Virginia Tech 31 Minnesota 22 late in the first half.

Northwestern at Pittsburgh 8 pm

Illinois blows it wide open, knocking off Syracuse

Really nice effort defensively, especially in the second half.

Unbelievable game for Coleman Hawkins with the triple-double.

IMO, Pat Fitzgerald's run of moderate success is over.

The Cats are 14-31 (9-25 Big Ten) over the last 4 seasons.

I don't think we'll see that program get back to where they were in the late 2010's.

Virtually any other coach would be on the hot seat.

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About 45 minutes to tipoff at State Farm Center.

At home to Bryant.

Doug - any word if the media will have more access to practices during the bowl practices? I’m thinking especially the developmental practices where there should be no need for secrecy. Would be cool to get some reports on how some of the younger guys are progressing.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters was named one of five finalists for the prestigious Broyles Award, announced Monday by the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation. The award is presented annually to the nation's top assistant coach.

Illinois ranked in the top 10 in the nation in 17 major defensive categories during the regular season, including leading the nation in interceptions (22), ranking second in scoring defense (12.3), and third in total defense (263.8). Walters' unit is led by Bednarik Award semifinalists CB Devon Witherspoon and DT Jer'Zhan Newton, as Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists, which lists the top 20 defenders in the nation.

The Broyles Award is presented Dec. 6 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Finalists include Walters, Todd Monken (Georgia OC/QBs), Jesse Minter (Michigan DC), Garrett Riley (TCU OC/QBs), and Alex Golesh (Tennessee OC/TEs).

Here's a look at the Illinois defense notes:
• 1st in the nation in interceptions (22)
• 1st in the nation in passing efficiency defense (89.8)
• 1st in the nation in passing touchdowns allowed (8)
• 1st in the nation in yards per pass attempt (5.4)
• 2nd in the nation in touchdowns allowed (14)
• 2nd in the nation in scoring defense (12.3)
• 2nd in the nation in red zone touchdown percentage (37.0%)
• 2nd in the nation in takeaways (29)
• 3rd in the nation in total defense (263.8)
• 3rd in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed (6)
• 3rd in the nation in passes defended (82)
• 5th in the nation in passing defense (165.4)
• 6th in the nation in third down defense (29.0%)
• 7th in the nation in fewest red zone attempts allowed (27)
• 7th in the nation in fewest first downs allowed (177)
• 8th in the nation in rushing defense (98.4)
• 10th in the nation in third down conversions against (49)
• Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists (Newton, Witherspoon).
• Illinois' defense is ranked third in the nation by ESPN's SP+ metric and second in the nation by PFF.
• Illinois' pass coverage is ranked third in the nation by PFF and its run defense is ranked fourth.
• Illinois has allowed only 29 points in fourth quarters (2.4 per game).
• Illinois has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing in six of 12 games this season.
• Illinois allowed 11.9 points per game at home this season, its best mark at Memorial Stadium since the 1983 Big Ten championship team allowed 9.4 per game.
• Illinois has allowed only 14 touchdowns on 150 opponent drives (9.3%).
• Illinois had held six straight opponents to 14 points or fewer before the Michigan State game, the longest streak since 1989.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois running back Chase Brown was named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and cornerback Devon Witherspoon was named a finalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, ESPN announced Tuesday. It is the first time since 1995 that Illinois has had a pair of student-athlete finalists for National College Football Awards Association awards.

Brown and Witherspoon are in the final three for their respective awards that go to college football's best at their positions. Winners will be announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8.

Chase Brown - Doak Walker Award Finalist
The nation's second-leading rusher with 1,643 yards, Brown led the Power-5 in rushing from start to finish during the 2022 regular season. He is third in the nation in all-purpose yards (1,883), second in the nation in rushes of 10+ yards (48), and is tied for the national lead in 100-yard games (10).

Brown rushed for at least 98 yards in 11 of Illinois' 12 games and has scored 13 total touchdowns (10 rushing, three receiving). He did his best work against some of the nation's best rushing defenses, rushing for more yards than any other opponent against Michigan's No. 3-ranked rush defense (140 yards), Wisconsin's No. 12-ranked rush defense (129 yards), and Minnesota's No. 15-ranked rush defense (180 yards).

