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Three Things We Learned From Illinois' Victory Over Western Michigan

Three Things We Learned From Illinois' Victory Over Western Michigan

Another Illinois game means another handful of learning lessons for head coach Bret Bielema’s squad, along with another glimpse into the Illini and learning opportunities about the team for us observers.

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 14
Bret Bielema 'As Spirited As I've Ever Been' at Halftime of Illinois' Win vs. WMU

Bret Bielema 'As Spirited As I've Ever Been' at Halftime of Illinois' Win vs. WMU

The wheels again took some time to creak into motion, but No. 9 Illinois was rolling along by the end of its 38-0 win over Western Michigan at Champaign's Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 14
Three Key Stats From Illinois Football's Win Over Western Michigan

Three Key Stats From Illinois Football's Win Over Western Michigan

Illinois closed out non-conference play in dominant fashion, blanking Western Michigan 38-0 before a sold-out Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 13
Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football Putting Away Western Michigan

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football Putting Away Western Michigan

After another sluggish first half, Illinois finally found its stride after the break Saturday in Champaign, transforming what began as a tense evening into a commanding 38-0 win over Western Michigan.In front of a sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium crowd and carrying the weight of their No.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 13
Game Balls: Illinois Football Standouts in Week 3 Win Over Western Michigan

Game Balls: Illinois Football Standouts in Week 3 Win Over Western Michigan

No. 9 Illinois (3-0) faced Western Michigan (0-3) on Saturday night, seeking its third consecutive win to open the 2025 campaign – and got just that. The

Luke Altmyer News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 12
Illinois' Luke Altmyer Tabbed as Top Five Quarterback in the Country by CBS Sports

Illinois' Luke Altmyer Tabbed as Top Five Quarterback in the Country by CBS Sports

On the heels of a productive 2024 campaign which saw him throw for 2717 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 12
Illinois Football Injury Updates: Aidan Laughery, Dylan Rosiek and Others

Illinois Football Injury Updates: Aidan Laughery, Dylan Rosiek and Others

Access to a full roster of personnel may seem a bit more trivial than usual for No. 9 Illinois (2-0) as it heads toward Saturday's home matchup against Western Illinois (an 0-2 MAC opponent) at Champaign's Memorial Stadium.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 10
CFP Watch: Evaluating Illinois Football's Playoff Chances After Week 2

CFP Watch: Evaluating Illinois Football's Playoff Chances After Week 2

Illinois hasn’t been to the College Football Playoff in … well, ever. But 2025 just may be the year for the Illini. Led by coach Bret Bielema and his excellent staff , along with star veteran quarterback Luke Altmyer , all the pieces of the puzzle appear to be falling into place.

Luke Altmyer News / Scoop B / September 11
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer Embraces Growth at Illinois While Keeping NFL Dreams in Sight

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer Embraces Growth at Illinois While Keeping NFL Dreams in Sight

Luke Altmyer’s football journey has already taken him through the gauntlet of SEC competition, a transfer to the Big Ten, and the challenge of carving out his place at Illinois.

College Football News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 10
Illinois Trails Two Upcoming Big Ten Opponents in Key ESPN Predictive Ranking

Illinois Trails Two Upcoming Big Ten Opponents in Key ESPN Predictive Ranking

Illinois’ 45-19 victory over Duke last weekend was indisputably the Big Ten’s best win of the week. Oregon’s 69-3 blasting of Oklahoma State sent a message, as putting a 66-point pounding on any Power 4 opponent holds weight, but the Cowboys (zero Big 12 wins in 2024) are likely the worst high-major team in college football.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 10
EA Sports' 'College Football 26' Simulates Illinois vs. Western Michigan

EA Sports' 'College Football 26' Simulates Illinois vs. Western Michigan

Illinois will be aiming to maintain its hot start when Western Michigan visits Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday (6 p.m. CT, FS1). The Illini will

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Sporting News / September 9

Illinois renames football stadium after $100 million donation

Fighting Illini gets a huge boost.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / September 6
Uniform Mishap Costs Duke a Touchdown Against Illinois

Uniform Mishap Costs Duke a Touchdown Against Illinois

Duke is not typically known for its football team, but head coach Manny Diaz is trying to change that. Diaz took the Blue Devils to a bowl game last season and ended the year with a 9-4 record.

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