Tati’s Take: California-Illinois could be a match made in heaven
December 29, 2019
At the start of the 2019 season, California and Illinois had vastly different outlooks. The Bears were looking for post season redemption after losing to Texas Christian University at the Cheez-It Bowl in 2018. But the Illini were looking to make it to the postseason. California started its season 4-0 with w...
Player notes and grades: Braggin’ Rights 2019
By Alec Busse, Contributing Writer
December 22, 2019
Illinois didn't look like a team that had recently upset a top-5 program during Saturday's annual Braggin' Rights game against Mizzou. The Illini fell to the Tigers 63-56 and split the series for the decade. Illinois has experienced a litter of ups and downs since Braggin' Rights conception in 1980,...
An open letter to Illini football seniors
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
December 2, 2019
Dear Illinois football seniors, It’s time to say goodbye to Zuppke Field and move onto whatever lies beyond. Almost four years ago, Illinois hired head coach Lovie Smith, although most of you were recruited by the Bill Cubit-Tim Beckman team. You took a chance on this guy because, well, he’s forme...
Don’t count Illinois football out of a bowl game
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
November 4, 2019
In the last few weeks, I’ve received feedback on some of my columns about the state of Illinois football over the past few years. Some will say this is the worst half-century of Illini football they’ve seen, but it looks like things are coming around. Others will say no matter what Illinois does n...
Illinois basketball has room for improvement ahead of Tuesday’s regular-season opener
By Gabby Hajduk, Staff Writer
November 4, 2019
After a slow start to last Friday’s exhibition game against Lewis, Illinois showed flashes of how the rest of the season could look in a 33-point blowout win. The Illini officially begin their season on Tuesday when they host the Nicholls State Colonels. A member of the Southland Conference, Nichol...
Why we love Illinois
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
October 21, 2019
We don’t care that Illinois isn’t doing well right now. We say we don't care, but if we actually didn't, we would stop watching the games. We care about the amazing place that is Illinois, and we care about the family that comes with being an Illini fan. We didn’t go to the homecoming game wi...
Illini must become cohesive unit to succeed
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
October 14, 2019
I am not going to say this was unexpected; we knew the outcome of this game before it even started. Everyone predicted it; Michigan is a good team. Brandon Peters was our best bet against a team like Michigan, and he was out for the game on concussion protocol. Matt Robinson and Isaiah Williams...
Illinois continues to preach greatness, still isn’t doing enough
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
October 7, 2019
Each week it’s the same old story: Illinois starts off the game strong, something spectacular happens, then they eventually start to choke, and in the end, they lose. I am sick and tired of watching it happen, and I am sure everyone is sick and tired of reading the same thing. The only thing that ever c...
Defensive failures continue to plague Illini entering week six
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
September 30, 2019
“Defense wins championships” is how the old saying goes. But when the defense comes up short, there often is a need for revision. Illinois Football head coach Lovie Smith said since the end of training camp, improving the defense was a top priority. “A lot of us, including me, need to do a better job,” Smi...
Illini make progress, still choke from pressure against Cornhuskers
By Tatiania Perry, Columnist
September 23, 2019
Before ESPN could even send out their game-start alert, Reggie Corbin was in the endzone after a 66-yard run. In those 48 seconds, the student section was as full as I’ve seen it in my four years. In 48 seconds, all the doubt fans had on twitter vanished, and for once fans wondered if the Illini had been...
Illini fans acknowledge unrealistic expectations after devastating loss
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
September 16, 2019
Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, according to Einstein. Example: Saying the Illini will begin their season 3-0 for the fourth straight year only to be disappointed. Disappointment: Sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one’s hopes o...
Football is a negotiation
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
September 9, 2019
Have you ever bought a car or negotiated anything? At first, you see the original price and you aren’t happy at all. You then send back a lower price, and the company pretends to be upset but ends up lower the price. There is a pull and tug until eventually, both you and the car dealership are a little...
