A Fighting Illini community since 2012
With Illinois only having a win at Penn State that does little to change their resume this week, I thought I would use the introduction to talk about streaks, but not the ones in my toddler’s underwear for a change. While it is far from official at this point, Illinois is well on its way […]
That’s a big boost to the defense. Illinois safety Matthew Bailey announced Monday that he will return for the 2026 season. Bailey, who could have put his name in the NFL Draft, started all 12 games in 2025 but did not play in the Music City Bowl due to injury. He had 76 tackles and […]
He beat Illinois this past season. Now he’s joining the Illini. Illinois received a commitment Monday from center Jake Renfro, who spent the last three seasons with Wisconsin. According to the Badgers’ website, Renfro spent much of this year injured, but he did start all 12 games for Luke Fickell’s squad in 2024. Renfro started […]
Keaton Wagler keeps getting attention. The star freshman was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday. It’s Wagler’s second league-wide honor this season. Washington’s Hannes Steinbach was also honored Monday. Wagler has averaged 16.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over the last two weeks, as the Illini are 3-0. Freshman David Mirkovic […]
It was no secret that the Illini were a heavily senior-laden team, with the starting offensive line and linebackers almost all being seniors, along with a top-20 QB and their best wideout moving on, along with a few key starters and rotational players. Then, when the transfer portal was opened, other players moved on, including […]
How to Watch Illinois vs. Rutgers Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Thursday TV Channel: BTN Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO Odds: N/A (Illinois 96.8% Chance To Win – ESPN Matchup Predictor) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (11-3, 2-1 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 73, Penn State 65 Gameday Reading: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten) […]
Illinois made its first splash in the transfer portal Sunday night when East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser signed with the Illini. Here’s the best online reactions to the signing: And of course…
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illini have officially landed transfer quarterback Katin Houser, who announced his commitment on Sunday night. ESPN first reported the news. Illinois then announced it on its own profile minutes later, saying Houser has signed. Houser spent the last two seasons with East Carolina University, competing in the American Athletic Conference, and […]
EAST LANSING, Mich. — A tough ranked matchup in hostile territory. Following a huge ranked win against No. 7 Maryland just three days ago, Illinois traveled to East Lansing in an evenly expected matchup Sunday morning, taking on No. 24 Michigan State. Illinois was looking to get back-to-back ranked Big Ten wins, but the test […]
It’s rare to find a group as maligned in a 9-4 season as the 2025 Fighting Illini defense. More specifically, Aaron Henry has been tarred and feathered in the media for the defense’s lack of performance. Bret Bielema’s squad gave up 345 yards per game and notched a total of six interceptions on the season. […]
ECU transfer QB Katin Hauser will soon be visiting Illinois as an option for his final year of collegiate eligibility, according to 247. The 6-foot-3 Orange County native played for St. John Bosco and began his career playing for Mel Tucker at Michigan State. Prospect Pedigree Houser picked Michigan State over 13 other offers. His […]
PHILADELPHIA — Keaton Wagler is indispensable to Illinois. Against the best of the best, they can’t survive without him. He’s the type of player who can melt into a game. The kind that provides a 10-0 spark with his elegant movement on the court, high basketball IQ, elite shooting ability, and an ideal positional length […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illini don’t need to be perfect to be elite, they just need discipline. They need to be violent where it counts. And that’s the stuff that doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but will exhaust teams and help win you games: offensive rebounds, tipped balls, second efforts, blocks that turn into […]
Happy Portal Szn to those who celebrate. My favorite part of the season is the offseason. And the hot stove is already lit. On Nov. 4, 2023, the Illini played the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Starting QB Luke Altmyer got off to a blazing hot start. He completed 18 of his first 22 passes. As the […]
Littyville is out… Again. ESPN reported Thursday that Illinois assistant head coach Thad Ward is leaving Champaign and heading back to Kansas State to be an associate head coach and receivers coach. Ward was previously the Wildcats’ wide receivers coach in 2022. Ward has had two stints with the Illini, first with Lovie Smith from […]
CHAMPAIGN Ill.— Absolute statement win at home. Illinois beat No. 7 Maryland 73-70 on New Year’s Day at State Farm Center, marking the Illini’s first win over a top-10 team since 2014. “This is our biggest win in terms of our time here,” said head coach Shauna Green. This was Maryland’s first loss of the […]
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Star Illinois kicker David Olano has officially announced on social media that he will be entering the transfer portal with one year of eligibility. Olano, a former three-star recruit out of high school, has blossomed into one of the better kickers in the country during his three years with the Illini. The […]
The Illini closed out 2025 in historic fashion, when Illinois knocked off Tennessee on Tuesday night in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, 30-28. Trading blows in the first half Tennessee opened the scoring on its opening drive after Illinois’ first possession ended in a turnover on downs (failing to convert on 4th and-7). On […]
On this episode of “Oskee Talk” TCR’s Pleas Honeywood & Donald Glenn join me to revisit Tuesday’s thrilling Music City Bowl win versus Tennessee. We also discuss the legacies of Luke Altmyer & Bret Bielema and briefly look towards the 2026 season. Click HERE to listen! Join the conversation! Comment below and make sure to subscribe […]
Illinois beat Southern on Monday night to cruise to its 10th win of the season. The Illini finished 2025 on a high note and officially wrapped up their challenging non-conference schedule. Illinois is tied for the most wins entering the new year under head coach Brad Underwood with 10 and a program record three Quad […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With 4:58 left in the fourth quarter, Tennessee’s Joakim Dodson muffed a kickoff, and for at least a brief moment, the thought of a game-sealing recovery by Illinois swirled in all of Nissan Stadium’s minds. A thrilling victory, free of headspinning drama to secure Illinois’ second-straight bowl win. That brief illusion quickly […]
NASHVILLE — After winning the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl in heart-racing fashion, the Illini secured their ninth win of the 2025 campaign, solidifying the first back-to-back nine-win seasons in program history. This is a big-time milestone for head coach Bret Bielema, who’s now won 37 games in his first five seasons at Illinois, as […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It all came down to one play. One kick. And when the Illini needed it most, they looked to their ace — All-Big Ten kicker, David Olano. With the mix of Tennessee Orange and Illinois Blue lining Nissan Stadium and the fans screaming as loud as they can, Olano drilled a 29-yard […]
NASHVILLE — The Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl was originally predicted to be a battle between two offensive juggernauts. In reality, Illinois’ defense had one of the most highlight-worthy plays of the game early in the third quarter. It all started with a strip sack from sophomore linebacker Joe Barna at around the Tennessee 15-yard […]
How to Watch Illinois at Penn State (at The Palestra, Philadelphia) Game Time: 6 p.m. Saturday TV Channel: BTN Online Streaming: FoxSportsGO Odds: N/A (Illinois 88.6% Chance To Win – ESPN Matchup Predictor) Quick Hits: Illinois Fighting Illini (10-3, 1-1 Big Ten) Head Coach: Brad Underwood (9th season) Last Game: Illinois 90, Southern 55 Gameday Reading: Penn State Nittany […]