Miss. State faces Illinois in 1st game since death of Leach

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, left, reflects on impact on his life by the late Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach, while linebacker Nathaniel Watson, waits to speak during Leach's memorial service in Starkville, Miss., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Leach died, Dec. 12, 2022, from complications related to a heart condition at 61. He was in his third year as head coach. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

FILE - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema watches against Michigan in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Illinois signed coach Bret Bielema to a new six-year contract through 2028 on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, a big reward for transforming a struggling program into a winner in his second season. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)