No. 17 Illini out to avoid complacency in trip to Nebraska

No. 17 Illini out to avoid complacency in trip to Nebraska

The last time Illinois won its sixth game by mid-October to achieve bowl eligibility, it went on to lose six straight.

The last time Illinois won its sixth game by mid-October to achieve bowl eligibility, it went on to lose six straight.

Illinois State hangs on to beat Indiana State 27-21

Illinois State hangs on to beat Indiana State 27-21

The Redbirds took a 20-0 lead in the first quarter on Annexstad's 9-yard run and his touchdown passes of 56 yards to Jalen Carr and 18 yards to Brock Annexstad.

The Redbirds took a 20-0 lead in the first quarter on Annexstad's 9-yard run and his touchdown passes of 56 yards to Jalen Carr and 18 yards to Brock Annexstad.

Rourke, Wiglusz pass Ohio past Northern Illinois, 24-17

Rourke, Wiglusz pass Ohio past Northern Illinois, 24-17

Sam Wiglusz leaped high to pull in a 22-yard pass from Kurtis Rourke over an outstretched defender in the end zone for the deciding fourth-quarter touchdown

Sam Wiglusz leaped high to pull in a 22-yard pass from Kurtis Rourke over an outstretched defender in the end zone for the deciding fourth-quarter touchdown

Illini team, fans feel something special this football season

Illini team, fans feel something special this football season

You must be a long time Illinois fan to remember feeling like this before. With a 6-1 record, the Fighting Illini have tied the program's strongest start from 1953.

You must be a long time Illinois fan to remember feeling like this before. With a 6-1 record, the Fighting Illini have tied the program's strongest start from 1953.

NIL deals: College football, track star known as ‘King of NIL’ has 70 endorsements

NIL deals: College football, track star known as ‘King of NIL’ has 70 endorsements

The 21-year-old running back reached out to 100 companies before landing his first “name, image and likeness” deal and has acquired dozens of endorsements over the past year.

The 21-year-old running back reached out to 100 companies before landing his first “name, image and likeness” deal and has acquired dozens of endorsements over the past year.

Northern Illinois runs over Eastern Michigan 39-10

Northern Illinois runs over Eastern Michigan 39-10

Antario Brown finished with 86 yards on 17 carries for Northern Illinois (2-5, 1-2 Mid-American Conference). Harrison Waylee had a 76-yard touchdown run.

Antario Brown finished with 86 yards on 17 carries for Northern Illinois (2-5, 1-2 Mid-American Conference). Harrison Waylee had a 76-yard touchdown run.

Illinois State holds off South Dakota for 12-10 victory

Illinois State holds off South Dakota for 12-10 victory

Trailing 10-6 late in the third quarter, Zack Annexstad threw to Jerome Buckner for 41 yards and a first down at the South Dakota 3-yard line.

Trailing 10-6 late in the third quarter, Zack Annexstad threw to Jerome Buckner for 41 yards and a first down at the South Dakota 3-yard line.

Minnesota Gophers' Morgan taken to hospital during game at Illinois after hit to head; Illinois wins 26-14

Minnesota Gophers' Morgan taken to hospital during game at Illinois after hit to head; Illinois wins 26-14

Tanner Morgan was running on a third-down play as linebackers Isaac Darkangelo and Gabe Jacas converged on him, with Jacas punching Morgan on the right side of his helmet. No penalty was called.

Tanner Morgan was running on a third-down play as linebackers Isaac Darkangelo and Gabe Jacas converged on him, with Jacas punching Morgan on the right side of his helmet. No penalty was called.

No. 24 Illini welcome Minnesota for pivotal Big Ten tilt

No. 24 Illini welcome Minnesota for pivotal Big Ten tilt

No. 24 Illinois will attempt to defend a streak on behalf of their coach, who has an unblemished 8-0 career record against Minnesota dating to his time as the coach of the Badgers.

No. 24 Illinois will attempt to defend a streak on behalf of their coach, who has an unblemished 8-0 career record against Minnesota dating to his time as the coach of the Badgers.

Bielema boost: No. 24 Illini ahead of schedule in year two

Bielema boost: No. 24 Illini ahead of schedule in year two

Bret Bielema suddenly has No. 24 Illinois looking like a Big Ten West contender in his second year since replacing Lovie Smith as the Illini’s coach.

Bret Bielema suddenly has No. 24 Illinois looking like a Big Ten West contender in his second year since replacing Lovie Smith as the Illini’s coach.

Bielema, surging Illini collect AP Big Ten midseason honors

Bielema, surging Illini collect AP Big Ten midseason honors

Second-year coach Bret Bielema and his Illinois football team are achieving at a rate not seen in the program in a long time. A very long time in some cases.

Second-year coach Bret Bielema and his Illinois football team are achieving at a rate not seen in the program in a long time. A very long time in some cases.

Backup kicker’s field goal lifts Illini to 9-6 win over Iowa

Backup kicker’s field goal lifts Illini to 9-6 win over Iowa

Backup, walk-on kicker Fabrizio Pinton hit a 36-yard field goal with 2:46 to go and Matthew Bailey made a late interception to lift Illinois to a 9-6 win over Iowa on Saturday night, its first over the Hawkeyes since 2008.

Backup, walk-on kicker Fabrizio Pinton hit a 36-yard field goal with 2:46 to go and Matthew Bailey made a late interception to lift Illinois to a 9-6 win over Iowa on Saturday night, its first over the Hawkeyes since 2008.

Wisconsin dominates Leonhard debut, pounds Northwestern 42-7

Wisconsin dominates Leonhard debut, pounds Northwestern 42-7

Graham Mertz threw for a career-high 299 yards and matched one with five touchdowns, Chimere Dike set personal bests with 185 yards receiving and three TD catches, and Wisconsin dominated in interim coach Leonhard’s first game, pounding struggling Northwestern 42-7 on Saturday.

Graham Mertz threw for a career-high 299 yards and matched one with five touchdowns, Chimere Dike set personal bests with 185 yards receiving and three TD catches, and Wisconsin dominated in interim coach Leonhard’s first game, pounding struggling Northwestern 42-7 on Saturday.