Steve Stein – Page 3 –

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) celebrates with teammates after a first-half touchdown against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Champaign. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Luke Altmyer’s 4 TD passes help Illinois become bowl-eligible again with a 35-13 win over Rutgers

November 1, 2025 at 4:25 p.m.

Luke Altmyer threw for 235 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 88 yards to lead Illinois to a 35-13 victory over Rutgers.

Illinois running back Kaden Feagin (3) celebrates a touchdown run with offensive lineman Melvin Priestly during the first half against Purdue on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Darron Cummings/AP)

No. 1 Ohio State is coming to Champaign. Can the No. 17 Illini duplicate their feat of 75 years ago?

October 10, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

It has been 75 years since a ranked Illinois team played host to a No. 1 team. The Illini beat top-ranked Ohio State in 1950 in Champaign.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema and his daughter celebrate with fans after the Illini defeated USC 34-32 at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025, in Champaign. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

No. 23 Illinois edges No. 21 USC 34-32 on David Olano’s last-second field goal

September 27, 2025 at 5:43 p.m.

David Olano kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired, lifting No. 23 Illinois to a 34-32 victory over No. 21 USC on Saturday.

Illinois linebackers Alec Bryant (3) and Gabe Jacas celebrate after a play against Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Champaign. (Melissa Tamez/AP)

Bret Bielema’s spirited halftime speech jolts No. 9 Illinois into high gear in 38-0 rout of Western Michigan

September 13, 2025 at 11:30 p.m.

Luke Altmyer threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 9 Illinois shut out Western Michigan 38-0 on Saturday night.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema looks towards the field during the first half against Duke in Durham, N.C., on Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

No. 9 Illinois — a 27½-point favorite — expects winless Western Michigan’s ‘best shot’

September 12, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema is wary of a trap game against winless Western Michigan on Saturday night: “We’re going to get their best shot.”

Illinois' Kasparas Jakučionis pulls down a rebound in the second half against Purdue on March 7, 2025. in Champaign. The Illini won 88-80. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Kasparas Jakučionis’ 3-pointer completes Illinois’ second-half rally in an 88-80 win over No. 18 Purdue

March 7, 2025 at 10:33 p.m.

Kasparas Jakučionis hit a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left to put Illinois ahead for good, and the Illini rallied past No. 18 Purdue 88-80 on Friday night.

Illinois' Will Riley, left, and Ohio State's John Mobley Jr. battle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

Will Riley scores 24 as No. 18 Illinois mounts a late comeback to beat Ohio State 87-79

February 2, 2025 at 3:46 p.m.

Will Riley scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half and No. 18 Illinois men's basketball rallied from an 11-point deficit to beat Ohio State 87-79.

Illinois coach Brad Underwood reacts to a play against Maryland during the second half on Jan. 23, 2025, in Champaign. The Illini lost 91-70. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

No. 17 Illinois — playing without Tomislav Ivišić — falls to Maryland 91-70 for their 3rd loss in 4 games

January 23, 2025 at 11:17 p.m.

Julian Reese had 27 points and 17 rebounds and Derik Queen scored 25 points to lead Maryland to a 91-70 victory over No. 17 Illinois on Thursday night.

USC's Saint Thomas, bottom, calls for a timeout while fighting for a loose ball with Illinois' Ben Humrichous during the second half on Jan. 11, 2025, in Champaign. (Craig Pessman/AP)

No. 13 Illinois men lose to USC 82-72, ending their 5-game winning streak

January 11, 2025 at 9:11 p.m.

Desmond Claude scored a season-high 31 points to lead USC to an 82-72 win over No. 13 Illinois on Saturday, snapping the Illini's five-game winning streak.

Illinois' Ben Humrichous shoots over Miles Goodman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Penn State, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)

No. 13 Illinois routs Penn State 91-52 behind Ben Humrichous’ 21 points

January 9, 2025 at 10:24 a.m.

No. 13 Illinois men's basketball beat Penn State 91-52 on Wednesday for its fifth straight victory.

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