Illinois Fighting Illini
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Illinois' new football coach Bret Bielema and his family were introduced to the media outside the Smith Center on UI campus in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 20 , 2020. Bielema saw a unique opportunity to accelerate a turnaround at Illinois when he returned to college football as head coach of the Illini in December. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP, File)
College football super seniors could change fortunes in 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Feb. 28, 2021 12:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2017, file photo, Illinois offensive lineman Doug Kramer (65) blocks during an NCAA college football game against Rutgers in Champaign, Ill. For a program that has not had a winning record since 2011 and has reached the postseason just twice in that time, the hope is that Alex Palczewski, fellow linemen Kramer and Vederian Lowe and the super class will power a long awaited breakthrough in Champaign. (AP Photo/Bradley Leeb, File)
Rutgers at Illinois 10/14/2017

Feb. 28, 2021 08:01 AM EST

FILE - Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. The National signing day period begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Terps' hope top-20 recruit class brings improvement on field

By Eric Olson Feb. 03, 2021 06:28 PM EST

SMU names veteran coach Leavitt as new defensive coordinator

Jan. 27, 2021 05:33 PM EST
DALLAS (AP) — Veteran coach Jim Leavitt has been named defensive coordinator at SMU. It is the fourth college for Leavitt as a defensive...

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 Jan. 26, 2018, file photo, Shane Beamer, then-assistant football coach at Oklahoma, speaks during a news conference in Norman, Okla. South Carolina's Shane Beamer hasn't had the smooth start every first-time football coach dreams about after getting the job. (Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP, File)
New coach Beamer completes his South Carolina football staff

Jan. 22, 2021 04:38 PM EST

Quarterback Peters to return for 3rd season at Illinois

Dec. 29, 2020 02:45 PM EST
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters will return for a third season with the Illini and play for new coach Bret Bielema, the team...

Wisconsin players celebrate with the Paul Bunyan Axe after they defeated Minnesota in overtime of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Wisconsin's Mertz looks to get back on track vs Wake Forest

By Steve Reed Dec. 29, 2020 11:17 AM 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

University of Illinois' new football coach Bret Bielema and his family were introduced to the media outside the Smith Center on UI campus in Champaign, Ill. on Sunday, Dec. 20 , 2020. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette via AP)
New Illinois coach to make homegrown talent a priority

By Terry Towery Dec. 21, 2020 05:45 PM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws a second quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Jahan Dotson as Illinois linebacker Milo Eifler (5) rushes him during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Dotson paces Penn State in win over Illinois

By Travis Johnson Dec. 19, 2020 09:18 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2017 file photo, Arkansas coach Bret Bielema wipes away tears as the senior players are introduced for the team's NCAA college football game against Missouri in Fayetteville, Ark. Bielema is returning to the Big Ten and his home state to coach Illinois. Illinois hired the former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach, hoping he can turn around a program with nine straight losing seasons. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Missouri at Arkansas 11/24/2017

Dec. 19, 2020 09:51 AM EST

FILE - In this Nov 24, 2017 file photo, Bret Bielema speaks with reporters beneath Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. Bielema is returning to the Big Ten and his home state to coach Illinois. Illinois hired the former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach, hoping he can turn around a program with nine straight losing seasons. (AP Photo/Kelly P. Kissel)
Illinois hires Bielema as coach to lift struggling program

By Andy Seligman Dec. 19, 2020 09:13 AM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Parker Washington (3) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. Penn State defeated Michigan State 39-24. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State, Illinois ready to close out regular season

By Travis Johnson Dec. 17, 2020 05:34 PM EST

FILE - Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Pat Fitzgerald figures he'll add a few more gray hairs by the time No. 15 Northwestern steps on the field to face No. 3 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 19. Then again, if Northwestern wins? “Not gonna lie to you, it would be a helluva ride home on I-65,” Fitzgerald said. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Big Ten Champions Week has game for title and 4 on undercard

By Eric Olson Dec. 17, 2020 01:44 AM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey throws a pass against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
For Northwestern, Big Ten title game follows big turnaround

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 16, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, left, and Illinois head coach Lovie Smith shakes hands after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. Iowa won 35-21. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois fires coach Lovie Smith after 5 seasons

Dec. 13, 2020 12:56 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

Northwestern running back Jesse Brown (1) celebrates with teammates as he holds the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Northwestern defeated Illinois 28-10 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois at Northwestern 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 03:27 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey is tackled by Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Porter leads way as No. 15 Northwestern runs over Illinois

By Andrew Seligman Dec. 12, 2020 03:24 PM EST