Mike Epstein
Maryland defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu (97) reacts after he made a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Howard, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in College Park, Md. Maryland defensive linemen Ami Finau (55) and Lawtez Rogers, right, look on. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Reeling Illinois bracing for conference foe Maryland

By Terry Towery Sep. 16, 2021 03:00 AM EDT

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, left, congratulates Illinois head coach Bret Bielema after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. Illinois won 30-22. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois fends off Nebraska in 30-22 season-opening win

By Terry Towery Aug. 28, 2021 05:25 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

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

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

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson celebrates after an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 24 Iowa looking for a road win against surging Illinois

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 05:31 PM EST

Illinois running back Chase Brown carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 3 Ohio State goes on the road to face revitalized Illini

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2020 12:52 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

Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller is taken off the field on a stretcher during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. He appeared to have been hurt while tackling Illinois' Mike Epstein. Illinois won 41-23. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Huskers' Miller expected to fully recover from spinal injury

Nov. 23, 2020 03:22 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

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) scores a touchdown past Rutgers linebacker Tyshon Fogg (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
McCourt's late field goal sends Illinois past Rutgers 23-20

By Matt Sugam Nov. 14, 2020 05:31 PM EST

A general view as Illinois takes on Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Illinois at Rutgers 11/14/2020

Nov. 14, 2020 02:45 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) scores during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Ibrahim's 4TDs carries Minnesota past Illini 41-14

Nov. 07, 2020 07:35 PM EST

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Minnesota at Illinois 11/7/2020

Nov. 07, 2020 05:37 PM EST

A photographer has his temperature checked as he arrives for an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Purdue Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Purdue at Illinois 10/31/2020

Oct. 31, 2020 10:57 AM EDT

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) is sacked by Iowa defensive linemen Jack Heflin (96) and Chauncey Golston (57) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue wary of Illini as Boilermakers try to go 2-0

By Terry Towery Oct. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

Connecticut wide receiver Ardell Brown (83) is stopped by Illinois defensive back Nate Hobbs (8) and Illinois defensive back Stanley Green (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Illini end nonconference road losing streak 31-23 over UConn

By Pat Eaton-Robb Sep. 07, 2019 07:02 PM EDT

Illini looks to snap nonconference road losing skid vs UConn

By Pat Eaton-Robb Sep. 06, 2019 09:23 AM EDT
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Illinois hasn't won a regular-season road game outside the Big Ten since 2007, but the Illini have a good chance to snap that streak...

Illinois's Mike Epstein (26) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Akron, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Illini running back has 3rd straight season-ending injury

Sep. 02, 2019 03:26 PM EDT