan and Michigan State football teams in the Michigan Stadium tunnel after an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan State President Samuel Stanley has apologized and says the actions of the football players who were involved in a postgame melee with Michigan players are “unacceptable.” He also says the players involved would be held responsible by coach Mel Tucker. (Kyle Austin/MLive Media Group via AP)
No. 14 Illinois hosts downtrodden Michigan State

By Gavin Good Nov. 03, 2022 03:56 PM EDT

Nebraska offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple, left, chats with quarterback Casey Thompson after he threw an interception against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
No. 17 Illinois beats Cornhuskers 26-9 for 6th straight win

By Eric Olson Oct. 29, 2022 07:05 PM EDT

Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 17 Illinois puts 5-game win streak on line vs Huskers

By The Associated Press Oct. 27, 2022 12:20 PM EDT

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema gestures on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 17 Illini out to avoid complacency in trip to Nebraska

By Eric Olson Oct. 27, 2022 06:10 AM EDT

Illinois running back Chase Brown celebrates his touchdown off a pass from quarterback Tommy DeVito during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Word is out about Brown, Illinois wants volume turned up

By Eric Olson Oct. 23, 2022 10:23 AM EDT

TCU running back Kendre Miller (33) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown during the second overtime period of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Vols, Frogs, Wolverines make statements

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 15, 2022 10:14 PM EDT

Illinois running back Chase Brown carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Brown's 180 yards, defense carry No. 24 Illini past Gophers

By Gavin Good Oct. 15, 2022 03:51 PM EDT

Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim (24) rushes against Michigan State's Angelo Grose (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. Minnesota won 34-7. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Star RBs face off as Minnesota visits No. 24 Illinois

By The Associated Press Oct. 13, 2022 01:41 PM EDT