The 2024 and 2025 seasons were the greatest consecutive seasons in Illinois program history. 19 wins, Citrus Bowl Champions, Music Bowl Champions, and momentum at an all-time high Illinois. Coming into this season, Illinois underwent many changes, but still Illinois Football stock was soaring. All Illinois needed to keep this momentum flowing was reach a bowl game. Five games into the season, that goal seems impossible. Illinois might be favored in only one game the rest of t

121 years ago, before Memorial Stadium was even built, a group of Purdue students brought a cannon to Champaign, expecting to fire it after the Illini and Boilermakers played. Before Purdue had the chance, Illinois student Quincy A. Hall found the cannon in its hiding place and took it back to his farmhouse. Hall suggested that the cannon be used as a trophy between Illinois and Purdue. Ever since the rivalry was renewed in 1943, Illinois and Purdue have battled it out for th

Well, I was watching the United States complete a Sunday comeback at the Presidents Cup and was about to begin writing a recap and reaction to the Ohio State game when my phone started blowing up. Bobby Hauck and Illinois had “mutually parted ways.” It does not take a genius to realize this was not much of a mutual decision. Hauck was fired in all but name. All you really need to know from the Ohio State game is that the Illini offense can move the ball, while the Illini defe

One of the most unique trophies in college football is on the line this Saturday in Columbus: a carved wooden turtle. How can you not love college football? Illinois is looking to claim the Illibuck Trophy for the first time since 2007, when the Illini upset No. 1 Ohio State in the ‘Shoe. Nineteen years later, Illinois comes in as a 27.5-point underdog, ready to unveil its best shot at bringing home the second-oldest trophy in the Big Ten. The World-Famous Buckeyes entered t

RECAP: Illinois handled business at home Saturday, cruising to a 48-10 victory over SIU. The Salukis opened the game with a 21-yard play, but the Illini defense quickly settled in and forced a punt. Illinois responded with a 65-yard drive capped off by a Jordan Anderson touchdown. SIU answered with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game, but from that point on, it was all Illinois in the first half. Aidan Laughrey broke loose for a 77-yard touchdown run, the long

The Fighting Illini are back and looking to bounce back against in-state FCS opponent Southern Illinois. It was a rough one the last time Illinois took the field. Self-inflicted errors and sloppy play allowed a potential swing game to slip away in the fourth quarter. Illinois has been exceptional in one-score games over the past two seasons, and seeing the Illini on the wrong side of one has not been customary. Bret Bielema said he does not want that to become the norm for th

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Champaign. The sun was shining, Lot 31 was packed, and there was energy in the air. A sold-out Memorial awaited the team. Illinois Football had turned what was once one of the worst environments in the sport just several years ago, to a respectable one. But this Saturday, all of our worst concerns were realized on this Saturday as the Illini fell to Duke 27-31. RECAP: Illinois received the opening kickoff, and effortlessly went on an 8 p

PREVIEW: A sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium awaits the Illini Faithful this Saturday at 2:30 PM. It's the return game of the home-and-home series between Illinois and Duke. This series was scheduled when both programs were in the depths of the Big Ten and the ACC, but over the last few seasons, Duke and Illinois have been models of consistency within their respective conferences. Last season, the Illini went into Durham and won 45-19, but that score is a little misleading becau

RECAP: One of the biggest headlines coming into the 2026 Illinois Football season was the defense. We finally got a taste of Bobby Hauck's 3-3-5 scheme, and he probably wishes it went smoother. It was an overall shaky first half for the Illini. UAB dominated time of possession. It was partly because of the Illini offense creating explosive plays and a huge punt return from Mac Resetich. The time of possession disparity was primarily caused by Illinois inability to make tackle

The 2026 season is officially here! We can hold off on playing hypothetical games for the next few months because football is back, and we will have real results to view. Sorry, SEC fans. Illinois will kick off the season against the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Thursday night at 8:00 PM CST. Personally, I am not a fan of the Thursday night start from an in person viewing experience since there will be less fans in attendance, but you've got to play the cards you ar

The nation is abuzz with football fever. The itch for Saturdays in the Fall is ready to be scratched. We got a glimpse of what these next few months will be like in Week 0, but everyone knows Week 1 is when the true fun begins. Illinois Football kicks off in less than a week, and it could be the start of another special season. It's maybe the most exciting time of the year for fellow college sports enthusiasts. We get to embark on another journey over the next 7 months that c

After 2 seasons as a defensive back coach and 3 seasons as the Illinois defensive coordinator, Aaron Henry and the Illini have parted ways. Henry has decided to take the Notre Dame defensive back/co-defensive coordinator position. After a historic season by the Illini secondary in 2022, Illinois promoted Henry to defensive coordinator following the departure of Ryan Walters. In Henry's first season as the defensive coordinator, the Illini defense struggled. It was a young gro

Coach Bret Bielema and Illinois have enjoyed the advantage of having one of the nation's top quarterbacks over the past two seasons, Luke Altmyer. In his second and third seasons as the Illini's starting quarterback, Luke Altmyer led Illinois to a couple of their best seasons in school history. Illinois had never won 9+ games in consecutive seasons until this season, and the Starkville native under center was the main reason why. While this ride the past three seasons have be