James McCourt
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

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

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) celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Rutgers tries to end 2-game skid against winless Illinois

Nov. 13, 2020 01:01 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) carries the ball as Purdue cornerback Cam Allen defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Gophers, Illini square off looking for first win of season

By Terry Towery Nov. 05, 2020 09:51 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) carries the ball as Purdue cornerback Cam Allen defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Purdue beats quarterback-depleted Illinois 31-24

By Terry Towery Oct. 31, 2020 03:50 PM EDT

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 45-7. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Column: Lawrence just wanted to play, now he must watch

By Paul Newberry Oct. 31, 2020 12:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe, second from right, celebrates with teammates including Donny Navarro (86) after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, in Champaign, Ill. Even after beating a Wisconsin team that was favored by 30 ½ points last year, Illinois heads into Madison as a 19 ½-point underdog as the two West Division rivals prepare to open the pandemic-delayed Big Ten season Friday night. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File)
Illinois seeking to surprise No. 14 Wisconsin one more time

By Steve Megargee Oct. 22, 2020 12:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 file photo, a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets player chooses a helmet in the second half of their NCAA college football game against the Pittsburgh Panthers on in Atlanta. Georgia Tech won 21-10. David Shanahan took an unusual path for an Irish teenager but landed a full scholarship to become a punter for Georgia Tech. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File)
Irish punter moving from dairy farm to Georgia Tech

By Ken Maguire Jun. 26, 2020 10:51 AM EDT

California quarterback Chase Garbers (7) hands off to running back DeShawn Collins (26) against Illinois during the second half of the Redbox Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Garbers big day leads Cal past Illinois in Redbox Bowl

By Michael Wagaman Dec. 30, 2019 07:52 PM EST

California's Wilcox looks for 1st bowl win against Illinois

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2019 10:10 AM EST
Redbox Bowl: California (7-5) at Illinois (6-6), Monday at 4 p.m. EST (Fox). Line: California by 6½. Series record:...

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson, right, scores on a 2-yard touchdown run ahead of Illinois defensive back Stanley Green, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 19 Iowa shuts down Illinois 19-10 behind Stanley, Duncan

Nov. 23, 2019 03:26 PM EST

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Illinois storms back to beat Michigan State 37-34

By Noah Trister Nov. 09, 2019 07:57 PM EST

Illinois place kicker James McCourt (17) kicks a field goal out of the hold of punter Blake Hayes (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Fighting Illini splash through rain for 24-6 win at Purdue

By Michael Marot Oct. 26, 2019 03:32 PM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs against West Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Oct. 19, 2019 09:10 PM EDT

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Illinois stuns No. 6 Wisconsin with last-second FG

By The Associated Press Oct. 19, 2019 04:50 PM EDT

Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe, second from right, celebrates with teammates including Donny Navarro (86) after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct.19, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 24-21. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Illinois stuns No. 6 Wisconsin 24-23 on last-second FG

By Terry Towery Oct. 19, 2019 04:03 PM 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