Top Junior Lineman Tanner Crum Likes Illini

An effective defensive line makes an entire defense run smoothly. The ability to stop the rush and get to the quarterback is essential to any team. Tanner Crum’s ability to do both has attracted college attention far and wide. The downstate Mt. Carmel junior athlete is making his small town a hotspot for college coaches.    Full Story

Football recruiting is a difficult, time-consuming process, and the competition is intense and occasionally cut-throat. When a team is struggling, negative recruiting makes the task even harder. Fighting Illini coach Ron Zook wants Illini Nation to know he will have another successful recruiting year. He is confident good people attract good people.    Full Story

The most unsung player on a football team is the long snapper. He receives no recognition for his successes but plenty of blame for his misses. And yet his role is vital to his team. Tad Keely is completing his second year starting for the Fighting Illini. He has been practically perfect since getting his first action in the Rose Bowl.    Full Story

Depth is extremely important in all sports, and especially football. Attrition due to injuries requires capable backups. And players who are not performing up to required standards must have adequate replacements ready at a moment's notice. Place kicker Derek Dimke got his chance to kick a field goal against Northwestern and proved worthy.    Full Story

College coaches make recruiting decisions based on their projections of how much players will continue to improve and mature. It is an inexact science as some players take longer than others to reach their full potential. Illini junior Bill Cole's progress is continuing, and he may finally have found his niche on the team.   Full Story

The Fighting Illini football team lost it's last chance for a bowl bid by losing to Northwestern Saturday. But Ron Zook refuses to give up on the season. There are two games to play, and he wants to see his team, especially the seniors, enjoy their last few days of college football and win more games. He discussed this and other things in his teleconference.    Full Story

The Fighting Illini football team suffered a heart-breaking loss to the Northwestern Wildcats Saturday at Memorial Stadium, 21-16. The Illini made a valiant comeback from an 18 point deficit, but their last minute effort ended without a score. As a result, the Wildcats are the first to display the new Land of Lincoln trophy presented to the intrastate winner.   Full Story

The Fighting Illini play their final Big 10 conference game when the Northwestern Wildcats invade Memorial Stadium Saturday morning. Already bowl eligible, NW is always a tough opponent for the Illini as a number of their players hail from the state and desire validation. The Illini have renewed enthusiasm and hope to keep their winning streak alive.    Full Story

It's always fun to watch the development of a young player from youthful innocence to grizzled veteran. It is truly exciting to watch his breakthrough performance, when everyone can pinpoint the day he began to realize his potential. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jacob Charest may have had that awakening at Minnesota. Fate may now designate him a starter.    Full Story

Ron Zook finds media interaction a little easier these days. After two straight wins and improved play, the Illini football team is on an upswing. Zook discussed a variety of subjects in Sunday's teleconference including the quarterback situation, Terry Hawthorne, injuries, defensive line play, placekicking, punt blocks, running backs and more.   Full Story

Offensive linemen are the key to a successful offense. Without an offensive line, the quarterback has no time to throw, and the running back has no lanes to run through. Identifying offensive line talent is a difficult task, but one offensive lineman who has made it easy on college coaches is emerging 2011 prospect Patrick Flavin.    Full Story

The Fighting Illini football team continued its climb back from the depths of despair by defeating Minnesota 35-32 in Minneapolis Saturday. Fired up from the start, the Illini built a big lead and then held off a late charge to claim a hard earned victory. Like last week against Michigan, numerous Illini emerged as heroes to make great plays when needed.    Full Story

Its the one we've been waiting for. How SWEET to beat #4 Iowa in Kinnick to spoil their season! Steve has observations on the game, and the bowl picture as it stands after NU's win....   Full Story

The rejuvenated Fighting Illini football team invades Minnesota Saturday at 11:00am, its first look at the Gophers' brand new stadium. It is a big game for both schools. Minnesota can become bowl eligible with a win, while the Illini need a victory to sustain the momentum gained last week against Michigan. There are other side stories as well.   Full Story

Before the Fighting Illini football team got down to the business of preparing for its Minnesota trip, the media needed to learn everything it could about Terry Hawthorne. The freshman cornerback/kick returner made possibly the play of the season to initiate a momentum reversal of major proportions against Michigan last Saturday.   Full Story

A college football team is composed of 105 players, and all make contributions through practices and games. No one person should get credit or blame for a team's fortunes. But when Arrelious Benn, the Fighting Illini's best player, went down with injury in the first quarter of the first game of the season, it had both a physical and psycological impact.   Full Story

A versatile athlete can create numerous opportunities for himself. Being willing and able to play several positions can be challenging, but those who can do so effectively are in great demand. Illini senior receiver Jeff Cumberland was moved to tight end to fill a need Saturday, and he responded in a big way.   Full Story

When a team is winning, everyone contributes. To win championships, reserves must step up and make great plays with the game on the line. The Illini football team got a glimpse of this Saturday when heroes throughout the squad helped produce an important victory over Michigan. One of those was reserve receiver Chris James, an almost forgotten man.   Full Story

Media conferences always run more smoothly after a win. Fighting Illini football coach Ron Zook spoke with the media by phone Sunday afternoon, and the victory over Michigan allowed him to discuss positives of his team's play. Even injuries seem to heal faster after a win, and Zook shared an injury update as well.    Full Story

That warm glow still hovers over Memorial Stadium and the Illini Nation one day after the Fighting Illini football team resurrected its dormant season with a rousing triumph over the Michigan Wolverines. For a change, it was fun for players and coaches to meet the media and discuss specifics afterward.   Full Story

The Fighting Illini football team overcame the odds and its own frustrations to whip the Michigan Wolverines Saturday at Memorial Stadium, 38-13. Showing poise on offense and determination on defense, the Illini finally put together a 60 minute effort to get back on a winning track. It was the first victory over UM in Champaign-Urbana since 1983.   Full Story

The Michigan Wolverines are coming to town for a 2:30pm game at Memorial Stadium Saturday. The Fighting Illini have now lost nine straight games to Division 1 teams, and they have lost 9 games in a row at home to UM. A large number of former Illini stars will be in town for Varsity "I" Weekend, and they are tired of failure. A win is essential.    Full Story

The Michigan Wolverines are a much improved football team in their second year under the tutelage of head coach Rich Rodriguez. They are 5-3 on the season, with losses at Michigan State in overtime and at Iowa by two points. They have an exciting new quarterback who knows how to run their spread option offense and a strong defense.    Full Story

The Juice and Jake show is coming to Memorial Stadium Saturday as the Michigan Wolverines invade. In an effort to bolster offensive production, the Illini are installing a two quarterback system utilizing the contrasting styles of Juice Williams and Jake Charest. The redshirt freshman Charest has minimal experience, but he has an ability to find open receivers.   Full Story

If someone had predicted this, no one would have believed him. Yes, some realized it was possible the Fighting Illini football team would have two quarterbacks splitting playing time in games. But no one thought it would be Juice Williams and Jake Charest. Williams shares his thoughts on this development in part one; Charest does likewise in part two.   Full Story