Blake Hayes
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

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey, left, and Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) go after the ball following a bad snap in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Nebraska recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illini win 2nd in row 41-23 over turnover-plagued Huskers

By Eric Olson Nov. 21, 2020 03:54 PM 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

The seats at Camp Randall Stadium are empty as players warm up before an NCAA college football game between Wisconsin and Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Illinois at Wisconsin 10/23/2020

Oct. 23, 2020 07:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2018, file photo, Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek (37) heads to the end zone with a 42-yard touchdown against Western Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Groshek ran for 194 yards on 42 carries and caught 29 passes for 289 yards last season. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
It's almost 'go time' for Big Ten; Buckeyes favored again

By Eric Olson Oct. 14, 2020 11:58 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Iowa place kicker Keith Duncan (3) celebrates with teammate Colten Rastetter after kicking a 45-yard field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Iowa City, Iowa. Duncan was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Ohio State leads the pack in AP All-Big Ten top honors

By Eric Olson Dec. 11, 2019 12:06 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2017, file photo, Illinois punter Blake Hayes (14) kicks the ball during an NCAA college football game against Indiana, in Champaign, Ill. Hayes was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Conference team, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Bradley Leeb, File)
Indiana at Illinois 11/11/2017

Dec. 11, 2019 11:34 AM EST

Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) attempts a catch in the end zone as Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt (5) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. Also shown is Illinois' Daniel Barker (87). (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Nebraska slips past Illinois 42-38 in conference opener

By Terry Towery Sep. 22, 2019 12:28 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Illinois punter Blake Hayes (14) punts the ball during an NCAA college football game against Western Kentucky, in Champaign, Ill. The Big Ten Conference knows the value of having good punters, and they are sometimes willing to go a long way to get them. Hayes is a former Australian rules football player who trained at ProKick Australia before coming to the United States. (AP Photo/Bradley Leeb, File)
Western Kentucky at Illinois 9/9/2017

Sep. 19, 2019 03:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2019, file photo, Iowa punter Michael Sleep-Dalton celebrates at the end of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Ames, Iowa. The Big Ten Conference knows the value of having good punters, and they are sometimes willing to go a long way to get them. Sleep-Dalton is a former Australian rules football player who trained at ProKick Australia before coming to the United States. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Big Ten has some of nation's top punters, and 4 Australians

By Tom Canavan Sep. 19, 2019 03:55 PM EDT