Jake Hansen
Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) eludes Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen (35) and Sydney Brown (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
LB Jake Hansen's career at Illinois ends after knee surgery

Oct. 20, 2021 03:21 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 uses running game to roll over Illinois 24-0

Terry Towery Oct. 09, 2021 07:15 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

Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Purdue tight end Payne Durham (87) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 27-13. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Quarterback questions loom as Purdue, Illinois clash

By Michael Marot Sep. 23, 2021 03:00 AM 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 linebacker Owen Carney talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Illini turn to Bret Bielema to keep building in Big Ten

By Terry Towery Aug. 16, 2021 04:31 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State quarterback Jack Miller throws on the sideline during an NCAA college spring football game in Columbus, Ohio, in this Saturday, April 17, 2021, file photo. With two-time Big Ten player of the year Justin Fields departing for the NFL, returning backups C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller III and five-star January enrollee Kyle McCord took the snaps in spring practice. Stroud was believed to be the front-runner entering the spring, but coach Ryan Day said a starter might not be determined until the week of the Sept. 2 opener at Minnesota.(AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Ohio State among 5 Big Ten teams auditioning quarterbacks

By Eric Olson Apr. 26, 2021 03:46 PM EDT

FILE - Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Pat Fitzgerald figures he'll add a few more gray hairs by the time No. 15 Northwestern steps on the field to face No. 3 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 19. Then again, if Northwestern wins? “Not gonna lie to you, it would be a helluva ride home on I-65,” Fitzgerald said. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Big Ten Champions Week has game for title and 4 on undercard

By Eric Olson Dec. 17, 2020 01:44 AM EST

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson celebrates after an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 24 Iowa looking for a road win against surging Illinois

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 05:31 PM EST

Illinois running back Chase Brown carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 3 Ohio State goes on the road to face revitalized Illini

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2020 12:52 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey, left, and Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) go after the ball following a bad snap in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Nebraska recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illini win 2nd in row 41-23 over turnover-plagued Huskers

By Eric Olson Nov. 21, 2020 03:54 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illinois at Nebraska 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 11:51 AM EST

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 9 Indiana visits No. 3 Ohio State in key Big Ten matchup

By Eric Olson Nov. 19, 2020 01:54 AM EST

A general view as Illinois takes on Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Illinois at Rutgers 11/14/2020

Nov. 14, 2020 02:45 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) is sacked by Iowa defensive linemen Jack Heflin (96) and Chauncey Golston (57) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue wary of Illini as Boilermakers try to go 2-0

By Terry Towery Oct. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

Wisconsin wide receiver Danny Davis III celebrates his touchdown catch with Jake Ferguson (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mertz, No. 14 Wisconsin rout Illinois 45-7 in Big Ten opener

By Steve Megargee Oct. 23, 2020 11:31 PM EDT