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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
Bears safety Kevin Byard III celebrates his interception against the Eagles in the third quarter Nov. 28 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Column l Bears fairytale season enters final chapter 

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Dec 4, 2025
The Illini huddle during the team’s game against the USC Trojans on Sept. 27.

Illinois assistant running backs coach James White named Benet Academy head coach

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 20, 2025
Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo hops off the field on one foot after an injury in the fourth quarter against the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025, in Cincinnati. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column | Time to take the North and never give it back

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 8, 2025
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass in the first quarter against the Ravens on Oct. 26 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Column | Is Caleb Williams the future or a bust?

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 5, 2025
Chicago Bears tight ends Durham Smythe (81), Cole Kmet (85), Colston Loveland (84) and Jordan Murray (48) head to the next drill during training camp at Halas Hall on July 29 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Column: how Bears can get most out of Kmet, Loveland

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 21, 2025
Bears kicker Jake Moody is lifted by his teammates as he celebrates his game-winning field goal to defeat the Commanders on Oct. 13 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Column: how Bears can be No. 1 seed by November

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 16, 2025
Bears coach Ben Johnson watches the fourth quarter against the Cowboys on Sept. 21 at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Column | Chicago Bears quarter-season review

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 1, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel takes orders from Golden Knights fans inside of Raising Canes on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Summerlin. Eichel sold chicken to fans for an hour to promote the restaurant and celebrate winning the Stanley Cup. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Column | Championships, rings … and a trip to Disney World?

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 27, 2025
Review | Tate McRae is ready to dominate music industry with ‘So Close To What’ 

Review | Tate McRae is ready to dominate music industry with ‘So Close To What’ 

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 26, 2025
Orlando Magic’s Mac McClung hurdles a vehicle while competing in the NBA All-Star Game Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 15, at Chase Center in San Francisco (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Opinion | 2025 NBA All-Star Game

By Jonathan Mathew and Jordan Goodhart • Feb 22, 2025
Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) has been a mentor for several of the team’s youngsters, including linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3).

Column | Eagles line play, how trenches define the NFL

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 18, 2025
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is introduced before game against the Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)

Column | Predicting the 2025 NFL Honors

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 5, 2025
Column | Downfall of NFL Pro Bowl can be reversed

Column | Downfall of NFL Pro Bowl can be reversed

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Jan 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) carries the ball while being defended by Commanders safety Quan Martin (20) during the fourth quarter on Sept. 8, 2024. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

Top Illini through the 2025 NFL playoffs

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Jan 27, 2025
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson works on the Lions sideline against the Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 22, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

New era in the Windy City: Chicago Bears make Ben Johnson head coach

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Jan 20, 2025
Head coach Bret Bielema talks with referee during game against Indiana on Nov. 11, 2023.

Naughty, nice list for Illinois football

By Tess Eken and Jonathan Mathew • Dec 23, 2024
Bears coach Matt Eberflus leaves the field after a loss to the Cardinals on Nov. 3, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears make history by firing Matt Eberflus

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Dec 5, 2024
Lions safety Kerby Joseph picks off Cowboys backup Quarterback Cooper Rush late in a blowout on Oct. 13. (Smiley N. Pool)

Top 5 Illini in the NFL

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 20, 2024
Bears coach Matt Eberflus stands on the sideline during the fourth quarter on Nov. 10, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Time to ‘Bear down,’ Eberflus‘ seat gets hotter

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 14, 2024
Illinois hockey celebrates a goal on Sept. 20.

Illinois skids ice against McKendree during Dads Weekend

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 7, 2024
Matas Buzelis poses for pictures Monday, Sept. 30, during Bulls media day at the Advocate Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS)

Bulls send 1st-round pick Matas Buzelis to G League

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 7, 2024

Column | Are Celtics a cheat code?

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 31, 2024

Caleb Williams starting to look the part

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 24, 2024

Illinois men’s rugby prepares to compete in Big Ten championship

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 18, 2024
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams drives to the basket guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen in the first half of their preseason game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

New look of 2024-25 Chicago Bulls

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 9, 2024
Chicago Bears’ safety Jaquan Brisker celebrates after an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 29. The Bears won 24-18 against the Rams.

Don’t poke the bear: Chicago maintains early defense success

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 3, 2024
Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze misses a touchdown catch during the second quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston.

Caleb, Rome show improvement, Bears’ offense remains bad

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Sep 25, 2024
Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) grabs the jersey of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston.

The good, the bad and the ugly in the Bears’ Sunday night defeat

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Sep 18, 2024
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams prepares to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field.

Column | Bears Rookie QB Caleb Williams: Time to Panic in Chicago?

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Sep 11, 2024
The server at The Himalayan Chimney plates the dishes for guests on Mar. 23.

Best of CU | Best Indian Food: The Himalayan Chimney

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Mar 28, 2024
Freshman Foreward Aiden Taylor lines up for a faceoff in the game against Illinois State on Friday.

‘It all comes down to this’

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 23, 2024
Freshman defenseman Nathan Dash defends against DePaul on Jan. 19.

Illinois hockey looks to end 5-game skid against Alabama this weekend

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 15, 2024

Illinois wheelchair basketball totals 5 wins in senior weekend

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 13, 2024
Illinois wheelchair basketball hosts 6 schools for Illinois senior day

Illinois wheelchair basketball hosts 6 schools for Illinois senior day

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 8, 2024
Junior defensemen Harrison Slovick pushes forward during the game against Roosevelt on Oct. 27.

Iowa State Cyclones whirl into town to take on Illini hockey

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 8, 2024
Senior defenseman Atticus Helfer guards the puck against DePaul on Jan. 19.

Illinois hockey heads to McKendree for road doubleheader

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Feb 2, 2024
Junior defensemen Joe Dorion blocks the DePaul goaltender's view in front of the net during the game against Depaul on Jan. 19.

Rematch series with Purdue Northwest lies on horizon for Illinois hockey

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Jan 26, 2024
Senior Foreward Alexander Matveev celebrates scoring a goal against DePaul in the game on Friday.

Illinois hockey splits weekend series against DePaul

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Jan 23, 2024
Junior Alexander Matveev fighting for the puck against Roosevelt on Oct. 27.

Illinois hockey enters second half of 2023-24 season with clean slate

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Jan 10, 2024
Illini celebrate after forward Anthony Verrasi scores on Oct. 27 against Roosevelt.

Illinois returns home for doubleheader against McKendree on Dads Weekend

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 10, 2023
Goalie Ben Mazurek defends as the puck approaches the net on Oct. 27.

Illinois hockey travels to Illinois State with winning streak on the line

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Nov 3, 2023

Illinois hockey prepares for weekend doubleheader with hopes of igniting win streak

By Jonathan Mathew, Staff Writer • Oct 26, 2023

Illinois hockey braces for important road trip against Alabama

By Jonathan Mathew, Contributing Writer • Oct 20, 2023
Goalie Elliot Gerth prepares to defend against Grand Valley State on Oct. 23. Illinois will be going against Iowa this coming weekend.

Illinois hockey heads to Iowa State for weekend doubleheader

By Jonathan Mathew, Contributing Writer • Oct 12, 2023

Scoreless weekend results in back-to-back losses for Illini hockey

By Jonathan Mathew, Contributing Writer • Oct 7, 2023