Illinois linebacker John Holocek has earned Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week honors. Holocek made a game-high 14 tackles, including 11 solos, in the Illini’s victory Saturday over Minnesota.
Holocek has 86 tackles this year, fifth in the league.
Nucci a hit: Outside hitter Sue Nucci was named the Big 10’s Volleyball Player of the Week for her play in the Illini’s sweep of Iowa and Minnesota last weekend.
Nucci had 34 kills on the weekend, including 18 against the Golden Gophers. She also had 10 service aces, 24 digs and five blocks.
Unranked Illinois improved to 14-8 overall and 11-3 in the Big 10, where they are third behind Penn State and Ohio State. The Illini visit Ohio State on Friday and meet Penn State Saturday in State College.
Get ready: Kris Dupps led all scorers with 24 points and added nine rebounds in the Illinois’ women’s basketball team’s first scrimmage of the fall. Mandy Cunningham had 22 points and Anita Clinton added 19.
Kathy Lindsey’s team, which is trying to improve on last year’s seventh-place Big 10 finish, will move to Huff Hall this season from Assembly Hall. The women open the season at 2 p.m. Nov. 21 with an exhibition against the Chicago Challengers. The regular season is scheduled to open Nov. 30 against Illinois State.
More exposure: The kickoffs for Illinois’ last two regular-season football games have been moved by ABC. Saturday’s game at Penn State and the Nov. 20 showdown with Wisconsin in Champaign will start at 2:30 p.m.