Sports columnist shares game day rituals off field
By Tatiania Perry, Staff Writer
September 19, 2019
I love the ritual of game day and the preparation that starts days in advance and the almost mechanic way we prepare for games. For me, game day begins about three days before kickoff. As a student, I have access to the football players’ social media, most importantly, Instagram stories and Snapcha...
Illini look to win against Cornhuskers
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
September 19, 2019
On the heels of a disappointing home loss to Eastern Michigan, Illinois opens up Big Ten play hosting Nebraska under the lights Saturday night. Though the end result was less than ideal, senior running back Reggie Corbin returned from injury and made a splash. Though the Illini offense surpassed the 3...
Corbin finds escape in poetry off football field
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
September 19, 2019
During the season, he bounces around the backfield, breaks through tackles and rushes for touchdowns. In the offseason, he’s listening to spoken word and putting pen to paper. For Reggie Corbin, it’s about poetry on and off the field. It’s the way people use words that attracts Corbin to poetr...
Illini drop nail biter against Eagles
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
September 16, 2019
So close, and yet so far. With 12 minutes left, it looked insurmountable. The crowd sat silently in frustration, hoping for something big in the closing minutes. At seven minutes, it looked promising. At two minutes to go, the screams from Memorial Stadium could be heard all throughout campus. But ...
Notes and grades from Illinois’ 34-31 loss against Eastern Michigan
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
September 16, 2019
The opportunity for the Illini to achieve its first 3-0 start under head coach Lovie Smith teetered back and forth on Saturday, but Illinois ultimately came up short, falling 34-31 to Eastern Michigan. Offensively, the Illini started out hot but suddenly lost all momentum, largely due to penalties, in...
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...
Betiku finds support in family, dreams of bowl game win
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
September 12, 2019
It’s been six years since Oluwole Betiku Jr. has seen his family. He sends his parents his highlights since they can’t watch his games from their home in Nigeria. His parents aren’t overly familiar with gridiron football, so Betiku usually explains the game. But even though they don’t have all the X...
New recruits show promise for Illini
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
September 12, 2019
This offseason, Illinois dipped into the graduate transfer market on several occasions – none bigger than the additions of quarterback Brandon Peters from Michigan and defensive end Oluwole Betiku from Southern California. Both have been key contributors thus far, leading Illinois to victory at Connect...
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...
Illinois win against Connecticut reflects team’s perserverance
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
September 9, 2019
It wasn’t pretty at times, but in the end, it was enough to secure a victory. Recapping his team’s 31-23 win at Connecticut, Lovie Smith didn’t want to lose sight of a win despite not everything going his team’s way. “When you win, you’re disappointed a little in your play, that was the case,...
Illinois vs. Connecticut game notes
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
September 9, 2019
The Illini finally ended their road woes, defeating the Connecticut Huskies 31-23 in a game where momentum swung like a pendulum. “It’s tough winning on the road,” said head coach Lovie Smith. “We did enough things that could cause you to lose, but at the same time it takes a lot to play thr...
Illinois defeats Connecticut 31-23
By Miles Powers-Huang, Staff Writer
September 7, 2019
Despite a slow start, Illinois rebounded Saturday and held on for a 31-23 victory at Connecticut for the program’s first non-conference road win since 2007. The Illini’s opening offensive possession resulted in a pick-6, as the Huskies’ Tyler Coyle jumped a telegraphed quick slant pass from Brando...
