Sam Fariss

Joined: Mar 25, 2024

Sam Fariss is a staff writer for our NCAA team. She attended the University of Oregon (Go Ducks) where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Sam has covered college football and other collegiate sports for six years now. Her favorite teams are the Ducks (of course) and the Texas Longhorns because she was raised in Austin!

Bret Bielema, Purdue v Illinois

3-star Texas native picks the Fighting Illini over a slate of SEC and Big 10 programs

Bret Bielema, Michigan v Illinois

OVs seemingly cement blue-chip commits from the class of 2026 for the Fighting Illini

Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) reacts after losing to the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum.

Illinois fans need to mark their calendars for game against Texas Tech on Nov. 11

Brad Underwood, Illinois v Iowa

Illini schedule another brutal non-conference matchup with a blue-blood wanna be

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman J.C. Davis (74) in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium.

4-star IOL announces decision day and includes Illinois in final 6 schools

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema celebrates a 50-49 win over the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium.

4-star LBs reassure Fighting Illini they aren't looking anywhere other than Illinois

Nov 13, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood applauds the crowd before a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at State Farm Center.

The Fighting Illini are scheduling a blue-blood matchup for this holiday season

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) points to one of his blockers as he runs with the ball in the second quarter of a Big Ten football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in State College, Pa.

Big Ten analysts leave the Fighting Illini just shy of natty contenders

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches the game against the Oregon Ducks during the second half at Autzen Stadium.

Game-by-game predictions for the Fighting Illini's 2025 football season

Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema celebrates with player Kody Case (87) after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium.

Illini not out yet as three-star CB Nick Hankins Jr. weighs hometown loyalty

Bret Bielema, Michigan v Illinois

Amid huge Illinois recruiting day, 1 JUCO star's commitment slipped through the cracks

Dec 29, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood acknowledges the fans before a game with the Chicago State Cougars at State Farm Center.

2-way, 2-sport athlete Nasir Rankin adds juice to the Illinois athletic department

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema celebrates a 50-49 win over the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium.

Fighting Illini take over Chicago, landing stars from Illinois' biggest city

Illinois v Connecticut

Brad Underwood: “We obviously came out in the second half and got blitzed”

Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (0).

Illinois vs. Iowa State NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: How to watch, odds, and predictions

Mar 17, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Quincy Guerrier (13).

Illinois March Madness ticket prices: How much does it cost to attend the Sweet 16?