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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
Jackson Janes

Jackson Janes, Sports Editor

Hey, everyone! My name is Jackson Janes, and I am the sports editor here at the DI! I am a junior majoring in journalism, and when I’m not in class, you can probably find me at Memorial Stadium, State Farm Center or another University stadium! I am from Chicago, Illinois, and am a big Cubs and Bears fan (sorry, Cards fans). I’m always looking to talk Illinois or Chicago sports, so feel free to send me an email at [email protected] or find me on Twitter if you need someone to rant to, though let’s hope that doesn’t happen too often.

[email protected]

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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • December 17, 2020
Senior Blake Hayes punts the ball during competition.

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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • December 15, 2020
Junior Ayo Dosunmu attempts to defend Mizzous 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • December 13, 2020
Penn States 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • December 1, 2020
Indianas Micah McFadden tackles Michigan States Payton Thorne during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.

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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • November 9, 2020
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws under pressure from Marylands 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • November 5, 2020
Top 10 head coaches at Illinois

Top 10 head coaches at Illinois

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • 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

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • September 24, 2020
The Block I student section hoists a banner with the Illinois shield logo during the game against Minnesota at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 3, 2018. Illinois announced its Freshman of the Year nominees on Tuesday.

Fans express excitement ahead of shortened Big Ten season

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • September 21, 2020
Miami Heat’s Meyers Leonard turns his attention to the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena on Jan. 22. Leonard is one of the two Illinois alumni currently playing in the NBA.

Two former Illini compete in 2020 NBA Bubble

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • August 27, 2020
The Block I student section holds up cards spelling “Home” during halftime of the game against Purdue at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 13, 2018. Memorial Stadium, and all Illinois sports venues, will return to full capacity for the 2021-2022 sports season.

Block I announces changes for fall semester

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • August 24, 2020
RSOs advertise their clubs to prospective members during Quad Day in August 2016.

University offers hundreds of RSOs, though it could always use more

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • August 19, 2020
An I-Guide helps a freshman move into Hopkins Hall during move-in week in Fall 2016.

Communal bathrooms add to unique college experience

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • August 17, 2020
Students study in the College of Law Library on Sept. 20, 2019. There a multitude of study spaces, libraries and more, available in every corner of campus.

Five spaces on campus provide popular study environments

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • August 5, 2020
Former Illinois Basketball Coach Lou Henson smiles as he is interviewed by a CBS reporter on the court.

Honoring Henson: “Flyin’ Illini”, tournament appearances top coach’s career highlights

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • August 4, 2020
Senior Runningback RaVon Bonner celebrates a touchdown during the match against Akron on Aug. 31, 2019.

Big Ten includes nine Illinois representatives in Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • June 19, 2020
Illinois lineman Oluwole Betiku Jr. tackles Akron quarterback Kato Nelson on Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium. The Illini won the game, 42-3.

Former Illinois defensive lineman Oluwole Betiku Jr. signs as undrafted free agent

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • April 28, 2020
Illinois Fighting Illini guard DaMonte Williams guards Michigan State Spartans guard/forward Kyle Ahrens during the first half at State Farm Center in Champaign, IL on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020.

Twitter polls allow fans to reflect on past seasons

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • April 28, 2020
Joe Salisbury (left) and Rajeev Ram (right) pose with their trophy after the pair won the Australian Open men’s doubles competition on Feb. 2. The win was Ram’s first men’s doubles Grand Slam title.

Former Illini, Olympic silver medalist Ram reflects on NCAA championships, career

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • April 19, 2020
Freshman Kofi Cockburn celebrates during Illinois game against Indiana on March 1. The Illini beat the Hoosiers 67-66.

Kofi Cockburn declares for NBA Draft

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • April 7, 2020
Sophomore Guard Alan Griffin drives up the court past Michigan State Spartans forward Gabe Brown during the first half at State Farm Center on Feb. 11, 2020.

Alan Griffin announces transfer to Syracuse

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • April 5, 2020
Senior Karen Howell runs to hug Womens Gymnastics Head Coach Nadalie Walsh after competing during a match against Penn State on Feb. 7.

Illini of the season: Team shows promise for future despite shortened season

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • April 3, 2020
Illinois Head Football Coach Lovie Smith speaks during Big Ten Media Days on July 18, 2019 at the Hilton Chicago.

Big Ten extends suspension of team activities through May 4

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • March 27, 2020
Michael Feagles follows the ball after a drive.

Feagles, seniors weigh options after season canceled

By Jackson Janes, Assistant Sports Editor • March 19, 2020
Zeke Clark returns the ball during the meet against Chicago State at Atkins Tennis Centeron Feb. 15.

Illini tennis swings into Big Ten play with high expectations

By Jackson Janes, Staff Writer • March 4, 2020
Illinois’ Noe Khlif returns the ball during the match against Duke at Atkins Tennis Center on Feb. 1. The University has two international players: senior Noe Khlif, from France, and sophomore Siphosothando Montsi, from South Africa.

llinois takes on red-hot Baylor on Saturday

By Jackson Janes, Staff Writer • February 27, 2020
Alex Brown returns the ball during a game against Florida at the Atkins Tennis Center on Wednesday.

Illini look to turn things around against Notre Dame on Saturday

By Jackson Janes, Staff Writer • February 12, 2020
Junior Alex Brown prepares an underhanded hit during a match against Florida on Friday.

Illini struggles mount against Gators

By Jackson Janes, Staff writer • February 10, 2020
Senior Zeke Clark returns the ball during a match against Penn State at Atkins the Tennis Center on Friday, April 12, 2019. The Illini won 4-3.

Illinois falls to Duke, North Carolina in east coast road trip

By Jackson Janes, Staff Writer • February 3, 2020
Illinois Aleks Kovacevic returns the ball during the match against Penn State at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday, April 12, 2019. The Illini won 4-3.

Illinois racks up wins in Florida classic

By Jackson Janes, Contributing Writer • November 6, 2019
Senior Aleks Kovacevic celebrates at Atkins Tennis Center on April 12. Illinois beat Penn State 4-3.

Team aims to continue strong performances in upcoming tournaments

By Jackson Janes, Staff Writer • October 28, 2019
Illinois Zeke Clark returns the ball during the match against Duke at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019.

Illinois men’s tennis competes in ITA Men’s All-American Championships

By Jackson Janes, Staff Writer • October 17, 2019
Illinois Zeke Clark celebrates with his team after winning his singles match to end of the match against Penn State at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday, April 12. The Illini won 4-3.

Men’s tennis competes in international tournament

By Jackson Janes, Contributing Writer • October 9, 2019
Junior Gui Gomes celebrates with doubles partner senior Vuk Budic. Gomes finished 2-2 in his singles season debut at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships.

Illini bring home 16 wins from California, Georgia

By Jackson Janes, Contributing Writer • October 3, 2019
Illini compete in Wisconsin, Indiana

Illini compete in Wisconsin, Indiana

By Jackson Janes, Contributing Writer • September 27, 2019
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