Donate to the DI!
Listen to WPGU 107.1 FM!
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Ben Somerville

Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter

Hello, I’m Ben! I am a junior and a Senior Sports Reporter. I’m majoring in journalism and minoring in advertising and recreation, sport and tourism. I started at The Daily Illini in the spring of 2024 as a Sports writer. I covered women’s golf in the fall of 2024 and women’s basketball this spring. In my free time, I enjoy reading, watching sports and playing golf. Feel free to reach out to my email below with any questions or comments.

Senior wide receiver Hank Beatty sprints down the sideline during the Illinois v. Rutgers game on Nov. 1.

Davis, Beatty earn All-Big Ten honors

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Dec 4, 2025
Senior linebacker Gabe Jacas stands on Zuppke Field at Gies Memorial Stadium pregame for Illinois’ game against Western Michigan on Sept. 13.

Jacas selected to All-Big Ten First Team

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Dec 4, 2025
Illinois inks 30 on National Signing Day

Illinois inks 30 on National Signing Day

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Dec 3, 2025
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema on the field during the game against Ohio State on Oct. 11.

Illinois to lose first players to transfer portal

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Dec 2, 2025
Sophomore running back Ca'Lil Valentine is lifted up by teammates after scoring a touchdown against Northwestern on Nov. 29.

Snow can’t slow Illinois as it retains possession of The Hat

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Nov 29, 2025
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the Illinois vs. Maryland game Nov. 15 at Gies Memorial Stadium.

Column | 3 bold predictions ahead of Illinois vs Wisconsin

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Nov 21, 2025
Senior defensive back Miles Scott celebrates a takeaway with senior linebacker Gabe Jacas during Illinois’ win over Maryland on Nov. 15.

Illini earn gritty win at home

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Nov 15, 2025
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer reaches out for the stiff-arm during the Illinois vs. Rutgers game on Nov. 1. Illinois would go on to win the game 35-13.

Career day earns Altmyer Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Nov 3, 2025
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer points to the sky in celebration following his rushing touchdown against Rutgers on Nov. 1.

Column: Notebook from Illinois’ win over Rutgers

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Nov 3, 2025
Junior running back Aidan Laughery embraces sophomore wide receiver Collin Dixon after his fourth quarter touchdown at the game versus No. 1 Ohio State University on Oct. 11. Laughery and Dixon scored the only two Illinois touchdowns of the game.

Season’s not over: Illinois back home after rough loss

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Oct 31, 2025
Senior wide receiver Hank Beatty stands in the endzone during warm ups at the game versus No. 1 Ohio State University on Oct. 11. The Buckeyes defeated the Illini 34-16.

Small-town players make big-time impact

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Oct 30, 2025
Senior sports reporter Ben Somerville and sports editor Brendan Gallian film a video reviewing the food provided in the press box at Gies Memorial Stadium on Oct. 11.

Eats of the beat: Best and worst press box food from this season

By Brendan Gallian and Ben Somerville • Oct 30, 2025
Head coach Bret Bielema gets ready to lead his field out on the field against Purdue on Oct. 2 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Illini’s playoff hopes trampled by Huskies

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Oct 25, 2025
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema paces in the endzone during warmups before the game vs. No. 1 Ohio State on Oct. 11.

Column: notebook from Illinois’ loss

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Oct 13, 2025
Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer warms up before the Illinois vs. Western Michigan on Sept. 13.

Goliath comes to town

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Oct 10, 2025
Linebacker Leon Lowery Jr. lifts the Cannon after Illinois beat Purdue 43-27 on Oct. 4.

No. 22 Illinois rolls over Purdue

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Oct 4, 2025
Illinois players, arm-in-arm, following the team’s win over Western Michigan on Aug. 29.

Who’s up next for Illinois?

By Ben Somerville and Brendan Gallian • Sep 30, 2025
Junior kicker David Olano winds up for a massive kick during the first football game of the 2024 season in Gies Memorial Stadium.

Olano’s big kick earns Big Ten honors

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Sep 29, 2025
Junior wide receiver Malik Elzy celebrates a catch during Illinois’ game against Western Illinois on Sept. 27.

Elzy to redshirt season

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Sep 27, 2025
Junior running back Aidan Laughery is lifted up by his teammates during Illinois’ game against Western Illinois on Aug. 29.

Illinois back home to face USC

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Sep 26, 2025
Illinois Football offense in huddle during game against Western Michigan on Sept. 13.

No. 9 Illinois stunned by No. 19 Indiana

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Sep 20, 2025
The Illinois offensive unit in huddle during the game against Western Michigan on Sept. 13.

