Fitzgerald leaves Illinois football
By Charlotte Carroll, Sports editor
August 10, 2016
Illinois football head coach announced Wednesday the departure of quarterback Jimmy Fitzgerald.
Spring ball marks new era for Illinois football
By Joey Figueroa, Staff reporter
May 8, 2016
It’s not often that spring practices overshadow the football season that precedes them. But for Illinois football this year, such was the case. The hiring of Lovie Smith as the third head football coach within two years has been the big story on campus, and the star-studded coaching staff Smith bro...
Wes Lunt happy to be at Illinois football’s helm during bowl push
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
November 18, 2015
On a cold, rainy Monday in November, Wes Lunt was where he usually is on a Monday afternoon: sitting in a chair in the Memorial Stadium press box. It’s part of the Illinois quarterback’s weekly routine: meet with media members after head coach Bill Cubit concludes his press conference. He stare...
Illinois football’s offense fails to show up in loss Ohio State
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
November 14, 2015
Wes Lunt and the Illinois offense appeared to spark some momentum late in the Illini’s 28-3 loss to Ohio State on Saturday. The Illinois quarterback completed a 37-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Desmond Cain to move the Illini to Ohio State’s 21-yard line. With his team down 21-3 and...
Illinois football’s Bill Cubit will continue to serve his team after Mike Thomas departure
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
November 9, 2015
The Illinois football investigations were hanging over head coach Bill Cubit’s and the heads of the rest of the team since former player Simon Cvijanovic made allegations against former head coach Tim Beckman in May. The preliminary findings of the investigation resulted in the firing of Beckman in...
Illinois defense falls in the shadows in Purdue win
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
November 9, 2015
While Illinois football’s running back Josh Ferguson was the star of his team’s 48-14 win at Purdue on Saturday, the defense made sure to do its job so that the margin would never be close. The defensive players responded against the Boilermakers after allowing 39 points to Penn State the week ...
Illini football gets its revenge against Purdue
By Peter Bailey-Wells, Sports editor
November 8, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA — Bill Cubit didn’t sleep much after his team was punched in the mouth 39-0 by Penn State last week. And despite Illinois’ 48-14 stomping of Purdue on Saturday, he said his restless nights will continue, because his team’s season isn’t done yet. The Illini’s ...
Illinois football enters critical stretch of the season against Purdue
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
November 4, 2015
Illinois’ football game at Purdue on Saturday is important for many different reasons. The Illini need to win two of their four remaining games to become bowl eligible and Saturday’s game against the Boilermakers will be a good opportunity for Illinois to gain one of those wins. Bowl-eligibility...
Cataloguing the hurts: The many injuries of the Illinois offense
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
November 3, 2015
Illinois football head coach Bill Cubit managed to remain humorous during his weekly press conference Monday after the Illini lost 39-0 to Penn State on Saturday. His offense has been depleted of players for much of the season, and Saturday’s shutout was yet another reminder of the void those...
Matchups to watch in Illinois-Penn State game
October 28, 2015
Illinois secondary vs. Penn State ReceiversThe Illini secondary had issues covering Wisconsin’s Alex Erickson in key moments last week. Another tall order is coming up against Penn State and its two top receivers. Both Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton are on the Biletnekoff watch list. Both are play...
For Cubit and Illini, grace period is over
By Peter Bailey-Wells
October 28, 2015
Bill Cubit’s time has come: He bought himself some time by beating Nebraska 14-13 in Illinois’ Big Ten opener. He has survived a pair of tough losses to strong Iowa and Wisconsin teams — his team lost, but in a mostly respectable fashion.Now, his feet are headed for the fire. His grace period is up...
Illinois football’s defense can’t hold up against Wisconsin’s Bart Houston
By Michal Dwojak, Staff writer
October 26, 2015
The Illinois football team had finally gained momentum against Wisconsin on Saturday. Freshman running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn had scored on a 35-yard run in the third quarter and the Illini were leading 13-10. Illini fans all over Memorial Stadium were excited — Illinois was leading Wisconsin, ...
