Illinois

Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and takeaways from Iowa basketball’s win vs Western Illinois

Published

2 months ago

November 8, 2025

Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and takeaways from Iowa basketball’s win vs Western Illinois

IOWA CITY — The scoreboard did not necessarily reflect it, but Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum was prouder of his team in the win over Western Illinois than in the season opener against Robert Morris.

The Hawkeyes jumped Robert Morris from the start, building a 17-2 lead and basically putting the Colonials away before they even had the chance to blink. It resulted in a 101-69 victory for Iowa, making for a successful beginning to the McCollum era

Iowa’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois a few days later was more methodical. The Hawkeyes led by just eight at halftime and weren’t able to run up the margin in a way they did against Robert Morris.

And yet, McCollum was more pleased with his team against Western Illinois than he was against Robert Morris.

Here is McCollum’s rationale.

“I think it’s more difficult for a team when you’re not totally T’d up,” he said. “I thought we were pretty T’d up but it wasn’t like it was the other day.”
“And then on top of it, their style of play,” he continued. “They didn’t really pass a whole lot. It was kind of just run the shot clock down, (isolation), get a shot. It kind of sucks the life out of the game because you can’t get a run going. And that was a great game plan by them. And then defensively, they just kind of like guard you, but they sit four or five feet off you, so you’re kind of in between what you’re supposed to do. And that, again, is a great game plan. I thought they had a great game plan. I didn’t think I was the best coach in the world today.”
“But I was really proud of the fact that we weren’t at our best and we still won the game and we still win it by (19).”

Here are more takeaways as Iowa improves to 2-0 on the season.

Alvaro Folgueiras makes impact in variety of ways

Folgueiras had his fingerprints all over the game, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals.

Folgueiras, who scored 11 of his 13 points before halftime, was playing so well that it prompted a lineup change out of the break. Folgueiras was on the bench to begin each of Iowa’s first two games, but replaced Cam Manyawu in the lineup to open the second half against Western Illinois.

McCollum said of the decision: “He was playing really well.”

Video: Alvaro Folgueiras scores 13 points in Iowa’s win over Western Illinois

Alvaro Folgueiras meets with media after Iowa basketball’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois.

It was a bit of a surprise on opening night to see that Folgueiras was not in Iowa’s starting lineup. The Robert Morris transfer was last season’s Horizon League Player of the Year and one of Iowa’s more marquee roster additions.

Folgueiras showed a glimpse of why against Western Illinois.

Folgueiras still needs to prove it against better competition, but his performance against the Leathernecks was undoubtedly a step in the right direction. The game provided a framework for how Folgueiras can be featured as a complementary piece to Bennett Stirtz, who was phenomenal, notching 24 points and seven assists.

“We have high expectations for him,” McCollum said of Folgueiras. “I think his talent says that he could be starting. The cool part about him is that it’s like, I want to earn this and I want to get in there and do that. When you challenge him, just like that, he came out and performed and was excellent. He’s seeing the work that he’s put in, in the weight room, conditioning, on the floor, attitude, all those things. He’s got a good attitude but just getting it redirected. He’s seeing the results of that now. And so, hopefully he continues to grow and get better.”

Tate Sage has been pleasant surprise

The freshman has clearly shown enough behind the scenes to earn a spot in the rotation early in his Iowa career. Though he shot just 1-of-6 from deep against Western Illinois, he still made contributions off the bench, finishing with eight points.

Through two games, Sage is playing an average of 20 minutes.

Sage did not come to Iowa surrounded by a bunch of hype. He was ranked just 364th nationally in the 2025 high school recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Sage was signed to play for McCollum at Drake before following the head coach to the Hawkeyes.

But he looks like someone who can help the Hawkeyes as a true freshman.

“We knew he was good,” McCollum said. “But we thought it would take him a year. But he’s got a little edge to him. He’s a 6-7 two-guard. And so, he’s got good length. He only going to get better… He’s got great energy. He’s a good competitor. I think if we’re going to be at our best, he’s going to need to be pretty good.”

Taking stock in Iowa’s offense

The Hawkeyes did not get close to reaching triple digits against Western Illinois like they did against Robert Morris, but it was still an efficient game offensively. Iowa shot 52% from the field and 40% from deep against the Leathernecks while only turning it over seven times.