Brown is Illinois' first ever Doak Walker Award finalist since the award began in 1990. The Doak Walker Award presentation will take place on the SMU campus at the annual banquet scheduled for Feb. 17, 2023.

The other Doak finalists are Blake Corum (Michigan) and Bijan Robinson (Texas)

Devon Witherspoon - Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Finalist
Witherspoon has been the best shutdown corner in the nation, leading the country in reception percentage against (33.8) and forced incompletions (16), according to PFF. He is sixth in the nation in passes defended (17) and did not allow a touchdown all season.

While matching up against opponents' No. 1 wide receivers, Witherspoon has allowed 35 or fewer passing yards in 11 of 12 games. Witherspoon has the No. 2 corner grade in the country and No. 1 in Power-5 by PFF, and also ranks fourth in the nation in NFL passer rating against (24.3).

Witherspoon is Illinois' first ever Paycom Jim Thorpe Award finalist. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 in Oklahoma City.

The other Thorpe finalists are Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (TCU) and Clark Phillips III (Utah).

Illinois Finalists - National College Football Awards Association
2022 Thorpe - Devon Witherspoon, CB
2022 Doak - Chase Brown, RB
2013 Wuerrfel - Nathan Scheelhaase, QB
2011 Nagurski - Whitney Mercilus, DE
2007 Wuerrfel - J Leman, LB
2007 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year - Ron Zook, HC
2001 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year - Ron Turner, HC
1995 Butkus - Kevin Hardy, LB (winner)
1995 Nagurski - Kevin Brown, LB
1995 Bednarik - Simeon Rice, LB
1995 Bednarik - Kevin Hardy, LB
1994 Butkus - Dana Howard, LB (winner)
1994 FWAA Defensive Player of the Year - Dana Howard, LB
1990 Butkus - Darrick Brownlow, LB
1989 Outland - Moe Gardner, DT
1989 O'Brien - Jeff George, QB
1985 O'Brien - Jack Trudeau, QB
1984 O'Brien - Jack Trudeau, QB
1982 O'Brien - Tony Eason, QB
1965 Heisman - Jim Grabowski, RB
1964 Heisman - Dick Butkus, LB
their respective awards that go to college football's best at their positions. Winners will be announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8.

Chase Brown - Doak Walker Award Finalist
The nation's second-leading rusher with 1,643 yards, Brown led the Power-5 in rushing from start to finish during the 2022 regular season. He is third in the nation in all-purpose yards (1,883), second in the nation in rushes of 10+ yards (48), and is tied for the national lead in 100-yard games (10).

Brown rushed for at least 98 yards in 11 of Illinois' 12 games and has scored 13 total touchdowns (10 rushing, three receiving). He did his best work against some of the nation's best rushing defenses, rushing for more yards than any other opponent against Michigan's No. 3-ranked rush defense (140 yards), Wisconsin's No. 12-ranked rush defense (129 yards), and Minnesota's No. 15-ranked rush defense (180 yards).

Brown is Illinois' first ever Doak Walker Award finalist since the award began in 1990. The Doak Walker Award presentation will take place on the SMU campus at the annual banquet scheduled for Feb. 17, 2023.

The other Doak finalists are Blake Corum (Michigan) and Bijan Robinson (Texas).

Devon Witherspoon - Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Finalist
Witherspoon has been the best shutdown corner in the nation, leading the country in reception percentage against (33.8) and forced incompletions (16), according to PFF. He is sixth in the nation in passes defended (17) and did not allow a touchdown all season.

While matching up against opponents' No. 1 wide receivers, Witherspoon has allowed 35 or fewer passing yards in 11 of 12 games. Witherspoon has the No. 2 corner grade in the country and No. 1 in Power-5 by PFF, and also ranks fourth in the nation in NFL passer rating against (24.3).

Witherspoon is Illinois' first ever Paycom Jim Thorpe Award finalist. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 in Oklahoma City.

The other Thorpe finalists are Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (TCU) and Clark Phillips III (Utah).

