Illinois Football

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 24: A general stock view of an Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 24, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini commit Marquez Beason advances to title game

Illinois Football: Illini coaches putting in the time on the recruiting trail

Illinois Football: Illini extend Lovie Smith through 2023

Illinois Football: Two big areas for the Illini against Northwestern

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 26: Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jeff Thomas (4) carries the ball during a game between the Boston College Eagles and the Miami Hurricanes on October 26, 2018, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini might be getting second shot at Jeff Thomas

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen on the sidelines during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Isaiah Williams and Trinity Catholic look to make title game

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback AJ Bush (1) hands the ball off to Illinois Fighting Illini running back Ra'Von Bonner (21) in their own end zone during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 17, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Iowa

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback AJ Bush Jr. #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drops back to pass against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini have tough test against stout Iowa defense

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 03: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback AJ Bush Jr (1) leaps in to the end zone during a Big Ten Conference football game on November 3, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: 5 observations from Illini win over Minnesota

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 25: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 25, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini commits Beason, Thompson comment on DC change

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) with the ball in the second quarter during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Reggie Corbin is a bright spot for gloomy Illini season

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on October 27, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: It is not time to jump ship on Illini coaching staff

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 27: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks off the field after being defeated by the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on October 27, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: 4 observations from the Illini loss to Maryland

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 06: Sydney Brown #30 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tackles Travis Vokolek #89 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first quarter at HighPoint.com Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini are winning the games they are projected to win

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 20: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback M.J. Rivers II (8) throws a pass during an college football game between the Illinois fighting Illini and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 20th, 2018 at the Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. Wisconsin defeats Illinois 49-20. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini QB job up for grabs between AJ Bush and MJ Rivers

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 20: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith talks with the media after an college football game between the Illinois fighting Illini and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 20th, 2018 at the Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. Wisconsin defeats Illinois 49-20. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: There are still wins left for this Illini program

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 04: Louis Dorsey

Illinois Football: Losing Louis Dorsey and others is a minor setback for Illini

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: Purdue Boilermakers running back D. J. Knox (1) reacts after a short run during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Purdue won, 46-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Purdue

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 06: Reggie Corbin #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs in for a touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at HighPoint.com Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini finally finding an identity on offense

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 04: D.J. Knox #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs the ball as Bennett Williams #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tries to make the tackle at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 4, 2017 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini will have to adjust to life without Bennett Williams

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 06: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith during the College Football Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 6, 2018, at HighPoint.Com Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini win over Rutgers

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Illinois Fighting Illini fans cheer during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini progression will be tested against Rutgers

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Reggie Corbin #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Reggie Corbin and Mike Epstein continue to carry the load for Illini

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 25: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 25, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini will continue building into something great

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback M.J. Rivers II (8) throws the football in action during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the South Florida Bulls on September 15, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. The South Florida Bulls defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini by the score of 25 to 19. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Next two games for the Illini are crucial

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini class of 2019 will need to play early

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini and members of the Illinois Fighting Illini sing the school alma mater following the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini fans see program heading in right direction

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini greets fans before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: 5 observations from the Illini loss to Penn State