Illinois Fighting Illini
FILE - The Big 12 Conference logo is seen during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game between Missouri and the Western Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in Columbia, Mo. The Big 12 will have 14 teams this fall, with BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF coming in a year before Oklahoma and Texas, the league's only current members with national titles, make their move to the Southeastern Conference. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Western Illinois-Missouri 9/17/2011

Apr. 27, 2023 12:31 PM EDT

FILE - Nebraska NCAA college football head coach Matt Rhule smiles during an introductory press conference, Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Rhule is attempting to turn around a program that hasn't had a winning season since 2016.(AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz, File)
Harbaugh leaves spring with 'best version' of Wolverines yet

By Eric Olson Apr. 27, 2023 10:09 AM EDT

FILE - Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to pass against Colorado during an NCAA college football game Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. Penix has opted to put off the NFL for another year and college football's leading passer leads the No. 12 Huskies against No. 21 Texas in the Alamo Bowl. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
STAT WATCH: FBS rushing title is 3rd straight for Air Force

By Eric Olson Jan. 09, 2023 11:11 PM EST

Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett holds up the trophy after the team defeated Illinois to win the ReliaQuest Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Mississippi St's Arnett promotes Brock to DC, hires 2 others

Jan. 04, 2023 07:02 PM EST

Mississippi State running back Jo'quavious Marks and the rest of the team wear stickers on their helmets in honor of former coach Mike Leach during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Leach passed away Dec. 13, 2022, from a heart condition. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Mississippi St rallies to win ReliaQuest Bowl, honors Leach

By Mark Didtler Jan. 02, 2023 04:14 PM EST

Current football players enter the memorial service for their late Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach, at Humphrey Coliseum on the university's campus in Starkville, Miss., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Leach died, Dec. 12, 2022, from complications related to a heart condition at 61. He was in his third year as head coach. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
No. 24 Mississippi State faces Illinois with heavy hearts

By Mark Didtler Jan. 01, 2023 10:53 AM EST

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, left, reflects on impact on his life by the late Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach, while linebacker Nathaniel Watson, waits to speak during Leach's memorial service in Starkville, Miss., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Leach died, Dec. 12, 2022, from complications related to a heart condition at 61. He was in his third year as head coach. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Miss. State faces Illinois in 1st game since death of Leach

By The Associated Press Jan. 01, 2023 10:51 AM EST

Illinois defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters looks on before an NCAA college football game against Northwestern on Nov. 26, 2022 in Evanston, Ill. Purdue announced Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, they had hired Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters as their head coach less than a week after Brohm left for his alma mater, Louisville. (Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette via AP)
Black head coaches in FBS drop slightly heading into 2023

By Paul Newberry Dec. 21, 2022 12:44 PM EST

FILE - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema watches against Michigan in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Illinois signed coach Bret Bielema to a new six-year contract through 2028 on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, a big reward for transforming a struggling program into a winner in his second season. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Illinois rewards Bielema with new contract through 2028

Dec. 20, 2022 02:34 PM EST

Purdue football head coach Ryan Walters speaks during a press conference introducing him as the new head coach, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Kozuch Football Performance Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. (Alex Martin /Journal & Courier via AP)
Walters begins Purdue tenure by promising points, defense

By Michael Marot Dec. 14, 2022 03:25 PM EST

Purdue University Director of Athletics Mike Bobinski addresses the football head coach position opening during a press conference, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.(Alex Martin/Journal & Courier via AP)
Purdue hires Illini coordinator Ryan Walters as new coach

By Michael Marot Dec. 13, 2022 10:59 AM EST

FILE - Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell runs on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Campbell was named AP All-Big Ten Defensive player of the year, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
2022 Associated Press All-America Team

Dec. 12, 2022 01:44 PM EST

FILE - Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Anderson was selected to The Associated Press All-America team released Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
USC's Williams, Alabama's Anderson lead AP All-America team

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 12, 2022 12:02 PM EST

North Dakota State runs over Samford 27-9, into semifinals

Dec. 09, 2022 10:57 PM EST
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Cam Miller threw for a first-half touchdown and ran for a second to lead third-seeded North Dakota State to a 27-9 win over Samford in a Football...

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) is tackled by Illinois linebacker Kenenna Odeluga and Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. Illinois won 41-3. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
ReliaQuest Bowl: High-flying Mississippi St vs stingy Illini

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2022 07:54 PM EST

Johnson, Bison roll over Montana 49-26 in FCS playoffs

Dec. 03, 2022 07:58 PM EST
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Kobe Johnson ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Cam Miller also ran for two scores and third-seeded North Dakota State pounded...

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm questions a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Purdue opens Big Ten title preparations without starting QB

By Michael Marot Nov. 28, 2022 04:58 PM EST

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell looks on in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Fickell leaves Cincinnati to take over as Wisconsin's coach

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 27, 2022 12:13 PM EST

Illinois offensive lineman Alex Palczewski runs on the field with the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Illinois defeated Northwestern 41-3 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois rips Northwestern, falls short in Big Ten West bid

By Matt Carlson Nov. 26, 2022 07:06 PM EST

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) leaps for a gain as he runs against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Purdue defeated Northwestern 17-9. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Illinois seeks win over Northwestern plus help to win West

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2022 12:15 PM EST