Reports: Big Ten cancels 2020 college football season
By Josh Pietsch, Staff Writer
August 10, 2020
The Big Ten will reportedly not be playing college football this fall. After just four days of official training camp, the Big Ten Conference has postponed their 2020 Fall sports season, according to a report by the Detroit Free Press. The report came Monday morning after several meetings between Big Ten Presidents throughout the past few days. The Big Te...
Illini begin training camp with promising offense despite season uncertainties
By Josh Pietsch, Staff Writer
August 9, 2020
With an offense expected to shine with 10 conference games to play, Illinois has a lot to look forward to this upcoming football season. Despite numerous amounts of uncertainty regarding the 2020 season, the Illini have begun training camp and are preparing for their season opener on Sept. 3. Although ...
College athletes demand protections amid pandemic
By Carson Gourdie, Assistant Sports Editor
August 5, 2020
COVID-19 has taken the sports world by storm since March, dramatically changing the landscape. Three of the four major professional leagues had to postpone seasons while the country was under lockdown. The NBA had to create a bubble down in Orlando in order to keep players safe while the MLB has struggle...
Big Ten releases revised 2020 football schedule
By Gabby Hajduk, Sports Editor
August 5, 2020
The Big Ten announced the revised 2020 football schedule Wednesday morning via a press release. The 10-game conference-only slate will begin on Sept. 3 and is set to end on Nov. 21, with an open date for Nov. 28 to provide flexibility. Each Big Ten team will have two open weeks, allowing for games to...
Hansen, turnovers will lead Illini defense this fall
By Carson Gourdie, Assistant Sports Editor
August 4, 2020
Last season, Illinois senior linebacker Jake Hansen experienced a breakout season with 72 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception — and this was in only nine games. Hansen, along with LB Dele Harding and others, helped transform Illinois into ...
Illinois athletics releases COVID-19 summer testing results
By Claire O'Brien, Staff Writer
August 3, 2020
Illinois athletics released COVID-19 testing results for the summer Monday through a press release. Illinois was one of the last schools in the Big Ten to do so. The school announced there were 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst student-athletes throughout the summer, and football accounted for ov...
Big Ten moves to conference only fall schedule
By Carson Gourdie, Assistant Sports Editor
July 9, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has officially hit Power Five football. The Big Ten, most likely, has decided to enact a conference-only schedule for all fall sports as the conference tries to eliminate long distance traveling and have a universal method for testing its athletes. Multiple sources within...
Illinois’ LB Eifler questions college football season
By Carson Gourdie, Assistant Sports Editor
July 3, 2020
As the football season approaches, more and more collegiate players are asked to return to their respective campuses to get ready for the season opener, albeit coronavirus cases are going through the roof. States like Florida are consistently hitting over 5,000 new cases daily and even hit 10,00...
Hernandez sees progress in top players
By Carson Gourdie, Assistant Sports Editor
June 26, 2020
In just over two months, Illinois expects to run out of the tunnels to take on in-state foe Illinois State — albeit in front of a mere 12,000 spectators. Nonetheless, before Peters and company can start fall practice or take their first snap of the much awaited 2020 season, the Illini must hit the...
Illini prepare for unprecedented season
By Carson Gourdie, Assistant Sports Editor
June 17, 2020
Coming off of its first bowl since 2014, the Illini expect to build off its foundation for a breakout season. With the twelfth most production coming back in the entire country, it appears Illinois has a chance to secure its first New Year’s Day bowl since 2008. But, like every other college footba...
Illini football continues May recruiting success
By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor
May 30, 2020
On Dec. 7, Illinois received their first commitment in their 2021 recruiting class — Samari Collier a three-star quarterback from DeSoto, Texas. Illinois would have to wait over just under five months for their second 2021 pledge, which came on May, 3, from Ga. defensive back Prince Green. However,...
Roundtree finds purpose, is determined to walk again
By Carson Gourdie, Assistant Sports Editor
May 23, 2020
Under blue skies and immense pressure, junior kicker James McCourt lines up for a 39-yard field goal down by two. A successful attempt results in a program-saving upset over the undefeated and No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers while cooling down Lovie Smith's hot seat talk. The ball is snapped, and McCourt drills the ...