Illinois Finalists - National College Football Awards Association
2022 Thorpe - Devon Witherspoon, CB
2022 Doak - Chase Brown, RB
2013 Wuerrfel - Nathan Scheelhaase, QB
2011 Nagurski - Whitney Mercilus, DE
2007 Wuerrfel - J Leman, LB
2007 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year - Ron Zook, HC
2001 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year - Ron Turner, HC
1995 Butkus - Kevin Hardy, LB (winner)
1995 Nagurski - Kevin Brown, LB
1995 Bednarik - Simeon Rice, LB
1995 Bednarik - Kevin Hardy, LB
1994 Butkus - Dana Howard, LB (winner)
1994 FWAA Defensive Player of the Year - Dana Howard, LB
1990 Butkus - Darrick Brownlow, LB
1989 Outland - Moe Gardner, DT
1989 O'Brien - Jeff George, QB
1985 O'Brien - Jack Trudeau, QB
1984 O'Brien - Jack Trudeau, QB
1982 O'Brien - Tony Eason, QB
1965 Heisman - Jim Grabowski, RB
1964 Heisman - Dick Butkus, LB

Just curious what people think. Season had some great highs and gut-punch losses. It's not an objective thing, but what win did you enjoy the most, and what loss was the toughest?

For me the best win was Wisconsin I think. That's when I started to believe this team might be a lot better than I thought preseason, and we went to the home of an opponent who has pretty much owned us for most of 2 decades and dominated them.

Toughest loss for me I think was Purdue. Even at the time that one appeared to be the B1G West title game and they just outplayed us that afternoon.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, and Wednesday, Nov. 30, the 2022 All-Big Ten Conference teams and individual football award winners will be announced live on the Big Ten Network.

Tomorrow at noon ET, the All-Big Ten defensive and special teams selections, as well as individual defensive award winners, will be unveiled on B1G Today. On Wednesday’s B1G Today at noon ET, the All-Big Ten offensive selections will be announced, in addition to the individual offensive award winners.

The announcements can be streamed on your tablet or mobile device via the Fox Sports App and will also be covered via the Big Ten Network’s Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram platforms. The selections will also be available in a press release from the Big Ten Conference.


Tuesday, Nov. 29 from Noon to 1 p.m. ET:

All-Big Ten Defensive and Special Teams Selections

Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year
Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year
Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year
Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year
Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year
Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year
Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year
Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year and Dave McClain Coach of the Year


Wednesday, Nov. 30, from Noon to 1 p.m. ET:

All-Big Ten Offensive Selections

Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year
Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year
Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year
Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year
Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year
Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year
Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Illinois’ Ron Guenther is this year’s recipient of the Big Ten’s Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award, while Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld is the Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award honoree, the conference announced Monday. These awards recognize Big Ten football students who have achieved success in the areas of leadership and humanitarianism following their academic and athletic careers at a Big Ten university.

Guenther played football for the Illini from 1964-66 as an offensive lineman, earning team MVP, second-team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1966. Following his playing career, Guenther served as the offensive line coach at Boston College from 1971-74 and head football coach at North Central College from 1975-78, where he compiled a record of 22-12-2.

Guenther was interim Athletics Director at Illinois in 1988, then named permanent Athletic Director from 1992 to 2011, when he retired from the University. He continued to work with the Big Ten Conference as a consultant after his career. Major projects under his watch included the Memorial Stadium renaissance, Eichelberger Field for softball, the Bielfeldt Athletics Administration Building, the Demirjian Golf Facility, the Kahn Outdoor Tennis Complex, the Atkins Tennis Center, the UI Outdoor Track and Field Stadium, the Irwin Indoor Football Practice Facility, the Irwin Academic Center and the Ubben Basketball Practice Facility.

During his tenure, Illinois captured 34 Big Ten Championships, reached a men’s basketball Final Four and made six football bowl appearances, including the Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl. Guenther was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and the University of Illinois Hall of Fame in 2022.

As a four-year letterman at Indiana, Sudfeld was 593-of-983 (60.3 percent) with 7,879 passing yards, 8,011 total yards, 61 passing touchdowns, 20 interceptions, eight rushing scores and a 144.1 passing efficiency mark, which ranks ninth in Big Ten history. As one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Indiana history, Sudfeld still holds the Hoosier records for passing touchdowns (61), passing yardage (7,879), 350-yard games (6), 300-yard games (11), 250-yard games (13), 200-yard games (19), four-touchdown games (5) and three-touchdown games (10), while sharing the top spot for 400-yard games (1) in his 37 games (26 starts).

