Isaiah Williams
Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) carries the ball past a block from offensive lineman Peter Skoronski during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois rolls over Northwestern, keeps bowl hopes alive

By Terry Towery Nov. 27, 2021 06:59 PM EST

Illinois linebacker Tarique Barnes (44) causes Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty to fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Northwestern at Illinois 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 05:03 PM EST

Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington (14) catches a pass ahead of Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Jones' kick return lifts No. 18 Iowa past Illinois 33-23

By John Bohnenkamp Nov. 20, 2021 05:58 PM EST

Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla (8) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Illinois at Iowa 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 01:47 PM EST

Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) carries the ball against Illinois defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Defense dominates for Illinois in 14-6 win at Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Nov. 06, 2021 03:48 PM EDT

Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton, right, catches a pass from quarterback Noah Vedral as Illinois defensive back Tony Adams defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Rutgers edges Illinois 20-14 for its first Big Ten win

By Terry Towery Oct. 30, 2021 03:38 PM EDT

Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington (14) celebrates after catching a pass for a 2-point conversion in the ninth overtime to defeat Penn State 20-18 in an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Illinois stuns No. 7 Penn State 20-18 in NCAA's 1st 9OT game

By Travis Johnson Oct. 23, 2021 04:58 PM EDT

Penn State quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson (2) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 23-20. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
No. 7 Penn State, Illinois unsure of QBs ahead of matchup

By Travis Johnson Oct. 21, 2021 10:03 AM EDT

Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer (13) is tackled by Illinois defensive linemen Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and Jamal Woods (91) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
O'Connell rallies Boilermakers late to get past Illini 13-9

By Michael Marot Sep. 25, 2021 07:08 PM EDT

UTSA gets first win over a Big Ten foe, tops Illinois 37-30

By Terry Towery Sep. 04, 2021 11:45 PM EDT
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — As impressive as UTSA was on Saturday in beating Illinois 37-30, you’d never guess the Roadrunners’ football program is only a decade...

UTSA running back Brendon Brady, left, scores as Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen (35) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
UTSA at Illinois 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 09:23 PM EDT

Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski tosses the ball to wide receiver Isaiah Williams in the backfield for a touchdown reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 30-22. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois hosts dangerous UTSA, eager to go 2-0 under Bielema

By Terry Towery Sep. 02, 2021 01:32 PM EDT

Nebraska running back Markese Stepp backs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Illinois Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Nebraska at Illinois 8/28/2021

Aug. 28, 2021 02:53 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

Illinois running back Chase Brown (2) runs with the ball against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois State Redbirds at Western Illinois Leathernecks 12/13/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 03:33 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