Illinois struggles to recruit in-state prospects
By Alec Busse, Assistant Video Editor
April 3, 2020
Lovie Smith became the head football coach at Illinois in the spring of 2016. Because of the timing of his hiring, Smith’s first recruiting class came in 2017. In his three full recruiting classes, only 20 players have come from in-state high schools. In the 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes...
Transfer portal helps Illini fill needs
By Alec Busse, Video Editor
March 19, 2020
On Friday, the NCAA restricted on- and off-campus recruiting visits, handcuffing the Illini's football recruiting efforts on the transfer market. Last season, Illinois found lots of success in the transfer portal, including its starting quarterback (Brandon Peters), a pair of starting wide receivers (J...
Illinois football ranks last in offseason recruiting following Redbox Bowl
By Nathan DeHaan, Staff Writer
February 13, 2020
Feb. 5 was a monumental day for college football programs around the country. National Signing Day is one of the last major dates for college football recruiting. It rounds out each class, putting on display who did well on the recruiting trail and who didn’t do so well. However, Illinois was among one of the teams...
Illinois Athletics announces football coaching staff changes
By Daily Illini Sports Staff
January 18, 2020
Illinois Athletics and head coach Lovie Smith announced changes to the football program's coaching staff on Friday. Illinois football defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach Gill Byrd has chosen to leave the program, but Alfred Davis and Jimmy Lindsey will join the staff as defensive...
Betiku declares for the NFL Draft
By Brendyn Jones, Staff Writer
January 11, 2020
The third-team All-Big Ten defensive lineman Oluwole Betiku Jr. has declared for the NFL draft after just one season with the Illini. Betiku Jr. announced his decision on Saturday via Twitter. “I’d like to announce that I will forego my senior season and declare for the NFL draft.” Betiku Jr. s...
2019 Rewind: A look back at Illinois’ fall season
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
January 5, 2020
As the whistle blew at the end of the fourth quarter in Illinois' 35-20 loss to California on Dec. 31 in the Redbox Bowl, the 2019 season drew to a close. Before looking ahead to 2020, it’s worth reminiscing over the Illini’s performance this fall, as the program had its most successful season i...
Tati’s Take: Redbox was a rollercoaster
By Tatiania Perry, Football Columnist
December 31, 2019
Levi Stadium sits on the same lot as Santa Clara, California’s Great America. At the peak of the highest coaster, one might be able to catch a glimpse of what's going on in the stadium and the sounds from both places can certainly be heard from the other. The amusement park was closed during the Redbox Bo...
Notes and Grades: Illinois v. California in the Redbox Bowl
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
December 30, 2019
Back during Illinois’ Spring Game in April, there weren’t many people who felt entirely optimistic about Illini football. Anyone watching could’ve pointed out the defensive troubles, passing game struggles or repeated roster turnover over the last few years. The records, and game scores associated w...
Peter’s fourth down dive embodies Illini attitudes into 2020
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
December 30, 2019
Fourth and 17, less than two minutes remaining and Illinois is trailing by two possessions. Such circumstances would indicate that it's time to pack it up, play conservative and not risk injuries, especially to players with remaining eligibility. Illini quarterback Brandon Peters had other ideas,...
California handles Illinois 35-20 in Redbox Bowl
By JJ Kim, Managing Editor for Reporting
December 30, 2019
The Illinois football team lost to the California Golden Bears by a score of 35-20 in the Redbox Bowl on Monday. Monday’s game was the Illini’s first time in five years playing in a bowl game, and the Illini faithful were loud and jubilant from the start, but a lack of a consistent pass rush and...
Redbox Bowl Halftime Report: California leads Illinois 21-13
By JJ Kim, Managing Editor for Reporting
December 30, 2019
The Redbox Bowl is the Illini’s first time in five years playing in a bowl game, and the Illini faithful were loud and jubilant from the start, but trail the California Golden Bears at halftime 21-13. To open up the game, junior linebacker Milo Eifler sacked Cal quarterback Chase Garbers on the...