Sudfeld was originally drafted by the Washington Commanders in the sixth round as the 187th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and has since spent seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (2017-20), the San Francisco 49ers (2021). On August 31, 2022, Sudfeld was signed by the Detroit Lions.

Sudfeld spends his time off the field working with several charities, including AIDS Orphans Education Trust Health Centre (AOET), New Dawn Africa Foundation, Assist International and the Sewing Hope Foundation.

Located in Jinja, Uganda, AIDS Orphans Education Trust Health Centre (AOET) provides education, health, and child welfare programs that impact over 4,000 children every day. Alongside Assist International, Sudfeld has partnered with The AOET Children's Village to support Ugandan orphans and their foster families. Alongside his brothers, Zach Sudfeld and Matt Sudfeld, Nate has also facilitated sports camps for orphan children, hosting programs for football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. In 2018 and 2019, Nate was the sponsor for a sports camp for hundreds of children at AOET and for children from other schools in the Jinja area.

Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many foster families from meeting their daily food needs. Sudfeld generously provided immediate assistance by distributing a supply of emergency food and hygiene items to the families and children across AOET's programs.

New Dawn Africa Foundation in Entebbe, Uganda, addresses the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in their region, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS and families with children who have HIV. Since 2019, Sudfeld has supported New Dawn as it implements a wide range of programs. These include a nutrition plan for mothers and infants, a counseling program for people living with HIV/AIDS, and educational and farming initiatives. To help offset the impact of the pandemic, Sudfeld generously contributed towards catalyzing New Dawn's farming initiatives and empowering team members to deliver critical HIV medication to families unable to access their medication in lockdown, as well as supply emergency food for families in the community.

In 2021, Assist International joined Navajo Nation leadership, Chapter officials, and a team of partner organizations to catalyze health initiatives that improve access to nutritious food and water for Navajo families. Sudfeld has championed these efforts by supporting Assist International's Alliance for Navajo Sustainability program, working to improve agriculture, WASH (water, sanitation & hygiene), and sustainable business enterprises for Navajo communities.

The Sewing Hope Children's Village in Atiak, Uganda, provides homes for orphan children and young women who were abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) or facing hardship and poverty. Sudfeld has supported Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe's vision to provide housing, education, and care for orphaned children, young women, and refugees in Northern Uganda. Over the past two years, Nate sponsored Sewing Hope's emergency food distribution and farming initiatives to combat severe effects of hunger and malnutrition facing their region, due to the effects of locust plagues and recent lockdowns. Sudfeld went on his first trip to help Sister Rosemary and her work in Atiak in 2015 while on Spring Break at IU during the building of the first orphan home; he came back to volunteer at the Sewing Hope Children’s Home in Atiak in 2018 and 2019 and has been supporting the efforts to combat food scarcity in 2020 and 2021.

The Ford-Kinnick Leadership and Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Awards are part of the Big Ten’s annual awards program. The Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award is named for Michigan’s Gerald Ford and Iowa’s Nile Kinnick. The Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award is named for Minnesota’s Tony Dungy and Indiana’s Anthony Thompson. For more information on these awards, including biographical information on the namesakes, visit bigten.org.

Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award Recipients
2011: Archie Griffin, OSU
2012: Jon Runyan, MICH
2013: Gene Washington, MSU
2014: Mike Hopkins, ILL
2015: Brian Griese, MICH
2016: Reggie McKenzie, MICH
2017: Troy Vincent, WIS
2018: Antwaan Randle El, IND
2019: Doug Schlereth, IND
2020: Napoleon Harris, NU
2021: Pat Richter, WIS
2022: Ron Guenther, ILL

Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award Recipients
2011: George Taliaferro, IND
2012: Chris Spielman, OSU
2013: Drew Brees, PUR
2014: Brian Griese, MICH
2015: John Shinsky, MSU
2016: Trent Green, IND
2017: Chad Greenway, IOWA
2018: Jake Wood, WIS
2019: J.J. Watt, WIS
2020: Vincent Smith, MICH
2021: Malcolm Jenkins, OSU
2022: Nate Sudfeld, IND

Lovie 1-9 now , needs to give it up !

Illinois took care of business and will now wait for their bowl game assignment.