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Jackson Janes

Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor

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All content by Jackson Janes
Senior Sasha Belaya returns the ball during the meet against Wisconsin on Friday. The Illini fell to Wisconsin, but beat Minnesota in a meet on Sunday.

Illinois falls to Wisconsin, beats Minnesota for first win of season

February 28, 2021
Senior Katie Wingerter throws the ball during the Orange and Blue World Series on Oct. 25. The Illinois softball team split its double-header against Maryland today.

Illinois splits doubleheader with Maryland

February 27, 2021
Sophomore Mia Townes performs her floor exercise routine during the meet against Michigan on Sunday. The Illinois women's gymnastics team placed second in the Big Five Meet on Friday.

Illinois finishes second in Big Five Meet for second consecutive season

February 26, 2021
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood speaks to freshman Andre Curbelo during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6. Questions surrounding the team’s consistency remain after a loss to unranked Michigan State on Sunday Tuesday night.

Three big questions loom after No. 5 Illini upset by pesky Spartans

February 25, 2021
An Illinois women's tennis player bounces the ball before serving during competition. The team fell to Northwestern 6-1 on Sunday.

lllinois falls to No. 7 Northwestern despite winning doubles point for first time

February 21, 2021
Redshirt freshman Alex Bancila returns the ball against Penn State on Feb. 19 at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini won the match, 5-2.

No. 6 Illinois defeats Penn State, falls to No. 9 Ohio State to open Big Ten campaign

February 21, 2021
Ayo Dosunmu goes for a dunk against Minnesota on Feb. 20. Dosunmu notched his second triple-double of the season in a 94-63 win over the Golden Gophers.

Player grades: Dosunmu’s triple-double, Frazier’s half-court heave highlight dominant win at Minnesota

February 20, 2021
Senior Zeke Clark competes in the match against Virginia on Sunday. Clark is the Illini of the Week.

Illini of the Week: Zeke Clark clinches two upset wins, earns first-career Player of the Week award

February 18, 2021
Redshirt sophomore Siphosothando Montsi celebrates after scoring a point during the match against Virginia on Sunday.

Illinois upsets Southern California, Virginia en route to third-place tournament finish

February 14, 2021
Senior Emilee Duong competes during the meet against Oklahoma on March 3, 2020. The Illini fell to Nebraska on Sunday by a score of 5-2.

Illinois opens Big Ten campaign with road losses to Iowa, Nebraska

February 14, 2021
Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu looks to pass during the game against Wisconsin on Feb. 6. Dosunmu recorded 31 points during the game.

Player grades: Dosunmu puts team on his back late in overtime win over last-place Nebraska

February 13, 2021
Iowa senior center Luke Garza attempts to defend as junior guard Ayo Dosunmu drives through the lane during the game between Illinois and Iowa on Jan. 29 at State Farm Center. Both players are potential candidates for Big Ten Player of the Year and Naismith Player of the Year.

Hoops update: Two Illini in Big Ten, Naismith Player of the Year race

February 11, 2021

Illinois returns to Atkins Tennis Center for first time since March to take on Indiana, Purdue

February 7, 2021
Junior Ayo Dosunmu looks to pass during the game against Wisconsin on Saturday. Dosunmu recorded his first triple double at Illinois during the game, earning 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. It is only the third triple double in Illinois history.

Player grades: Dosunmu makes history, Cockburn dominates in paint in home win over No. 19 Wisconsin

February 6, 2021
Trent Frazier shoots a three-pointer in Illinois' win against Indiana on Tuesday. Frazier had another big game, scoring 19 points.

Player grades: Frazier has another standout performance, Cockburn steps up in nail-biting win

February 3, 2021
Members of the Illinois women's tennis team high five after scoring a point during the Purdue invite this weekend.

Illini women’s tennis makes great strides in first competitive matches since March

January 31, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier yells out to a teammate during the game against Iowa on Friday. The Illini won the game 80-75.

Player grades: Big performances from Dosunmu, Frazier secure win over No. 7 Iowa

January 30, 2021
Senior Dylan Duncan attempts to break the hold of his opponent during the meet against Purdue on Friday. The men’s wrestling team is undefeated this season (4-0).

Illini sports update: Wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball teams off to undefeated starts

January 25, 2021
Senior Trent Frazier drives forward during the game against Nebraska on Feb. 24, 2020.

Big Ten hoops update: Conference deals with several postponements, paused programs

January 15, 2021
Sophomore Kofi Cockburn takes a shot during the game against Maryland on Sunday. The Illini lost the match 66-63.

Player grades: Cockburn dominates in paint, Williams has off night in upset loss to Maryland

January 11, 2021
Jamal Woods celebrates with Tarique Barnes during the Wisconsin Oct. 23, 2020. Woods has elected to return to Illinois for a fifth year.

Defensive lineman Jamal Woods announces return to Illini

January 5, 2021
Michigan guard Zeb Jackson advances against Northwestern defenders during the second half of their game on Sunday.

Big Ten hoops update: Seven ranked teams, several Player of the Year candidates after three weeks of action

January 5, 2021
Illinois senior kicker James McCourt kicks the game winning field goal during the game against Wisconsin on Oct. 19 at Memorial Stadium. McCourt will return to the Illini in 2021.

Kicker James McCourt announces return to Illini for sixth season

January 2, 2021
Senior Nate Hobbs returns an interception during the game against Rutgers on Nov. 2 at Memorial Stadium. The Illini won 38-10.

Nate Hobbs declares for NFL Draft

January 2, 2021
Senior Jake Hansen wraps up an opposing player during competion.