Risers, fallers after Western Michigan matchup

By Ben Somerville and Brendan Gallian • Sep 17, 2025
Sophomore running back Ca’Lil Valentine jukes out defenders during Illinois’ game against Western Illinois on Aug. 29.

What to watch for against Western Michigan

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Sep 12, 2025
Senior wide receiver Hank Beatty warms up before playing Duke on Sep. 6 in Durham, North Carolina.

Beatty shines again as Illinois bests Duke

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Sep 6, 2025
Senior Wide Reciever and Punt Returner Hank Beatty returns a Western Illinois punt for 69 yards, breaking Red Grange's 102 year-old record.

Beatty’s efforts earn him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Sep 1, 2025
Running back Aidan Laughery runs onto the field before the Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois game on Aug. 24, 2024.

No. 12 Illinois set to kick off 2025 season

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Aug 29, 2025
The Illini rush out of the tunnel ahead of their game against the Purdue Boilermakers on Oct. 12, 2024.

Game-by-game predictions for the 2025 football season

By Brendan Gallian and Ben Somerville • Aug 28, 2025
Quarterback Luke Altmyer winds up for a big throw as players clash around him during the Illinois v Purdue football game on Oct. 12, 2024 in Memorial Stadium.

Strong 2024 season brings high expectations for Illinois football

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Jul 17, 2025
Redshirt freshman Declan Duley is filled with emotion as he lifts the Cannon after the Illinois vs. Purdue game on Oct. 12, 2024.

Illinois’ rivalries through the years

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Jul 17, 2025
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) reacts after scoring a 39-yard touchdown reception against Georgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium, Saturday, November 4, 2023, in Athens, Ga.

Column | Chicago Bears 2025 NFL draft grades

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • May 1, 2025
Illinois wide receiver Zakhari Franklin and teammates huddle during a game against Purdue, Oct. 12, 2024.

Zakhari Franklin signs with Las Vegas Raiders

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 27, 2025
Linebacker Seth Coleman runs out from the tunnel before a game against Purdue on Oct. 12, 2024.

Seth Coleman signs with Seattle Seahawks as undrafted free agent

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 26, 2025
Illinois hires Jackie Alexander as assistant coach

Illinois hires Jackie Alexander as assistant coach

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 24, 2025
Senior wide receiver Pat Bryant rushes towards the endzone for the first scoring touchdown of the last home game of the season against Michigan State on Nov. 16, 2024.

Previewing Illinois’ NFL hopefuls

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 23, 2025
Illinois grabs versatile guard in portal

Illinois grabs versatile guard in portal

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 13, 2025
Illinois lands Aaliyah Guyton

Illinois lands Aaliyah Guyton

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 12, 2025
Senior guard Adalia McKenzie and fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic celebrate during the game against Penn State on Feb. 13.

Year in review: Best moments from 2024-25 season

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 10, 2025
Guard Cori Allen congratulates forward Shay Bollin in a women's basketball game against St. Peters on Nov. 16, 2023.

Shay Bollin enters transfer portal

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 7, 2025
Sophomore guard Cori Allen dribbles the ball up the court during a game against Penn State on Feb. 14.

Cori Allen enters transfer portal

By Ben Somerville, Senior Sports Reporter • Apr 3, 2025
Fifth year forward Kendall Bostic boxes out after senior guard Adalia McKenzie shoots a free throw during a game against Penn State on Feb. 13, 2025.

Column | Earned another round

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 24, 2025
Forwards senior Brynn Shoup-Hill (left) and Kendal Bostic (right) in a huddle during a 77-68 win over Nebraska on Feb 16. The pair combined for 21 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Keep on dancing

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 22, 2025
The Illini link arms on the court in a show of unity during a game against Florida State on Feb. 13.

Illini place as No. 8 seed in NCAA tournament

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 16, 2025
The Illini bench celebrates a big shot in the second half of Illinois' victory over Nebraska on Feb. 16.

Column | Where Illinois may fall in Madness

By Brie Dirl and Ben Somerville • Mar 14, 2025
Illinois star wide receiver Pat Bryant goes through drills at Illinoisʼ Pro Day on Mar. 13.

Illinois holds Pro Day for NFL hopefuls

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 14, 2025
Senior guard Adalia McKenzie dribbles next to freshman guard Britt Prince in a game against Nebraska on Feb. 16.

No. 10 Nebraska upsets No. 7 Illinois in tournament opener

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 6, 2025
Illinois seniors and their families glance at the Jumbotron for their Senior Day ceremony on March 2.

