Illinois

2024 Know Your Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2024

2024 Know Your Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini

With Week 0 of the College Football Season beginning today, we will take a look at Northwestern’s final regular season opponent: the Illinois Fighting Illini. Coming off a disappointing 5-7 season, the Illini are looking to bounce back. With a good showing in the transfer portal, the Wildcats’ rivals are looking for revenge from a season ago.

The Basics

Returning Production: 62% overall (58% offense, 65% defense); 65th in FBS

2023 Record: 5-7

Head Coach: Bret Bielema

Preseason AP Poll Ranking: Unranked

The Stats

The following metrics are courtesy of Bill Connelly and ESPN. You can read more about the rankings and theory behind them here.

2024 SP+ Overall: 66th

2024 SP+ Offense: 90th

2024 SP+ Defense: 44th

2024 SP+ Special Teams: 77th

2023 Capsule

The Illinois Fighting Illini had a forgettable season in 2023. Starting off the season 1-0 after a two-point win over Toledo, the Illini would lose four of their next five. After a 2-4 start, they finished the season going 3-3 in their final six games. The overall losing record doesn’t tell the whole story though.

All of Illinois’ first four losses were by double digits. However, their final three losses of the season were much closer. Their loss to Wisconsin was four points, and their losses to Iowa and Northwestern were both two points. Their wins the entire season were also always one score games, with their highest margin of victory being six.

Illinois only reached 30+ points in three of their games in 2023. Those games being the first of the season against Toledo, and then their overtime win against Indiana in their third-to-last game, along with their loss in the final regular season game to Northwestern. However, their quarterback in the last three games of the season, with two of them being games in which the Illini scored over 40 points, is no longer on the team.

For most of the season, Luke Altmyer was the starting quarterback for Illinois. However, it wasn’t just Altmyer at quarterback for the Illini last season. Ball State transfer John Paddock also had his fair share of game time and ended up being the more efficient player over the course of the season. Paddock however is now in the NFL, and Altmyer is going to be the starter for Illinois this upcoming season.

Offensive Overview

In their 2023 campaign, the Fighting Illini scored 24.5 points per game. The offense averaged 391 total yards per game, with 264.6 pass yards per game and 126.4 rush yards per game. Coming back on offense for Illinois is quarterback Luke Altmyer. Last season, Altmyer threw 13 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, had a completion percentage of 64.8%, and threw for 1,883 yards. He also carried the ball 94 times for 284 yards and three touchdowns.

The Illini’s third receiver from a season ago is also back. Senior Pat Bryant is coming off a 43-catch, 560-yard, and seven touchdown junior season. The top two receivers for Altmyer, though, Isaiah Williams and Casey Washington, are both no longer with the team. They do have a new face in the receiver room in transfer from Ole Miss, Zakhari Franklin. Franklin, who is entering his sixth year, was a 1,000-yard receiver in his fourth year at UTSA before transferring to Ole Miss for 2023. However, last season wasn’t good for Franklin, as an injury early in fall camp led to him falling out of the rotation and barely seeing the field. Franklin is now hoping to reemerge as a star and be the go-to target for this Illini offense. Illinois also sees running back Kaden Faegin returning for his sophomore season following a two touchdown, 438-yard freshman campaign.

Despite the familiar faces returning at the skill positions, the potential of this offense all comes down to the men up front. Last season, the Fighting Illini allowed 40 sacks, putting them in the bottom-20 in sacks allowed. The Illini are losing 64 starts from their starting tackles from 2023 heading to the NFL, but the future of this offensive line isn’t too bad. They have many returning pieces, including center Josh Kreutz who has continued to develop. They also have some good transfers in to help bolster the line thanks to coach Bielema; the main piece being former New Mexico offensive J.C. Davis. Lastly for this line, incoming freshman Andrew Dennis might make an impact right away as a big-time recruit for this program.

Defensive Overview

On the defensive side of the ball, Illinois gave up 29.4 points per game. They also had 24 sacks, putting them right in the middle of the pack in all of the FBS. Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois’ sack leader last season with 7.5, is on to the NFL. The second and third sack leaders for the Illini defense are still with the team: redshirt senior Seth Coleman who had six sacks last season and junior Gabe Jacas who had four.

The top defensive backs for Illinois in 2023 are also back. Miles Scott is bringing his two interceptions (both were pick-sixes) and his 63 total tackles with him into his redshirt junior season. Also returning is junior Xavier Scott, who had two interceptions as well to go along with 11 pass deflections and 57 total tackles. Tyler Strain also comes back for the Illini, and is expected to make a huge jump as he enters his redshirt junior year. This secondary also adds 2023 All-Big 12 honorable mention Terrance Brooks from Texas through the transfer portal.

The Illini also see their interior linebackers from a season ago returning. Dylan Rosiek, who led the team with 82 total tackles and four forced fumbles. The other inside linebacker, Kenenna Odeluga, had two forced fumbles of his own last season. With much of their defensive players coming back, the Illini are set up to have strong defensive showings week-to-week.

Source link

Click to comment

Illinois

Illinois eyeing an unconventional transfer portal replacement for Keaton Wagler

Published

11 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Illinois eyeing an unconventional transfer portal replacement for Keaton Wagler

To be clear, nobody is expecting a player to come into the Illinois basketball program and own the campus as Keaton Wagler did. Nobody is actually “replacing” Keaton Wagler.

