Illinois

‘We’re gonna ball in them’: Player reactions to Illinois Red Grange throwback uniforms

Published

1 year ago

August 10, 2024

‘We’re gonna ball in them’: Player reactions to Illinois Red Grange throwback uniforms

On Wednesday, Illinois football announced that it would honor the legacy of Red Grange and his six-touchdown day for Memorial Stadium’s rededication game on Oct. 19, when the Illini host the Michigan Wolverines.

October’s game will mark exactly 100 years since ‘The Galloping Ghost’ ran for five touchdowns and threw for another against the Wolverines. The game was Memorial Stadium’s “Dedication Game,” which honored those who served the nation in World War I.

In the first game ever played at Memorial Stadium, the Illini beat the Wolverines 39-14.

Earlier this year, the program also announced three different throwback helmets that the team would use this season.

Illinois Fighting Illini Athletics

The Rededication throwback uniforms feature helmets that look to imitate the leather caps that were worn when Red Grange played. The helmets are handpainted by one of two artists specializing in airbrushing football helmets.

The uniforms were on display at Illinois Football Media Day on Thursday.

At Illinois Football Media Day on Thursday, The Champaign Room had the opportunity to speak with players and gauge their opinions on the throwback uniforms.

“The helmet was sick. You’ve never seen that type of helmet.” sophomore wide receiver Malik Elzy said. “I feel like I could drip them out. Put something on with them.”

Malik Elzy playing in this spring’s Orange and Blue Spring Game

“That was lit, seeing the uniforms. That was lit,” defensive back Torrie Cox Jr. said. The junior transferred in from Ohio this offseason. “I ain’t never had no special uniform as well, you know? They look nice. We’re gonna ball in them.”

Terrance Brooks, a defensive back and fellow incoming transfer, doesn’t quite share Cox’s enthusiasm.

“I love the helmet, but no I’m not really a fan of the jersey I’m not gonna lie,” junior defensive back Terrance Brooks said. Brooks is a former top-100 recruit, transferring in from Texas.”

While Brooks had his likes and dislikes about the uniform, some teammates seem to love it.

Teammate Zy Crisler, entering his third year at Illinois after starting his career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, is one of those teammates.

“It was really cool to me,” offensive lineman Zy Crisler said. I ain’t really see how they used to wear the helmets with the little flaps, like little beanie hats back in the day. “It’s kind of nice and kind of cool. It made me go read more about back when they played and stuff like that. So I was pretty excited seeing it. I like the jerseys too, they’re pretty cool.”

“I like them. Especially the helmet, the helmet is pretty hard,” freshman quarterback Trey Petty said. He also tapped into how important the uniforms is, not just how they look. “Being able to be a part of that, the 100th anniversary and being able to wear those jerseys is a big honor.”

Tight end Tanner Arkin is also on the same page as Crisler and Petty, acknowledging the historical significance of the uniforms.

Illinois TE Tanner Arkin celebrating his first collegiate touchdown last season against Wisconsin.

“I think they’re awesome. I think they did a great job,” Arkin said. “And I just think there’s so much history here. I just feel honored that I’m able to play in this 100 [year] anniversary game. I think it’ll be an awesome experience, especially against Michigan.”

When the Michigan Wolverines, the current defending champs, make the trip down to Champaign, the Illini will do their best to recreate what Red Grange did: beat the Wolverines.

What are your thoughts on the uniforms? Let us know in the comments!

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Illinois

Candy Cane Lane celebrating 45 years in southern Illinois

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Candy Cane Lane celebrating 45 years in southern Illinois

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – A beloved Christmas tradition in southern Illinois is celebrating 45 years this holiday season.

Organizers say Candy Cane Lane is a unique and completely free Christmas display that brings holiday magic to life!

Committee members say 2025 is the biggest year ever for Candy Cane Lane, which now features over 100,000 sparkling lights, more than 500 characters, and 90 incredible scenes inspired by Disney, Universal, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, and many more.

Candy Cane Lane began in 1980 and was created by Mr. Tim Murphy. Murphy was an inspiring art teacher in West Frankfort whose creativity and holiday spirit touched countless lives, according to committee members.

Over the years, Tim’s many art students helped his vision grow brighter and bigger.

In 2019, Candy Cane Lane was featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, gaining national recognition for its charm and artistry.

Tim Murphy passed away in 2020 from complications with COVID-19; his dear friends, Iris and Bobby Kohzadi, vowed to keep his legacy.

A dedicated Candy Cane Lane committee was formed, and the holiday attraction is now a licensed nonprofit organization.

