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Josh Pietsch

Josh Pietsch, Assistant On-air Editor

All content by Josh Pietsch
Redshirt freshman Isaiah Williams throws the football during practice on March 23.

Peters, Williams battle for starting quarterback spot

April 15, 2021
Illinois running backs coach Cory Patterson runs through a drill with a few players. Patterson is coming up on his fourth season with the Illini and is the only coach Bret Bielema kept from Lovie Smith’s staff.

Cory Patterson works with new coaching staff, position group in year four with Illini

April 8, 2021
The Illinois football team’s offensive line performs drills during practice Sunday. Several offensive line veterans are returning for another year at Illinois.

Illini offensive line returns veterans, comes back tougher under new coach Bart Miller

April 1, 2021
Junior Chase Brown completes a drill during the University of Illinois’s first football practice on Tuesday. New head coach Bret Bielema has been making changes to the Illini’s offense and defense after taking over for former head coach Lovie Smith in December.

Illini make changes on offense, defense as spring practices begin under new staff

March 25, 2021
Senior linebacker Jake Hansen stands ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against Rutgers on Nov. 15.

Linebacker Jake Hansen announces return to Illini

March 1, 2021
Illinois football head coach Bret Bielema speaks at a press conference on Dec. 21. Bielema welcome the final signees of the 2021 recruiting class on Wednesday

Bielema welcomes in 2021 recruiting class, transfer additions

February 4, 2021
Recently appointed Associate Head Coach and Outside Linebackers Coach Kevin Kane speaks at a press conference on Tuesday.

Kevin Kane comes to Illinois ready to grow, learn from Bielema

January 28, 2021
Bielema builds all-star staff, keeps talented seniors

Bielema builds all-star staff, keeps talented seniors

January 25, 2021
Andy Buh coaches at a Rutgers practice. Buh will work as the linebackers coach in the upcoming season for the Illinois football team.

Bielema’s staff continues to take shape with three new hires

January 12, 2021
Senior Blake Hayes kicks a punt during a game against Nebraska. Hayes, along with snapper Ethan Tabel and kicker James McCourt will return to the Illinois football team next season.

Dominant, consistent specials teams trio announce returns to Illini for fifth season

January 6, 2021
Senior Jake Hansen prepares to hike the ball during competition.

Offensive line looks to dominate in 2021 after three senior starters announce returns

December 30, 2020
Bret Bielema made his first hire with offensive coordinator Tony Petersen on Monday.

Bret Bielema makes first Illini hires on offense

December 29, 2020
Maryland head coach Matt Canada questions a call during a game against Penn State on Nov. 24, 2018. Canada now coaches for the Pittsburgh Steelers and is a potential choice for offensive coordinator at Illinois.

Building a staff: Coaches Bret Bielema should consider

December 28, 2020
Newly hired Illinois football coach Bret Bielema poses with his wife.

Bielema looks to improve on recent in-state recruiting struggles

December 23, 2020
Chase Brown runs the ball in Illinois' game against Penn State on Saturday. The Illini fell 56-21.

Illinois drops last game of season, first game without Lovie Smith at Penn State 56-21

December 19, 2020
Quarterback Brandon Peters scans the field looking for receivers during the game against Northwestern on Saturday. Illinois will play Penn State this Saturday.

Illinois to face Penn State in final game of season

December 18, 2020
Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian during open practice at Fan Day in Bryant-Denny Stadium Aug. 3, 2019.

Top seven coaching replacements for Lovie Smith

December 14, 2020
Lovie Smith stands near the Illini during warmups in the Redbox Bowl on Dec. 30. Smith has been fired as Illinois' head coach, leaving uncertainty for the future.

Column: Illinois’ skid casts doubt on future

December 13, 2020
Junior Luke Ford reaches for a pass during the game against Iowa on Saturday.

Illinois travels to Northwestern, looks to regain Land of Lincoln trophy

December 11, 2020
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith poses with quarterback Brandon Peters during Senior Night before the game against Iowa on Saturday.

Lovie Smith looks to send seniors, first recruitment class out with a bang

December 8, 2020
Defensive back Tony Adams runs the ball during the game against Nebraska on Nov. 21.

Illinois closes out 2020 regular season home schedule against No. 19 Iowa

December 4, 2020
Sophomore Tarique Barnes looks forward as he stands on the line of scrimmage during the game against Wisconsin on Oct. 23. The Illini lost 45-7.

Illini adapt to injuries, COVID-19 setbacks

December 1, 2020
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith looks up at the scoreboard during the game against Iowa at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.

Illinois to host Ohio State seeking third straight win

November 26, 2020
Senior kicker James Mccourt kicks a field goal during the game against Nebraska on Saturday.

Illini able to recover from early complications to achieve recent success

November 23, 2020
Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters hands it off to running back Chase Brown in the game at Nebraska Saturday. The Illini won 41-23.

Illini dominate Cornhuskers 41-23 in second-straight victory

November 21, 2020
Quarterback Brandon Peters scans the field during the game against Nebraska on Sept. 21, 2019.