Opinion | Player grades, notes after loss to Michigan

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 4, 2025
New England Patriots Director of Skill Development Joe Kim looks on during training camp at Gillette Stadium.

Illinois hires Joe Kim as skill development coordinator

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 3, 2025
Illinois has thrived on its veterans during an injury-filled season. The group is vocal and able to adapt to almost any situation it faced this year. That is shown here by fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic leading a team huddle during a victory over Nebraska on Feb. 16.

One last ride for Illinois’ seniors

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Mar 2, 2025
Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant fights for a loose ball against Nebraska on Feb. 16.

No. 25 Illinois drops second in a row

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 23, 2025
Sophomore guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger dribbles up the court against Nebraska on Feb. 16. The transfer reaggravated a leg injury in the first half and will miss time going forward.

No. 25 Illinois suffers another injury before No. 3 UCLA

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 20, 2025
The Illini stand side by side after their victory over the Penn State Lady Lions on Feb. 13.

Week 15 player grades for No. 25 Illinois

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 18, 2025
Senior guard Adalia McKenzie defends a Penn State guard during a game on Feb. 13.

McKenzie shines as Illinois collects 8th-straight win

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 16, 2025
Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant attempts a three-pointer during a 73-60 win over Northwestern on Feb. 6.

Illinois comes back against Penn State for seventh-straight victory

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 13, 2025
Senior guard Adalia McKenzie dives for a loose ball during a matchup against Nebraska on March 3, 2024.

Player grades, notes after 2-0 week for Illinois

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 11, 2025
Freshman forward Berry Wallace dribbles the ball down the court during a game against Northwestern on Feb. 6, 2024.

Wallace continues to establish herself as Illinois heads to Wisconsin

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 9, 2025
Senior guard Adalia McKenzie prepares to pass in a game against Northwestern on Feb. 8, 2024.

4 things to watch as Illinois takes on Northwestern

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 6, 2025
Trump signs ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ executive order

Trump signs ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’ executive order

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 5, 2025
Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant dribbles around the court during a game against Ohio State on Jan. 25, 2024.

Illinois outbattles No. 14 Maryland for third ranked win

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Feb 2, 2025
Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant dribbles in front of a Florida State defender on Nov. 3, 2024.

Highs, lows from Illinois’ overtime win over Rutgers

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 30, 2025
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic scans the court for an open Illini during a game against Stony Brook on March 24, 2024.

Kendall Bostic overtakes Jenna Smith as Illinois’ all-time leading rebounder

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 28, 2025
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic fights in the post on her way to an efficient 17 points in a win over No. 23 Iowa at State Farm Center on Jan. 9.

Do’s, don’ts for Illinois against Purdue

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 27, 2025
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic and Northwestern Wildcats watch as the ball goes toward the hoop in the matchup on Feb. 8, 2024.

Illinois stays undefeated against Northwestern in Green era

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 24, 2025
Illinois breaks it down before a WBIT victory over Stony Brook on March 24, 2024.

Illinois takes on Michigan State amid 2-game win streak

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 19, 2025
Illinois celebrates a win over No. 23 Iowa by embracing each other during "Hail to the Orange" on Jan. 9.

Illinois beats Indiana in Bloomington for first time in 13 years

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 17, 2025
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic smiles with her teammates after a basket against Morehead State on Nov. 7, 2023.

Kendall Bostic: A staple of Illinois basketball 

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 17, 2025
Sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan attempts to drive the ball past her Florida State opponent on Nov. 7, 2024, at State Farm Center.

Illinois back at home vs. No. 23 Iowa

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 9, 2025
Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant takes a contested shot against Minnesota on Jan. 28, 2024.

Late game collapse against Minnesota leads to second consecutive loss for Illinois

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 5, 2025
Graduate student forward Ben Humrichous shoots a three-pointer on Nov. 8 against SIUE.

Illini’s New Year’s resolutions heading into 2025

By Sahil Mittal, Peter Jakubiak and Ben Somerville • Jan 2, 2025
Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant drives baseline toward the hoop against Ohio State on Jan. 25.

Genesis Bryant ties career high in loss to Washington

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Jan 1, 2025
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic stands underneath the rim as the basketball goes in the net against Northwestern on Feb. 8.

Illinois continues Big Ten schedule against Oregon

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 28, 2024
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic reaches up in tip-off during game against Nebraska on March 3.

Illinois gets scrappy win over Southern

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 21, 2024
Senior guard Adalia McKenzie takes a jump shot during Illinois' home game against Northwestern on Feb. 8.

