Chase Brown
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 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

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Big Ten preview: Spartans visit Ohio State for key East game

By Eric Olson Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 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 quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws the ball during pregame warmups prior to an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Illinois at Minnesota 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 11:49 AM 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

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 - In this Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, file photo, Buffalo safety E.J. Brown, left, linebacker Caleb Tate, linebacker Shaun Dolac and defensive end Max Michel celebrate a special teams play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Coastal Carolina in Amherst, N.Y. Buffalo is back on top of the Mid-American Conference sacks chart after its school-record performance against Akron, on Saturday, Oct. 23. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
STAT WATCH: Buffalo's 11 sacks are most in FBS since 2019

By Eric Olson Oct. 25, 2021 02:17 AM 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

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

Illinois running back Chase Brown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Charlotte Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 24-14. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY: Tide's Robinson runs for 4 TDs

By The Associated Press Oct. 02, 2021 10:07 PM EDT

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) hands the ball off to Illinois running back Chase Brown for an 80-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Charlotte Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 24-14. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chase Brown's 257 yards, 2 TDs leads Illinois past Charlotte

By Terry Towery Oct. 02, 2021 03:32 PM EDT

Charlotte wide receiver Elijah Spencer catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Reynolds as Illinois defensive back Tony Adams defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charlotte at Illinois 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 01:33 PM EDT