Devon Witherspoon
FILE - Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell runs on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Campbell was named AP All-Big Ten Defensive player of the year, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
2022 Associated Press All-America Team

Dec. 12, 2022 01:44 PM EST

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) is tackled by Illinois linebacker Kenenna Odeluga and Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. Illinois won 41-3. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
ReliaQuest Bowl: High-flying Mississippi St vs stingy Illini

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2022 07:54 PM EST

Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) can't pull in a pass as Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog (13) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 3 Michigan hosts Illinois in Big Ten bruiser

By Bob Tripi Nov. 17, 2022 12:50 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Marc Lebryk)
Purdue visits No. 21 Illinois in key Big Ten West matchup

By Gavin Good Nov. 10, 2022 03:40 PM EST

Nebraska's tight end Chancellor Brewington (82) is tackled by Illinois' defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) in the first quarter during a football game between Illinois and Nebraska, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.(Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
No. 21 Illinois hosts Purdue with division title on the line

By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2022 02:54 PM EST

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
High-flying No. 14 Illinois hosts struggling Michigan State

The Associated Press Nov. 03, 2022 02:20 PM EDT

Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, left, scores a touchdown after intercepting a pass against Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Big Ten boasts some of nation's top defenses in 2022

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 25, 2022 04:47 PM EDT

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema walks off the field following a 34-10 win over Wisconsin in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Iowa visits Illinois in battle of Big Ten West contenders

By The Associated Press Oct. 06, 2022 05:36 PM EDT

FILE - Illinois's Chase Brown (2) runs against Indiana's Tiawan Mullen (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. The Big Ten's tradition of producing elite running backs is alive and well. The conference features the nation's top two rushers in Illinois' Chase Brown and Minnesota's Mohammed Ibrahim and four others are running for better than 100 yards per game. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Illinois eyes best start since 2015 as Chattanooga visits

By The Associated Press Sep. 21, 2022 02:19 PM EDT

Illinois defensive back Matthew Bailey (2) sings the school's alma mater with teammates Griffin Moore (43) and James Kreutz after an NCAA college football game against Virginia Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 24-3. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois defense locks down Virginia for 24-3 victory

By Gavin Good Sep. 10, 2022 08:15 PM EDT

Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla (8) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Illinois at Iowa 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 01:47 PM EST

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral is hit by Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Vedral left the game for medical attention but returned later. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois State at Western Illinois 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 01:33 PM EDT

Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (13) celebrates with Jahan Dotson (5) after catching a first quarter touchdown pass against Illinois during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Illinois at Penn State 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 02:01 PM EDT

Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor (3) as Devon Witherspoon also defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin at Illinois 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 05:01 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Chase Wolf throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Struggling Wisconsin looks to bounce back against Illinois

By Terry Towery Oct. 07, 2021 03:23 PM EDT

Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) intercepts the ball in the end zone during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Purdue Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Illini look for first win since August vs Charlotte

By Terry Towery Sep. 30, 2021 03:10 PM EDT

Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer (13) is tackled by Illinois defensive linemen Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and Jamal Woods (91) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
O'Connell rallies Boilermakers late to get past Illini 13-9

By Michael Marot Sep. 25, 2021 07:08 PM EDT

UTSA running back Brendon Brady, left, scores as Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen (35) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
UTSA at Illinois 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 09:23 PM EDT

Nebraska running back Markese Stepp backs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Illinois Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Nebraska at Illinois 8/28/2021

Aug. 28, 2021 02:53 PM EDT

Illinois running back Chase Brown (2) runs with the ball against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois State Redbirds at Western Illinois Leathernecks 12/13/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 03:33 PM EST