Illinois
Northern Illinois returns 33 seniors from team that won first bowl game since 2011
CHICAGO (CBS) — The Northern Illinois University football team held its media day on Tuesday at Harry Caray’s Restaurant in downtown Chicago.
Head coach Thomas Hammock and the Huskies are returning 18 starters from last year’s team that won five of its last seven games, including a win over Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl.
It was the program’s first bowl win since 2011, and with 33 seniors on the roster, experience won’t be a problem in 2024.
“Just those big games, it makes a difference, you know?” said linebacker Jaden Dolphin. “Because we’ve all been there before. The seniors, all of us have a MAC championship, coming off a bowl game win last year too. We can use that momentum to just drive us into this season further than last year.”
Running back Antario Brown added, “I think we’re ready to call it off for one last time, one last ride with the Huskies and I think we’ll be ready.”
Hammock said with the seniors having grown and achieved such accomplishments in the program, he’s “looking forward” to next season.
“I think this will be their best season yet,” he said.
NIU is known as a giant killer. In Week 2 this season, the Huskies will travel to South Bend for its first-ever meeting with Notre Dame.
Illinois
Illinois high school football playoffs expanding in 2026
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (KWQC) – The IHSA football playoffs will be expanding by 50 percent in 2026.
IHSA member schools approved an amendment to expand the playoffs from 32 teams per class to 48.
There will still be 8 classifications increasing the total number of playoff teams from 256 to 384.
As a result of the change, the start of the season will be moved up by a week in August to allow the season to still finish with State Championship games the week of Thanksgiving.
Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.
Illinois
Woman found dead near Schamburg, Illinois shopping center, man in custody
A woman was found dead near a shopping center in Schaumburg, Illinois early Tuesday, and a man was taken into police custody.
Around 5:25 a.m., Schaumburg police were called to the 100 block of South Roselle Road. They found a woman dead at the scene.
Police said a man was taken into custody at the scene.
The investigation so far indicates that the incident was domestic, and the man and woman knew each other.
Police said the incident was isolated and there was no threat to the public. But there was a large police presence at the scene, and alternate routes were advised.
Illinois
Illinois officials investigating death connected to Rock Co. homicide
PRINCETON, Ill. (WMTV) – The Illinois State Patrol is investigating a death after officials found a suspect’s vehicle wanted in connection to a Wisconsin homicide, Illinois State Police reported.
Just before 10 p.m. on December 10, ISP troopers and several other agencies attempted to pull a vehicle over in Princeton, Illinois, that was wanted in a Rock County homicide.
Officials did not specify which Rock Co. case this incident is connected to.
Princeton is about an hour and 45 minutes away from Rock County, Wisconsin.
After the driver did not pull over, police chased the vehicle into the Great Sauk Trail Rest Area on I-80 westbound.
When officers went up to the vehicle, authorities stated the driver was found dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities did not identify the driver.
ISP is working with the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office in this investigation.
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Copyright 2025 WMTV. All rights reserved.
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