Jake Hansen leaves lasting legacy on program after declaring for NFL Draft

December 30, 2020
Junior Milo Eifler stands with his teammates before playing in the Redbox Bowl against California on Dec. 30, 2019. Eifler will enter his name into the 2021 NFL Draft.

Milo Eifler declares for NFL Draft

December 29, 2020
Senior Quarterback Brandon Peters scans the field as the offensive line protects him during the match against Akron on Sep. 14, 2019.Peters will be returning to Illinois for one more season.

Quarterback Brandon Peters returns to Illini

December 29, 2020
Junior Ayo Dosunmu shoots the ball during the game against Minnesota on Dec. 15. The Illini earned a road win against Penn State on Wednesday with a 98-81 score line.

Player grades: Dosunmu, Cockburn, Curbelo thrive despite defensive struggles

December 24, 2020
Illinois head football coach Lovie Smith celebrates after securing a 24-23 victory over Wisconsin on Oct. 19, 2019.

Wins over No. 6 Wisconsin, Michigan State highlight Lovie Smith era

December 18, 2020
Redshirt senior Josh Imatorbhebhe catches a pass during the game against Northwestern on Saturday. Imathorbhebhe has declared for the NFL Draft.

Wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe declares for NFL Draft

December 17, 2020
Senior Blake Hayes punts the ball during competition.

Blake Hayes named to media’s All-Big Ten Third Team

December 17, 2020
Offensive lineman Kendrick Green (53) blocks defenders during the game against Iowa on Dec. 5. Green has been named to the All-Big Ten first-team.

Offensive lineman Kendrick Green named to All-Big Ten First Team

December 15, 2020
Junior Ayo Dosunmu attempts to defend Mizzou's Mark Smith during the Braggin' Rights match on Saturday. The Illini fell to Mizzou 81-78.

Player grades: Dosunmu, Curbelo shine in Braggin’ Rights loss to Missouri

December 13, 2020
Penn State's Will Levis (7) picks up yardage on the ground during the second quarter against Rutgers at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey on Saturday,

Big Ten Week 7 recap: COVID-19 outbreaks cancel two games, Northwestern wins Big Ten West

December 6, 2020
Kicker Chase McLaughlin (5) celebrates with his teammate offensive tackle Braden Smith (72) after making a 50-yard field goal on Dec. 8, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. McLaughlin recently signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars to replace their injured kicker.

NFL update: Two former Illini on COVID-19 list, former kicker added to Jaguars roster

December 1, 2020
Indiana's Micah McFadden tackles Michigan State's Payton Thorne during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.

Big Ten Week 4 recap: Quarterback inconsistencies plague several Big Ten teams

November 15, 2020
Freshman Kofi Cockburn embraces Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu during the match against Iowa at State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois on Sunday, March 8..The Illini are ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP Top 5 Poll.

Illinois ranked No. 8 in Associated Press preseason top-25 poll

November 9, 2020
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws under pressure from Maryland's Austin Fontaine during the second half at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Big Ten Week 3 recap: Division rivals extend win streaks as Illini remain last in Big Ten West

November 9, 2020
Illinois alum Rajeev Ram competes at the French Open on May 31, 2018. Ram shared his experience playing during COVID-19.

Playing during a pandemic: Ram recounts experiences with travel, competitions during COVID-19

November 5, 2020
Top 10 head coaches at Illinois

Top 10 head coaches at Illinois

November 5, 2020
Illinois team members stand in Camp Randall stadium while wearing masks before the game against Wisconsin on Oct. 23. The Illini fell 45-7 in the season opener.

Positive tests causes uncertainty within football program

November 5, 2020
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa runs for a first down in the first quarter against the Minnesota Gophers at Capital One Field on Saturday. The big run set up a Maryland touchdown.

Big Ten Week 2 recap: Unexpected undefeated teams continue to find ways to win

November 3, 2020
Detroit Lions cornerback Tony McRae and New Orleans Saints defensive back Justin Hardee Sr. run up the field during their NFL game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on Oct. 4

Inconsistent playing time, first career start highlight past two weeks of action for former Illini

October 29, 2020
Illinois' offensive line blocks Wisconsin in the game in Madison Friday night. Since then, 12 Badgers have tested positive for COVID-19, shutting down team activities.

Wisconsin football program pauses all team activities after 12 positive tests

October 28, 2020
Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed is tackled by Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien during their game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday.

Turnovers galore in opening week of Big Ten action

October 27, 2020
Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm looks on during a game against Penn State at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 5, 2019.

Two top-five teams fall in final weekend before Big Ten returns

October 20, 2020
Baltimore Ravens defensive end Jihad Ward walks behind defensive tackle Justin Madubuike on Aug. 19. Ward is an Illinois alum who started playing for the Ravens in 2019.

Former Illini continue to see playing time in NFL

October 15, 2020
Students in the Block I fan section cheer during the game against Wisconsin on Oct. 19. Block I is a student organization that allows students to show their support for Illini sports teams; the group will be hosting a watch party for the return of the football season.

Block I to host watch party for football season opener

October 5, 2020
Kevin Anderson returns a shot to Joao Sousa during their match at the Miami Open on March 25, 2019. Anderson played tennis for three seasons at Illinois, winning the national doubles championship his sophomore year in 2006.

11 former Illini compete across five sports leagues

September 28, 2020
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to evade the sack of Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and ends up fumbling on the play in the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sept. 22, 2019 in Carson, CA.

Former Illini compete in first two weeks of NFL season

September 24, 2020
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