His one-and-only season for the Illini is the stuff of legend. Hopefully, you appreciated him thoroughly while he wore the Orange and Blue.

Wagler’s number will be in the rafters, and his name will be on the lips of Illinois fans for generations.

His name will also be uttered frequently on the recruiting trail. Both prep and transfer portal prospects can see the benefits of following in Wagler’s Nike sneakers in Champaign.

While John Blackwell is the most well-known pursuit for an Illini program casting a narrow net in the transfer portal, Providence guard Stefan Vaaks is a name that keeps surfacing.

Providence freshman Stefan Vaaks is entering the transfer portal, he announced on Instagram. Estonia native averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists during his lone season with the Friars.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 17, 2026

Vaaks is a name that immediately made sense to Illini observers. The 6-foot-7 Baltic guard averaged 15.8 points per game for Providence as a true freshman. With three years of eligibility remaining, he has a high ceiling as both a sniper and a facilitator.

His positional size and skill set make him a natural fit to fill the Wagler-sized hole in the Illini backcourt.

Vaaks shot 35% from behind the three-point arc in his lone season with the Friars. While that number doesn’t “wow” like Paul McNeil Jr., it does show his ability to score from deep.

Vaaks was the focal point of the Friars’ offense. He had a 31% usage rate last season. For context, Wagler had a 28.5% usage rate. He showed an ability to dominate the ball and fill it up.

I encourage you to take three-and-a-half minutes of your day to watch this video. You will see many Brad Underwood-friendly, useful traits.

He has a lightning-quick release
He can make the shots Underwood calls “gold medal” shots. As evidence, he shot 40% on catch-and-shoot opportunities.
He has excellent positional size
He excels in opportunities to space the floor

If Illinois lands both Vaaks and John Blackwell, that would give Illinois two guards who can score, space the floor, and create opportunities for teammates.

Even traditional Illinois rage baiters see the fit.

Illinois basketball will provide Stefan Vaaks the support he was missing at his last stop

Vaaks didn’t have the best shot selection last season. But in fairness, he often was going one-on-three on drives to the basket due to the lack of quality teammates.

If the Balkan retention follows the optimistic vibes of recent days, Vaaks won’t have that problem. He will have other floor-spacers and playmakers to share the court with.

It’s a rational refrain when thinking about Illinois transfer portal targets. “Put that guy on a talented, loaded Illinois team, and he will be more efficient.”

The heat has been turned up on this recruitment. Vaaks is the kind of player blue bloods close on early in transfer portal season. If you close your eyes, you can likely picture him in a UConn jersey.

Illinois is recruiting like a team that belongs on the same stage as the nation’s elite programs. If Underwood and his staff of closers can get Blackwell and Vaaks to sign on the line that is dotted, they can have all the coffee they want.

And perhaps they’ll be enjoying that coffee in Detroit.

Source link

Illinois

Police investigating shooting near gas station in Oak Forest, officials say

Published

23 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Sunday, April 12, 2026 3:26AM

Police investigating shooting near gas station in south suburbs

OAK FOREST, Ill. (WLS) — Police were investigating a shooting Saturday near a gas station in the south suburbs.

The shooting happened near 167th and Cicero streets in Oak Forest, officials said.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

At least one person may have been hurt, ABC7 was told.

Police said the suspect fled eastbound on 167th Street toward I-57.

The intersection at 167th and Cicero remained closed as police investigated.

There was no further threat to the community, police said.

No further information was available as police continue to investigate.

Source link

Illinois

Illinois Secretary of State Warns Residents of Toll Scam Texts and Calls

Published

1 day ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Secretary of State Warns Residents of Toll Scam Texts and Calls

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is alerting motorists across the state to a surge in scam texts and phone calls impersonating the Secretary of State’s office, in an effort to steal money and sensitive personal information. This week, scammers have introduced new tactics, sending text messages and making phone calls that falsely claim to be from the Secretary of State’s office. The fraudulent messages allege that Illinois residents are behind on toll payments and threaten penalties ranging from fines and suspension of driving privileges to vehicle registration blocks and legal action.

In response, Secretary Giannoulias has launched a statewide consumer protection campaign, “Don’t Click. It’s a Trick,” to warn Illinoisans not to click on suspicious links. He emphasized that the Secretary of State’s office and the DMV never send texts requesting payment or threatening penalties.

“Scammers are using every tool they can—texts, phone calls, and fake websites—to pressure people into handing over money and personal information,” Giannoulias said. “They want to create fear, confusion, and urgency so Illinoisans act before they think. Don’t fall for it. If you get a text or call claiming to be from the DMV and demanding payment or threatening consequences, it’s a scam.”

To help combat the fraud, Giannoulias’ office has set up a dedicated email address—scamalert@ilsos.gov—for reporting scam texts. Residents are encouraged to take a screenshot of the suspicious message and send it to the Secretary of State’s office, which is working with law enforcement to identify and shut down scammer websites.

What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Text:

Never click links in unsolicited DMV texts.

Never send money or personal information.

Report the message to scamalert@ilsos.gov.

Delete the message immediately.

The Secretary of State’s office reminds residents that it only sends text message reminders for scheduled DMV appointments. It does not send texts or make calls about driver’s license status, vehicle registration issues, or enforcement actions.

Source link