Football

Nov 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema Takes Playful Jab at ESPN Pundit

Bielema challenges Adam Rittenberg's take on where the Illini fit into the 2025 preseason rankings

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Illinois Football Coach Bret Bielema Takes Playful Jab at ESPN Pundit

Bielema challenges Adam Rittenberg's take on where the Illini fit into the 2025 preseason rankings

Recent Articles

Nov 16, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) sacks Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Linebacker Gabe Jacas Commits to 2025 Return to Illinois Football

All-Big Ten outside linebacker Jacas announced Monday that he will return to the Illini next season for "one last ride"

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Xavier Scott (14) is stopped by Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Drew Wagner (48) after he makes a n interception against Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois DB Xavier Scott Announces Return for 2025 Season

Scott's announcement marks the latest round of good news the Illini have received

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman J.C. Davis (74) in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

J.C. Davis Returns to Illinois Football to Shore Up Offensive Line

Illini left tackle will put off NFL Draft a year and ensure all five starters return to the team's offensive line

Dec 17, 2024; Frisco, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Hudson Clement (3) reacts after catching a pass against Memphis Tigers defensive back Davion Ross (1) in the fourth quarter at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois Football Adds West Virginia WR Hudson Clement for Post-Bowl Boost

Illinois returned to work after its Citrus Bowl win against South Carolina, adding experienced help at wide receiver

Illinois linebacker Ryan Meed (34) and a host of teammates on the Illini defense take down South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers in Illinois' 21-17 win over the Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on New Year's Eve.

Football

Illinois Football Citrus Bowl Report Card: Grades vs. South Carolina

The Illini turned in perhaps their most complete game of the season when it counted most

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) returns an interception for a touchdown near the end of the first half against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Lions won the game, 24-14.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Football

Why Was Former Illini Kerby Joseph Snubbed From the Pro Bowl?

The Lions safety has a reputation around the league, deserved or not, that may have harmed his chances

Oct 6, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Football

Seahawks CB and Former Illini Devon Witherspoon Named to Pro Bowl

Witherspoon, who played for Illinois from 2019-2022, was selected for his second straight Pro Bowl

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) runs the ball against South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Debo Williams (0) in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

3 Key Stats From Illinois Football's Citrus Bowl Win Over South Carolina

Dive into the digits that reveal how the Illini knocked off the favored Gamecocks

Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer directs his team against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Football

Best Reactions to Illinois' Bret Bielema vs. South Carolina's Shane Beamer

Social media was in a frenzy over the Citrus Bowl drama between the Illini's and Gamecocks' head coaches

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray (6) celebrates winning the MVP after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

3 Big Takeaways From Illinois Football's Citrus Bowl Win Over South Carolina

After the Illini's fifth fourth-quarter comeback of 2024, we have a few big-picture thoughts to share

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray (6) celebrates his touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football's Citrus Bowl Upset Over South Carolina

A few of the best reactions from the Illini's 21-17 win over the Gamecocks on New Year's Eve

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) warms up before the game between Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.

Football

Lions DB and Former Illini Kerby Joseph Gets Picky Against 49ers

The Detroit Lions' safety moved into sole possession of the NFL interception lead on Monday

Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer celebrates beating the Missouri Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium. He is holding the Mayors Cup, given to the winner of the South Carolina-Missouri game. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Football

Gesture-Gate: The Ridiculousness of the Shane Beamer-Bret Bielema Clash

Performative pontification: South Carolina's and Illinois' coaches created much ado about nothing

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Oscar Adaway III (27) runs the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jojo Hayden (30) in the first quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois Football Stuns South Carolina in Program-Shifting Citrus Bowl Upset

The Illini save their best for last in a 21-17 win over the favored Gamecocks to secure their first 10-win season since 2001

Football

Illinois Coach Bret Bielema Shares Final Thoughts Ahead of Citrus Bowl

The Illini coach discussed 2024's inflection point and his take on a new era in college sp

Illinois defenders, including linebacker Gabe Jacas (17), wrap up Northwestern quarterback Ryan Boe (4) and force a fumble in the Illini's 38-28 win at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Nov. 30, 2024.

Football

How to Watch: Illinois Football vs. South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl

The Illini aim for an upset and their first 10-win season since 2001 in Orlando on New Year's Eve

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) runs for a touchdown against Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Football

3 Key Questions for Illinois Football vs. South Carolina in Citrus Bowl

Whichever team has the answers should win the 2024 Citrus Bowl and secure a 10-win season

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) passes the ball against Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois Football Unveiling Illinois Script Helmets for Citrus Bowl

For the first time in program history, the Illini are breaking out the script for their helmets

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) runs against Louisiana State University during the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, September 14, 2024.

Football

Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. South Carolina Odds, Trends and Prediction

The Illini are 10½-point underdogs against the LaNorris Sellers-led Gamecocks in Orlando, Fla., on New Year's Eve

Sep 22, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end James Thompson Jr. (90) celebrates after sacking Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois Football Lands Highest-Rated Transfer Yet From Wisconsin Defense

Three-star defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. brings smarts, experience and upfield pressure to the Illini

Sep 7, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Fighting Illini fans cheer during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Football

Citrus Bowl: Illinois Football vs. South Carolina Watch Parties

If you can't make it to Orlando for New Year's Eve, find a watch party in your area to join other Illini fans for the game

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jaheim Clarke (25) celebrates a defensive stop with linebacker Ryan Meed (34) during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Football

ESPN Predicts Outcome of Illinois Football vs. South Carolina in Citrus Bowl

ESPN's FPI analytics view the Illini as underdogs against the Gamecocks, but the numbers also tell a more complex story

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches players warm up before a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Football

Illinois Football Signs Playmaking Transfer Receiver Justin Bowick

The Illini inked Bowick and are in the running for a Big Ten defensive lineman currently in the portal

Sep 28, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies quarter back Ethan Hampton (2) throws a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during second quarter at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Football

Former Northern Illinois QB Ethan Hampton Signs With Illinois

The three-star transfer quarterback de-committed from Wake Forest to pivot to the Illini