Matt Robinson
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

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey runs on a keeper against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Big Ten West clinched, Northwestern eyes win over Illinois

By The Associated Press Dec. 10, 2020 04:11 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Rutgers tries to end 2-game skid against winless Illinois

Nov. 13, 2020 01:01 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) scores during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Ibrahim's 4TDs carries Minnesota past Illini 41-14

Nov. 07, 2020 07:35 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) carries the ball as Purdue cornerback Cam Allen defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Gophers, Illini square off looking for first win of season

By Terry Towery Nov. 05, 2020 09:51 PM EST

Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) carries the ball as Purdue cornerback Cam Allen defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Purdue beats quarterback-depleted Illinois 31-24

By Terry Towery Oct. 31, 2020 03:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, Romania's Simona Halep plays a shot against Poland's Iga Swiatek in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France. Simona Halep said Saturday Oct. 31, 2020, that she has tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, FILE)
The Latest: Illinois QB Peters among 2 to test positive

By The Associated Press Oct. 31, 2020 12:31 PM EDT

Northwestern wide receiver Riley Lees (19) catches a touchdown pass as Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown (30) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Champaign , Ill. Northwestern won 29-10. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Northwestern upsets rival Illinois 29-10

By Terry Towery Nov. 30, 2019 03:50 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Andrew Marty (7) celebrates with teammate Jared Thomas (65) after rushing for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Evanston, Ill. Minnesota won 38-22. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Illinois hopes to tame Wildcats, move up in bowl spot

By Terry Towery Nov. 29, 2019 04:00 AM EST

Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun (56) returns an interception for a touchdown against Michigan State wide receiver C.J. Hayes (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 38-0. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 6 Wisconsin hits the road against underdog Illinois

By Terry Towery Oct. 18, 2019 11:21 AM EDT

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor celebrates a touchdown against Michigan State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 38-0. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 6 Wisconsin looks to dominate Illinois

By The Associated Press Oct. 17, 2019 02:02 PM EDT

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (22) carries on a 57-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Burrow brings No. 5 Tigers back to beat No. 7 Florida 42-28

By The Associated Press Oct. 12, 2019 06:41 PM EDT

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson (2) keeps his eye on a receiver as he is pressured by Illinois' Bobby Roundtree (97) in the second half of an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
No. 16 Michigan needs late surge to beat Illinois 42-25

By Terry Towery Oct. 12, 2019 05:54 PM EDT

No. 16 Michigan needs late surge to beat Illinois 42-25

By Terry Towery Oct. 12, 2019 05:02 PM EDT
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Hassan Haskins ran for 125 yards and a touchdown, Zach Charbonnet had 116 yards rushing, and No. 16 Michigan needed a late surge to put away...

Illinois' Sydney Brown (30) wraps up Michigan's Tru Wilson (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
No. 16 Michigan needs late surge to hold off Illinois 42-25

By Terry Towery Oct. 12, 2019 04:28 PM EDT

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) passes against Minnesota in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
No. 16 Michigan aims to fine tune shaky offense at Illinois

By Larry Lage Oct. 11, 2019 02:18 AM EDT

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) passes against Minnesota in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
No. 16 Michigan hopes to find groove at Illinois

By The Associated Press Oct. 10, 2019 04:24 PM EDT

Rodney Smith, Gophers run over Illinois on way to 40-17 win

By Brian Hall Oct. 05, 2019 07:10 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tanner Morgan saw the defense sink towards the line of scrimmage preparing to stop Minnesota's surging rushing attack. The Gophers quarterback...

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2018, 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)
Illinois confident going into home opener vs Zips

By Terry Towery Aug. 30, 2019 03:00 AM EDT

Illinois names grad transfer Brandon Peters starting QB

Aug. 20, 2019 05:44 PM EDT
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Former Michigan quarterback Brandon Peters has been named the starter for the season opener Aug. 31 at home against Akron. ...