Bret Bielema
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

Northwestern running back Andrew Clair (11) runs ahead of Purdue's Branson Deen (58) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Purdue won 32-14.(AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Illinois looks to keep bowl hopes alive against Northwestern

By Terry Towery Nov. 26, 2021 03:18 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

Illinois running back Chase Brown (2) carries the ball against Minnesota during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Minneapolis. Illinois won 14-6. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
No. 18 Iowa clings to West hopes entering game with Illini

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 07:49 PM EST

FILE - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, right, watches his players walk off the field including quarterback Brandon Peters (18) after the team's 20-14 loss to Rutgers in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (Bielema has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his team's game at No. 18 Iowa on Saturday. Bielema said Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, he was tested for the virus Monday night after developing mild symptoms during the day.AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Without Bielema, Illini out to end No. 18 Iowa's dominance

By John Bohnenkamp Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 AM EST

FILE - University of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Bielema has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his team's game at No. 18 Iowa on Saturday. Bielema said Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, he was tested for the virus Monday night after developing mild symptoms during the day. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
Illini's Bielema positive for COVID-19, will miss Iowa game

Nov. 16, 2021 10:32 AM 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

Minnesota linebacker Jack Gibbens (47) stops Nebraska running back Rahmir Johnson (14) on a run in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 30-23. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Division-leading Gophers give stout run 'D' test vs. Illini

By Dave Campbell Nov. 04, 2021 01:21 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

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral is hit by Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Vedral left the game for medical attention but returned later. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois State at Western Illinois 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 01:33 PM EDT

Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (5) breaks up a pass intended for Illinois wide receiver Casey Washington (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Illinois defeated Penn State 20-18 in nine overtimes. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Illinois has chance to show growth against Rutgers

By Terry Towery Oct. 28, 2021 12:47 PM EDT

FILE - Illinois quarterback Artur Sitkowski looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Sitkowski will miss the rest of the season after breaking his left arm against Penn State, and Brandon Peters will start the Illini's home game against Rutgers on Saturday. Coach Bret Bielema announced Monday, Oct. 25, that Sitkowski would have surgery on his arm Wednesday and have another operation in two to four weeks to correct a chronic problem in his right shoulder. Bielema said Sitkowski would miss spring practice and should be full strength next fall.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Illini QB Artur Sitkowski out for season with broken arm

Oct. 26, 2021 10:57 AM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) holds the ball in the air while scoring a touchdown against Kansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: CFP race of Big 12 incoming, outgoing

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 23, 2021 09:18 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 wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (13) celebrates with Jahan Dotson (5) after catching a first quarter touchdown pass against Illinois during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Illinois at Penn State 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 02:01 PM EDT

FILE - Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) passes against Indiana in the first half of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., in this Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, file photo. The key matchup in fourth-ranked Penn State's showdown with No. 3 Iowa pits the Nittany Lions' passing combo of Sean Clifford and Jahan Dotson against a defense that leads the nation with 12 interceptions.(AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
No. 7 Penn State, Illinois deal with QB injuries

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2021 02:41 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

Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor (3) as Devon Witherspoon also defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin uses running game to roll over Illinois 24-0

Terry Towery Oct. 09, 2021 07:15 PM EDT

Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor (3) as Devon Witherspoon also defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin at Illinois 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 05:01 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Chase Wolf throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Struggling Wisconsin looks to bounce back against Illinois

By Terry Towery Oct. 07, 2021 03:23 PM EDT