“I think we were disrupted tonight,” McCollum said. “I didn’t feel good about our flow. I thought our efficiency was really good, though. I thought we scored. I thought the first game we had great rhythm, great flow, we didn’t play with disruption. Tonight, we were fairly unorganized and that’s on me. Didn’t get into our stuff quick enough. Again, on me, and their defense.”

Before Iowa’s season-opening game, McCollum stated that he thought his team was “a ways away offensively.” But through two games, it hasn’t looked that way.

Video: Ben McCollum reacts to Iowa’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois

Ben McCollum meets with media after Iowa basketball’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois.

It’s a very small sample size, but Iowa is shooting 57% from the field and 43% from 3-point range to open the season. The Hawkeyes have assisted on 42 of their 55 made field goals, which speaks to the way the ball is being shared.

The scoring output against Western Illinois was not as prolific as Robert Morris, but the Hawkeyes still delivered 77 points despite Brendan Hausen and Tate Sage going a combined 1-of-10 from deep.

It felt like there was a stigma about Iowa’s offense because of what McCollum’s team looked like at Drake last season. Granted, it’s against lesser competition, but early returns have pushed back on that perception. The Hawkeyes might not have the most explosive offense, but it looks like one with potential, at the very least.

“They go 5-for-10 on wide open and, those guys, 6-for-10 on wide open, now you’re talking a little bit different score,” McCollum said, referring to Hausen and Sage’s 3-point shooting vs. Western Illinois. “So even there, we’d have more efficiency. And that’s what our offense should be eventually. That’s what we had at Northwest (Missouri State). Like everybody compares our Drake offense, and it’s like, our Drake offense wasn’t exactly what we’re trying to get to.”

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com

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Illinois

Montana State wins the 2025-26 FCS football National Championship in overtime thriller

Published

10 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Montana State wins the 2025-26 FCS football National Championship in overtime thriller

The drought is over! We repeat, the drought is over! Montana State has won the FCS Championship for the first time since 1984, breaking a 41-year drought.

The Bobcats won the 2025-26 FCS Championship with a 35-34 win over Illinois State in overtime, holding off the Redbirds in the an overtime classic.

Walk-off overtime TD on 4th down to clinch 2026 FCS Championship

After Illinois State scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, the Redbirds had a shot at a game-winning field goal with just over one minute to play. That’s when the kick was blocked! The game proceeded to overtime.

MADNESS IN NASHVILLE, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! 🫨
The field goal kick gets blocked by @MSUBobcats_FB, scooped up, and returned back to the 45-yard line of Illinois State. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/apXWzNehjH
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026
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In overtime, Illinois State got the ball first and scored a touchdown to take the lead. That’s when the extra-point try was blocked as special teams miscues proved costly for Illinois State.

REDBIRDS STRIKE FIRST IN OVERTIME ⚡️
Dylan Lord scores his second touchdown of the game to give @RedbirdFB the lead. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/cE9621nX2Y
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026

However, Montana State still had to respond with a touchdown of their own. Facing 4th-and-10, quarterback Justin Lamson hit wide receiver Taco Dowler for the game-tying score. To win the game, Colby Frokjer knocked in the game-winning PAT.

TACO DOWLER TOUCHDOWN 🚨🚨🚨
Lamson connects with Dowler in the end zone for an overtime @MSUBobcats_FB touchdown. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/gBdNnha0PR
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— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026

The game-winning touchdown earned Lamson Most Outstanding Player honors. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 30 yards and two scores.

“There’s not many moments that are gonna be better than this.”@MSUBobcats_FB’s @justin_lamson10 reflects on bringing back the first title in 41 years back to Bozeman with @stan_becton 🏆 #FCSChampionship pic.twitter.com/2UQuvtKXO2
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026

It’s the first championship of the Brent Vigen era in Bozeman as the head coach lifts the trophy for the first in his third championship game appearance. The win is also the Big Sky’s first over the MVFC in a championship game, bringing the all time record to 4-1.