Player grades, notes from Illinois’ wins in Week 6

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 17, 2024
Senior guard Adalia McKenzie waiting for an inbound pass against Florida State on Nov. 3.

Against Southern Indiana, Illinois seeks 11th straight home victory

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 15, 2024
Junior quarterback Luke Altmyer announces that he will return to Champaign for his senior year to a State Farm Center crowd on Dec. 14.

Luke Altmyer announces return to Illinois for senior season

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 14, 2024
Sophomore guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger takes the ball up the court in a fast break on Nov. 7.

Illinois beats Bradley for 10th straight home win

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 14, 2024
Fifth-year guard Genesis Bryant takes the ball up top as fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic posts up down low on Jan. 25.

No. 21 Illinois opens Big Ten play at No. 12 Ohio State

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 8, 2024
Senior forward Brynn Shoup-Hill sets a screen for fifth-year guard Makira Cook to drive to the paint in a game against No. 19 Florida State on Nov. 7.

No. 19 Illinois women’s basketball faces first true road game at Canisius 

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 2, 2024
Fifth-year guard Makira Cook drives to the basket against No. 19 Florida State on Nov. 3.

Player grades, notes for No. 19 Illinois in Week 4

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Dec 1, 2024
2025 4-star LB Grant Beerman poses for some pictures on a visit to the University.

No. 22 Illinois gets Thanksgiving treat, flips 4-star linebacker 

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 29, 2024
Head coach Shauna Green calls out a play in a game against No. 19 Florida State on Nov. 3.

No. 19 Illinois suffers first season loss against No. 14 Kentucky

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 29, 2024
Sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan takes the ball at the left wing in a big win over Florida State on Nov. 3.

No. 19 Illinois heads to Nashville for Music City Classic

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 26, 2024
Freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr. passes the ball in a Nov. 8 matchup against SIUE.

Takeaways from No. 25 Illinois’ bounce-back win over Maryland Eastern Shore

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 24, 2024
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic prepares to shoot the ball during a game against Iowa on Jan. 1, 2023.

Bostic scores career-high, No. 22 Illinois beats Oregon State

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 22, 2024
The Orange Krush watches fifth year forward Kendall Bostic dominate the No. 19 Florida State Seminoles on Nov. 7.

No. 22 Illini put on dominant display for Field Trip Day

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 18, 2024
No. 23 Illinois adds another 2025 top-100 commit

No. 23 Illinois adds another 2025 top-100 commit

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 17, 2024
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic fights her way through Morehead State defenders on Nov. 7, 2023.

Takeaways from No. 23 Illinois’ blowout win over EIU

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 14, 2024
Fifth-year forward Kendall Bostic takes a shot in the post on Jan. 25.

Illinois women’s basketball player grades: Week 1

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 12, 2024
Fifth year guard Makira Cook drives to the basket on Jan. 28.

Do’s and don’ts for Illinois women’s basketball against Marquette

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 10, 2024
Sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan attempts to drive the ball past her Florida State opponent on Nov. 7 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

Illinois holds on against No. 19 Florida State in season opener

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 7, 2024

Illinois women’s basketball lands 4-star forward Manuella Alves-Fernandez

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Nov 1, 2024
Junior Joe Roberts looks to the crowd following a match during the Illinois vs. Navy meet on November 4, 2023.

Deep dive: Illinois wrestling 2024-25 season

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Oct 26, 2024
Graduate student Quincy Guerrier slams the ball through the basket during the Illinois v Iowa game at the State Farm Center on S First St., Feburary 24, 2024

AP preseason poll leaves Illinois unranked; do preseason rankings even matter? 

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Oct 17, 2024
Illinois Football coach Bret Bielma speaks to incoming students at Sights and Sounds 2024 in August at Memorial Stadium.

CFP outlook, how Illinois can make the playoffs

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Oct 10, 2024
Illinois played Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium for Hoemcoming on Oct. 21, 2023. The match ended in defeat for the at home Illini with an end score of 25-21 in favor of the Badgers.

College football officiating: Corrupt or clueless? 

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Oct 3, 2024

Cubs season of expectations ends in disappointment

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Sep 27, 2024
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looks at his teammates before a snap during the first quarter against the Indianpolis Colts on Sept. 22, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The heavy expectations Caleb Williams faces, why they’re unrealistic 

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Sep 27, 2024
Courtesy of Orange and Blue News

Illinois women’s basketball lands 2025 5-star prospect Destiny Jackson

By Ben Somerville, Staff Writer • Sep 5, 2024
Next Page »