Spartans drive and reach toward playoff, setting up Big Ten-SEC showdown with Crimson Tide
By Dan Escalona
December 8, 2015
Michigan State and Iowa were preparing for a fourth-and-goal situation with a College Football Playoff spot at stake. However, before that could occur, LJ Scott reached across the goal line, driving the Spartans past the Hawkeyes and into the CFP.In might be time to start referring to the play as “T...
Depleted Illini offense fails to find rhythm against Wisconsin
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
October 24, 2015
Quarterback Wes Lunt knew that Illinois football’s offense would miss key offensive players when the Illini played Wisconsin Saturday. Running back Josh Ferguson and wide receivers Marchie Murdock, Justin Hardee and Mike Dudek were doubtful to play against the Badgers. The team’s injury report re...
One botched punt sends Spartans, Wolverines on divergent paths
By Dan Escalona
October 20, 2015
The full spectrum of human emotion could be seen in the final 10 seconds of Michigan State’s surreal victory over rival Michigan this weekend.On one side was the pure ecstasy of Michigan State as Spartans’ players jumped into the stands to celebrate an improbable win. On the opposite end, you saw th...
A win in Iowa puts Cubit in the driver's seat
By Peter Bailey-Wells
October 7, 2015
Illinois football’s win over Nebraska was a long time coming.Illini nation endured a lot under Tim Beckman, the least of which was Big Ten mediocrity. But the Illini are undefeated in Big Ten play since Bill Cubit took over as head coach.He’s coached one Big Ten game and won one Big Ten game. If he win...
Illini football celebrates a different kind of win
By Peter Bailey-Wells
October 4, 2015
print headline: Win over Huskers worthy of extra celebrationCelebrations in sports are funny things. They’re rarely for the sake of posterity — a spontaneous outburst isn’t about legacy.Illinois football’s win over Nebraska Saturday sparked a different kind of celebration. In the seconds and minute...
The Big Ten’s nightmarish Rutgers problem
By Dan Escalona
September 22, 2015
Just as the Big Ten season is getting interesting, the conference is once again bogged down in the mire of another looming scandal.The most recent culprit of conference controversy is Rutgers. With arrests and dismissals piling up, and the recent suspension of head coach Kyle Flood, the program has suddenly f...
Illinois football adjusts as college football landscape changes
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
September 16, 2015
The addition of the College Football Playoff passed with flying colors after its first year. A majority of players, coaches, fans and experts have agreed that the system finally crowns a true champion and many already want to expand the Playoff to more teams. But the format has caused university athletic ...
Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 2
September 14, 2015
Editor’s note: Every week, The Daily Illini football staff ranks the football teams in the Big Ten 1-14 and compiles the lists into its own Big Ten power rankings. 1. Ohio State (Last week: 1) — The defending national champions dominated once again in a 38-0 win over Hawaii. The Buckeyes...
Bright NFL futures await Big Ten's premier 2015 season talent
By Dan Escalona
September 1, 2015
In many ways, college football is a glorified farm system for the NFL.Outside of the common college football debates — which team should be ranked where, who should win the Heisman Trophy and which conference reigns supreme — a typical theme each season involves the status of the next NF...
