News

Illinois Football climbs to No. 9 in AP Poll after dominant win at Duke

4 days ago in News, Sports, ZZZ App Top Srories

Since taking over in 2021, Bielema has guided the Illini to 20 AP poll appearances, the most for the program in any five-year span in 35 years. Photo: Contributed

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois football team continues its impressive rise in the national rankings, moving up to No. 9 in both the AP Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Associated Press announced Sunday. The Illini jumped two spots in the AP poll and three in the Coaches Poll following a commanding 45-19 road victory over Duke.

This marks Illinois’ highest AP ranking since December 2001, and is the latest milestone in head coach Bret Bielema’s resurgence of the program. Since taking over in 2021, Bielema has guided the Illini to 20 AP poll appearances, the most for the program in any five-year span in 35 years.

Next up, the Illini will look to continue their unbeaten run as they host Western Michigan on Saturday in a primetime matchup at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT and will air live on FS1. The game is expected to be played in front of a sold-out crowd.

Recent Headlines

22 hours ago in Sports

Paul Skenes tops 200 strikeouts as Pirates manage his workload

After surpassing 200 strikeouts for the first time in his career, Pirates ace Paul Skenes admitted it was good to get a breather. The NL Cy Young front-runner reached 203, fanning eight Orioles batters in Pittsburgh's 2-1, 10-inning loss to Baltimore on Wednesday night.

23 hours ago in National, Trending

US marks 24th anniversary of 9/11 terror attacks

Americans are marking 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with solemn ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honoring the victims.

2 days ago in National, Trending

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk dies after being shot at Utah college event

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, died Wednesday after being shot at a college event, Trump said. The co-founder and CEO of the youth organization Turning Point USA, the 31-year-old Kirk is the latest victim in a spasm of political violence across the United States.

2 days ago in Sports

NBA will not rush judgment in Kawhi Leonard investigation, Commissioner Adam Silver says

The NBA will not rush to any judgment in its probe of whether a business relationship between Kawhi Leonard and a California company was legitimate or merely a way for the Los Angeles Clippers to circumvent salary cap rules, Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday.