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Bret Bielema Breaks Down Illinois' 'Unacceptable' Defense After Loss to Ohio State

Bret Bielema Breaks Down Illinois' 'Unacceptable' Defense After Loss to Ohio State

Illinois’ offense rattled off 462 total yards against perhaps the stingiest defense in the country on Saturday. It left too much on the table and still managed to score 19 points.

Katin Houser News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 22
Can Illinois QB Katin Houser Meet the Moment vs. Ohio State in Week 4?

Can Illinois QB Katin Houser Meet the Moment vs. Ohio State in Week 4?

Illinois quarterback Katin Houser , an East Carolina transfer, isn't lacking for high-pressure experience, even if his previous stop might suggest as much.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 22
Illinois to Host Benjamin Berrouet: Can the Illini Land Multiple 5-Star Prospects?

Illinois to Host Benjamin Berrouet: Can the Illini Land Multiple 5-Star Prospects?

After a legion of high-level hoops talent descended on Champaign this past weekend (visits from four five-star recruits), it seemed as though Illinois was out of top-tier prospects to host.

Mason Muragin News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 20
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Linebacker Mason Muragin

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Linebacker Mason Muragin

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of senior linebacker Mason Muragin.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 20
Best and Worst of Illinois Football's 48-10 Win Over Southern Illinois

Best and Worst of Illinois Football's 48-10 Win Over Southern Illinois

All things considered, Illinois football got what it needed out of Saturday's 48-10 rout of Southern Illinois at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign. And now the real fun – gulp – begins.

Collin Dixon News / College Football Talk / September 19

Collin Dixon catches two more TD passes, Illinois beats Southern Illinois 48-10

Dixon has seven TD catches, already the single-season record at Gies Memorial Stadium with four home games remaining.

Ismael Kante News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 18
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Linebacker Ismael Kante

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Linebacker Ismael Kante

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of fifth-year linebacker Ismael Kante.

James Kreutz News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 18
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Linebacker James Kreutz

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Linebacker James Kreutz

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of fifth-year linebacker James Kreutz.

David Mirkovic News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 16
David Mirkovic Lands in EvanMiya Preseason Top 10 as Two Other Illini Crack Top 20

David Mirkovic Lands in EvanMiya Preseason Top 10 as Two Other Illini Crack Top 20

As a freshman, David Mirkovic averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists for an Illinois team that went to the Final Four. Those are stellar numbers for a first-year player.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 15
5-Star Illinois Target Darius Wabbington Moves Up Visit to Champaign

5-Star Illinois Target Darius Wabbington Moves Up Visit to Champaign

We know: It’s all coming at you fast. Illinois basketball recruiting has quickly become synonymous with the five-star label. In the 2027 class alone, the Illini are heavily involved – or have been – with five five-star recruits.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 15
3 Pressing Questions Illinois Football Must Answer vs. Southern Illinois

3 Pressing Questions Illinois Football Must Answer vs. Southern Illinois

In an offseason of sweeping changes, Illinois football entered the 2026 season with more questions than answers. After bringing in a fresh face at defensive

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 13
What ESPN's FPI Projects for Illinois Football After Duke Loss

What ESPN's FPI Projects for Illinois Football After Duke Loss

There had been cautious optimism in Champaign. Luke Altmyer might have been gone, but Katin Houser had arrived to take his place. Gabe Jacas was a massive loss, but maybe renowned defensive guru Bobby Hauck and his unique system would make up for any personnel shortcomings.

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 13
Is This as Good as It Gets for Illinois Football Under Bret Bielema?

Is This as Good as It Gets for Illinois Football Under Bret Bielema?

Illinois (1-1) football fans have spent the better part of the Bret Bielema era wondering how far he can take this program.After Saturday's 31-27 loss to Duke, they might not like the answer.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 12
Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football's Upset Loss to Duke

Social Media Reacts to Illinois Football's Upset Loss to Duke

Illinois entered Saturday’s matchup with Duke as the favorite and with a chance to stay undefeated on the young season. Instead, the Illini turned in an embarrassing defensive performance and collapsed after halftime in a 31-27 loss at Gies Memorial Stadium.

Bret Bielema News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 10
Bret Bielema Is Unfazed by Illinois' Tackling Woes Entering Duke – But Should He Be?

Bret Bielema Is Unfazed by Illinois' Tackling Woes Entering Duke – But Should He Be?

The buzzword of the week in Champaign: tackling . It was a shaky performance from Illinois on that front last week against UAB – and it led to the Illini giving up 194 yards to the Blazers on the ground.

Stefan Vaaks News / Busting Brackets / September 10
Illinois transfer Stefan Vaaks has on regrets about leaving Providence

Illinois transfer Stefan Vaaks has on regrets about leaving Providence

Stefan Vaaks does not sound like a player questioning his decision to leave Providence. The new Illinois guard made his feelings unmistakably clear when the subject of his former school came up during a recent public appearance.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 9
What Illinois vs. Duke Will Reveal About the Illini's 2026 Future

What Illinois vs. Duke Will Reveal About the Illini's 2026 Future

There is no way to sugarcoat it: Illinois was gashed on the ground in Week 1 by UAB. The non-power-conference foe ran all over the Illini’s home field to the tune of 194 rushing yards.

Lars Rau News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 8

Illinois Football 2025 Scouting Report: Punter Lars Rau

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of junior punters Lars Rau.

Jakwon Morris News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 7
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive back Jakwon Morris

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive back Jakwon Morris

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of junior defensive back Jakwon Morris.

Joe Barna News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / September 7
Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Lineman Joe Barna

Illinois Football 2026 Scouting Report: Defensive Lineman Joe Barna

Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2026 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of junior defensive end Joe Barna.

Illinois Fighting Illini News / Big Ten Network / September 4
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Volleyball On SI / September 3

Tennessee Volleyball Sets Second Attendance Record of the Season with Sweep Over Illinois

Just four days after Tennessee volleyball set an attendance record inside Food City Center in Knoxville, the crowd made history once again Tuesday night with 8,212 fans packing the arena.  In front of the loudest crowd, the No.

NFL News / Yardbarker / August 28
Commanders fans could soon turn on HC Dan Quinn

Commanders fans may turn on HC Dan Quinn after alarming preseason loss to Ravens

Dan Quinn can call Washington’s 41-3 loss to Baltimore meaningless because it happened in the preseason. Commanders fans may soon arrive with pitchforks if the regular season confirms what Friday’s 38-point humiliation appeared to reveal.

Commanders should be concerned after pathetic showing at joint practice
Dan Quinn calls out Commanders after unacceptable preseason showing
Jayden Daniels’ lone drive exposes Commanders’ greatest concern
NFL roster cuts expose flaws in league's approach to player safety
The '200-passing yards in first 20 NFL games' quiz
Illinois Fighting Illini News / Athlon Sports / May 27
Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

Illinois Reacts to Andrej Stojakovic’s Career Decision on Wednesday

The Illinois Fighting Illini entered Wednesday anxiously waiting for one of the biggest roster decisions of the college basketball offseason. After testing the NBA Draft process and participating in the NBA Combine earlier this month, Andrej Stojakovic officially made his long-awaited decision just before the withdrawal deadline.

Brad Underwood News / Yardbarker / May 14
Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

Brad Underwood could stick with Illinois through 2036 because of new extension

The Illinois Fighting Illini like head basketball coach Brad Underwood, and they have plenty of reason to.  

Illinois' Brad Underwood gets contract extension through 2032
UConn's Dan Hurley puts a price on being a college basketball contender in NIL era
NCAA Tournament expansion a sacrifice mid-majors forced to make in rev-share era

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