Owen Carney Jr.
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

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo, Indiana head coach Tom Allen looks toward his players on the sideline during a break in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Bloomington, Ind. Allen is coach of the year on the Associated Press All-Big Ten football team. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
AP All-Big Ten: Ohio State's Fields, Indiana's Allen honored

By Eric Olson Dec. 22, 2020 12:00 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. 25 Wisconsin at No. 19 Iowa in Big Ten's premier game

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 06:04 AM 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

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illinois at Nebraska 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 11:51 AM 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

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2019, file photo, Illinois running back Mike Epstein gets away from Rutgers defensive back Kiy Hester on the way to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Piscataway, N.J. Epstein is back this year and ready to go, head coach Lovie Smith said. (AP Photo/David Boe, File)
Illini cite improvement, look to better 4-8 record

By Terry Towery Aug. 13, 2019 02:09 PM EDT