Illini look for second straight win Saturday at Nebraska

November 19, 2020
Running back Chase Brown barrels through defenders during the game against Minnesota on Nov. 7. The Illini lost the game 41-14.

Chase Brown looks to build on career-best performance

November 16, 2020
Illinois quarterback Isaiah Williams runs the ball against Rutgers on Saturday. The Illini won 23-20..

Illinois earns its first win with last-minute 23-20 victory at Rutgers

November 14, 2020
Illinois running back Chase Brown finds an opening during the game against Purdue on Oct. 31.

Illini to travel to Rutgers Saturday seeking first win

November 13, 2020
Illinois running back Reggie Corbin (2) and lineman Doug Kramer (65) celebrate after scoring a touchdown against Akron on Aug. 31, 2019. Kramer is set to return to play for the Illini this Saturday.

Doug Kramer, James McCourt among Illini players set to return this weekend

November 10, 2020
Junior Mike Epstein runs the ball down the field in Illinois' game against Minnesota on Saturday evening. The Illini lost to the Gophers 41-14.

Illinois falls to 0-3 after 41-14 loss to Minnesota

November 7, 2020
Illinois running back Mike Epstein searches for an opening during the game against Purdue on Saturday. The Illini fell to the Boilermakers 31-24.

Illini to host Minnesota Saturday afternoon, still seek first win

November 6, 2020
Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. celebrates a sack during the game against Purdue on Oct. 31. The Illini fell to the Boilermakers 31-24.

Carney, defensive line exceed expectations for Illini defense

November 3, 2020
Illinois quarterback Coran Taylor hands the ball off to running back Mike Epstein during the game against Purdue on Oct. 31. The Illini fell to the Boilermakers 31-24.

Coran Taylor, Illini fall short against Boilermakers 31-24

October 31, 2020
Quarterback Brandon Peters snaps the ball during practice on Oct. 13.

Illinois to host Purdue in first home game of 2020

October 29, 2020
Illinois Offensive Coordinator Rod Smith poses for a promotional photo. Smith hopes to involve running backs Mike Epstein and Chase Brown more in coming games.

Illini to make offensive adjustments after loss

October 27, 2020
Redshirt senior Brandon Peters throws the ball during practice on Oct. 15.

Illinois travels to Wisconsin to open 2020 season

October 22, 2020
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith instructs during practice on Oct. 12. The season kicks off on Friday against Wisconsin in Madison.

Illinois slate ranked easiest to hardest

October 19, 2020
Illinois senior kicker James McCourt kicks the game winning field goal during the game against Wisconsin on Oct. 19 at Memorial Stadium. Since then, McCourt has been practicing to ensure he has the consistency he wants as a Big Ten kicker.

McCourt uses Wisconsin game as motivation for improvement

October 15, 2020
Redshirt senior Brandon Peters runs the ball during football practice on Wednesday.

Peters takes full advantage of offseason to make improvements

October 9, 2020
Sophomore wide receiver Khmari Thompson stands ready with the ball at football practice on Thursday. Thompson adds speed and strength to the team after transferring from Missouri, measuring in at 6-foot-1-inch and 220 pounds.

Wide receiver transfers bring depth to Illinois’ offense

October 5, 2020
Senior linebacker Milo Eifler stands ready before the play during football practice on Sept. 17. Eifler is one of several Illini that will consider the NFL Draft after the fall.

Illini draft prospects have season to prove themselves

October 1, 2020
Current senior Mike Epstein runs the ball during the game against Akron on Aug. 31, 2019 at Memorial Stadium.

Mike Epstein looks to come back stronger after knee injury

September 25, 2020
Members of the Illinois football team practice on Sep. 17. Their season opener is scheduled for Oct. 24 at Wisconsin.

Illini react to Big Ten season return, start of practice

September 21, 2020
Illini football head coach Lovie Smith waves at the team's first practice since the BIg Ten's decision to reinstate the fall football seaosn. The Illini have roughly four weeks to practice before the season begins.

Medical advancements lead to reversal of Big Ten football postponement

September 17, 2020
Senior offensive lineman Alex Palczewski defends the quarterback during the game against Nebraska on Nov. 10, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Illini lost 54-35.

Illini hopeful for rise in NFL Draft prospects

September 14, 2020
Junior Mike Epstein advances the ball down the field during the game against Penn State on Sept. 21, 2018. Epstein and sophomore Chase Brown will be given a majority of the carries for the Illini this season.

Illini running backs look to strengthen offense in new roles

September 7, 2020
Senior Nate Hobbs returns an interception during the game against Rutgers on Nov. 2 at Memorial Stadium. The Illini won 38-10.

Big Ten explores earlier football start dates

September 3, 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.

Five Illini named to Reese’s Senior Bowl Top 250

August 28, 2020
Senior offensive lineman Alex Palczewski protects senior quarterback Brandon Peters during the game against Akron on Sept. 14. The 2020 football season has been postponed to the spring due to COVID-19.

Offensive line brings experience, leadership to Illini

August 27, 2020
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