Leaders say they continue to expand and enhance Candy Cane Lane each year, ensuring that Tim Murphy’s spirit of joy, community, and creativity lives on for generations to come.

The non-profit is run strictly off of donations, which also help fund a scholarship program at Frankfort Community High School.

Candy Cane Lane is located at the West Frankfort Community Park at 1100 E. Cleveland Street, and is open nightly through December 27, 2025, at 9:00 p.m.

For more information or to donate to Candy Cane Lane, visit their Facebook page.

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Illinois

Late Heroics Lift Meseraull In Southern Illinois Center – SPEED SPORT

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Late Heroics Lift Meseraull In Southern Illinois Center – SPEED SPORT

DU QUOIN, Ill. — Thomas Meseraull used late-race heroics to earn his 10th career feature win while battling inside the Southern Illinois Center with the POWRi National Midget League on Saturday night.

Meseraull led the final 10 laps of the feature honoring industry icon Junior Knepper at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

High-point qualifier Zach Daum and fast-timer Brylee Kilmer battled as the green flag waved, with Daum gaining the initial advantage on the opening lap as Trey Marcham, Meseraull, Daniel Robinson and Kilmer all kept pace inside the early top five.

Leading steadily, Daum would appear in fine form inside the Southern Illinois Center as the laps ticked away, with Meseraull, Marham, Frank Flud, Robinson, Christopher Bell, Chris Andrews, Corbin Rueschenberg,and Kole Kirkman contending.

Using precision driving through lapped traffic, Meseraull would strike for the top spot with only 10 laps remaining as Daum stayed within striking distance while keeping Marcham, Flud and Daniel Robinson at bay.

Holding steady over a late-race restart, Meseraull would not be denied in earning his second POWRi National Midget feature win inside the Southern Illinois Center over the past three years.

“This Ford was hooked up and ripping’ tonight,” said Meseraull. “Feels great to finally get it done in 2025 after having a rough year. This place can turn into bumper cars, and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get it done here.”

Remaining up front early-leader of 30 laps, Daum would place runner-up with Marcham finalizing the podium placements. Hard-charging from starting 19th, Kyle Jones finished fourth, with Robinson fifth.

The finish:

Feature (40 Laps): 1. 7S-Thomas Meseraull[3]; 2. 5D-Zach Daum[1]; 3. 32-Trey Marcham[5]; 4. 7TX-Kyle Jones[19]; 5. 57-Daniel Robinson[7]; 6. 81F-Frank Flud[6]; 7. 95-Chris Andrews[10]; 8. 6-Brylee Kilmer[4]; 9. 17R-Rylan Gray[15]; 10. 14J-Wout Hoffmans[22]; 11. 23-Devon Dobie[17]; 12. 77J-John Klabunde[21]; 13. 67-Kole Kirkman[8]; 14. 15V-Cole Vanderheiden[12]; 15. 15-RJ Corson[16]; 16. 23T-Ashton Thompson[13]; 17. 26-Corbin Rueschenberg[14]; 18. 21-Christopher Bell[9]; 19. 7G-Parker Perry[11]; 20. 2F-Casey Friedrichsen[20]; 21. 4-Kale Drake[2]; 22. 71C-Gunnar Pike[18]

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Illinois

Illinois State defeats Villanova in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals, advances to national title

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Illinois State defeats Villanova in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals, advances to national title

Illinois State dominated Villanova on the road from start to finish en route to a 30-14 FCS semifinal win.

Illinois State set the tone early with a 53-yard bomb to star wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz who finished with seven catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns. His second touchdown put the Redbirds up 21-6 entering halftime, putting the game out of reach.

In the second half, Illinois State leaned on a third-straight career-high day on the ground from running back Victor Dawson, who rushed for 155 yards after going for 148 and 137 in his last two games. Dawson and the ground attack dominated the time of possession for 36:48. Click or tap here for final stats from the game.

HOW ABOUT THOSE REDBIRDS!!!!!!!!!#ValleyFootball x #FCS x @RedbirdFB x @ISURedbirds x @NCAA_FCS x @ESPNCFB x @espn pic.twitter.com/otoo7t1YoM
— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball) December 21, 2025
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Illinois State becomes the first team in the 24-team FCS playoff era to make the national championship game after playing all road games and only the second unseeded team in the 24-team era to make the national championship game.

Overall, it’ll be Illinois State’s first FCS Championship game appearance since 2014. The Redbirds have never won a national championship.

You can catch the 2025-26 FCS Championship Game on Monday, January 5, 2026 at theFirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

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