en-us SportSpyder - The Latest Illinois Fighting Illini Football News https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/news One key will determine whether the Illini dominate the Blue Devils on Saturday – and it's more than just stopping Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard Fri, 11 Sep 2026 03:11:09 GMT Jackson Langendorf https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57892620 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57892620 false false Senior defensive back looking to continue making impact at safety and as returner on special teams during 2026 season Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:43:36 GMT BOB ASMUSSEN\nasmussen@news-gazette.com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891646 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891646 false false Here's an update on the 27 players representing their school with NFL franchises Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:43:27 GMT JOE VOZZELLI\njvozzelli@news-gazette.com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891642 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891642 false false Sign up for our daily Illini football newsletter here Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:43:22 GMT BOB ASMUSSEN\nasmussen@news-gazette.com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891639 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891639 false false Mahomet-Seymour football continues to thrive. ... Former Illini kicker and Danville native Caleb Griffin joins 'SportsTalk' today. ... Illini soccer tries to remain unbeaten tonight in Big Ten opener. ... Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:43:15 GMT MATT DANIELS\nmdaniels@news-gazette.com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891636 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57891636 false false Illinois tailback Ca’Lil Valentine had a team-high 88 yards in the season-opening win over UAB but his block on a score late in the game is what impressed Illini coaches. By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst September 10, 2026 CHAMPAIGN — Even in a game with a 51-yard touchdown run and his second-largest career single-game rushing total, the play where Ca’Lil Valentine got the most praise was one where he never touched the football. On a first-and-goal pass play from the 6-yard-line early in the fourth quarter, the Illinois tailback said he had a feeling the Alabama-Birmingham defense believed a carry was coming the way of No. 5 in a blue jersey. The third-year tailback knew two things. One, in order for this play call from Illini offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. to work, his quarterback would need a few extra seconds to operate. Two, this was a moment to prove Valentine’s offseason work to become a reliable option for all down-and-distance situations was proving effective. The result of a six-yard touchdown run on a scramble by Katin Houser was the product of an impressive blitz pick-up block by Valentine - a 205-pound tailback not known for his efficiency as a blocker. “My responsibility was the edge rusher but I was able to read their defense and know that the interior end might come free so it was on me to do what I can,” Valentine said on Tuesday. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:14:44 GMT larryilliniguys-com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57890891 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57890891 false false The Western Michigan Broncos are in the news right now, as they are at the center of what some are calling the biggest botched moment in college history. It wa Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:48:59 GMT Kellen Sherman https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57889813 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57889813 false false Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois vs. Duke with a six-pack of questions Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:12:04 GMT Jeremy Werner https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57888564 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57888564 true false https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTe7YqhLOwQ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:00:30 GMT larryilliniguys-com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57888419 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57888419 false false Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said Thursday morning that linebacker Daniel Brown and wide receiver Jayshon Platt will again likely be inactive vs. Duke this weekend. By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst September 10, 2026 (Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics) CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema’s hope that Daniel Brown could return back to his middle linebacker spot this weekend has gone away. The Illinois sixth-year head coach told local reporters on Thursday morning, in his final media session before the kickoff of the matchup vs. defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Duke that Brown will not play on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CST, FS1) but is likely to be on the active travel roster of players who will go to the team hotel on Friday afternoon. “He’s going to travel with us. He’s been involved more (but) I don’t think he’ll play Saturday, but a very good chance next weekend that he could play,” Bielema said on Thursday. Brown has been hampered with the back issues throughout his entire tenure at Illinois since he transferred from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College before the 2025 season. Bielema said last week Brown has yet to take a single snap of action in a team setting since the beginning of preseason camp practice at the beginning of last month. The 6-foot-1 and 255-pounder had a career-high five tackles in a start in Music City Bowl victory over Tennessee. However, Bielema said Monday in his weekly media conference that “there might be a chance” for Brown to make his 2026 debut this weekend but the linebacker has been unable to show enough progress in practice for the Illini head coach to feel confident about changing his playing status. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:22:25 GMT larryilliniguys-com https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57887146 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57887146 false false Illinois head coach Bret Bielema gives his final press conference ahead of Thursday's game against Duke. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:55:48 GMT Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57885863 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57885863 false false Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois vs. Duke with a six-pack of questions. The guys break down how Brandon Henderson's injury im... Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:03:36 GMT Illini Inquirer: Illinois on 247Sports https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57885137 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57885137 false false Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. didn’t just want a quarterback with a big arm and impressive highlights. They needed a starter who could lead a team and fit a system. Katin Houser fit the bill perfectly. An Efficient First Start Houser’s Illinois debut didn’t rely on incredibly flashy highlights, just smart and […] Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:05:33 GMT Matthew Welch https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57882929 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57882929 false false There won’t be any concerns now about Tomislav Ivisic playing a third and final season in Champaign. After as student visa issue delayed his arrival on campus this summer, Ivisic is back at the university. He spent part of the summer in Croatia, but wasn’t able to get back as early as he expected. “It’s […] Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:05:25 GMT Stephen Cohn https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57882927 https://sportspyder.com/cf/illinois-fighting-illini-football/articles/57882927 false false