Full finish: CHAOTIC Q4 ending, FIRST-EVER FCS title game overtime

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Illinois

‘Very high’ levels of flu cases reported in Illinois amid ‘significant winter surge’

Published

22 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

‘Very high’ levels of flu cases reported in Illinois amid ‘significant winter surge’

What to Know

-Children between the ages of 5-17 are seeing the highest impact in the surge in cases in Illinois
-COVID cases are also on the rise, with “moderate” levels reported by the CDC
-Illinois health officials say just 22% of the state’s residents have received flu immunizations, while 6.8% have received COVID vaccine boosters

Hospital admissions and positive tests for influenza are soaring in Illinois, prompting warnings and concerns from health officials.

According to an update Monday from the Illinois Department of Public Health, flu activity in the state has climbed to “very high” levels in recent days, the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness activity used by the CDC.

Data available via the IDPH’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard shows that more than 19% of emergency room visits in Illinois during the last reporting period were due to acute respiratory illness, with more than 18% of hospital admissions attributed to those illnesses.

Acute respiratory illnesses include the flu as well as COVID-19 and RSV, according to officials.

COVID-19 rates are also on the rise, increasing to “moderate” levels in the state according to the CDC.

The CDC uses wastewater monitoring to help detect viruses infecting people in a community, according to its website.

The bulk of hospital admissions and ER visits associated with respiratory illnesses were made because of flu symptoms, according to officials.

Health officials in Illinois are warning of a new and unexpected mutation that could make for a “more serious flu season.” Natalie Martinez has more.

Data shows that the spike in illnesses is having a serious impact on those residents under the age of 18. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 are most impacted by hospital admissions related to acute respiratory illnesses and the flu, while residents over the age of 65 are most impacted by COVID-19.

In the press release, Illinois also reported its first influenza death in a child this season.

“Illinois is facing a significant winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses with flu activity at very high levels,” Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH director, said. “Vaccinations remain the most effective tool to prevent severe illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.”

That push for vaccinations comes as approximately 22% of state residents have received flu shots, according to Illinois health officials. Even though flu season peaks in January and February, officials caution that it can last into May, making vaccination a smart strategy in containing spread of the illness.

In addition to vaccines, washing hands frequently is critical to preventing spread of the illness, as is covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing a mask when ill.

Antiviral treatments can also minimize symptoms and speed up recovery, but must be sought in the early stages of the illness to be effective, officials warn.

More information can be found on IDPH’s website.

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Illinois

Former Michigan State QB Katin Houser lands at new Big Ten program

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Former Michigan State QB Katin Houser lands at new Big Ten program

ECU Pirates quarterback Katin Houser has committed to transfer to the Illinois Fighting Illini per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He previously played for the Michigan State Spartans.

Katin Houser played his high school football at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California. There, he was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2022. Houser had been the 210th-ranked player nationally and the 13th-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle. He’d initially attend Michigan State, choosing the Spartans over several Power Four options.

In 2022, Houser’s first year with Michigan State, he would appear in two games and utilize his redshirt. That’s before he played in 11 games during the 2023 season, before transferring out alongside a coaching change at Michigan State. In the end, he landed at ECU.

Houser has spent the last two seasons at ECU. While there, he would play in 21 games over two seasons. In both of those years, Houser would help lead the Pirates to bowl wins. It was the first back-to-back bowl wins for the program since the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Individually, Houser has found plenty of success too. In 2025 alone, Houser completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns. That was against six interceptions. He also rushed for 181 yards and another nine touchdowns.

For his career, Katin Houser has played in 34 total games. He has completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 6,438 yards and 43 touchdowns. That’s against 22 interceptions. He also has 352 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns for his career.

Illinois is coming off two excellent seasons under Bret Bielema, when the Illini were quarterbacked by Luke Altmyer. During that time, Illinois went 19-7 with two bowl wins. For Illinois, it was the program’s first back-to-back bowl wins since 2010 and 2011. 19 wins was also their most wins in program history over a two-season stretch. Now, however, Altmyer is out of eligibility, meaning Bielema needs to find the quarterback of the future.

This offseason will see Illinois overhaul its roster. The Fighting Illini have already had 25 transfers. That includes quarterback Trey Petty. Along with Katin Houser, Illinois has also added transfer quarterback Maurice Smith from the portal. He’s coming from Division II Chowan University. So, it’s safe to say that Illinois isn’t done with its Transfer Portal additions just yet.

One interesting note in the upcoming 2026 schedule. Illinois is set to play at Michigan State, which will act as a kind of homecoming game for Katin Houser. The date and time for that game aren’t set yet.

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