The November 20th football game between Illinois and Northwestern next year will most likely be played in Chicago at Wrigley Field.

“It would be great national exposure and a neat thing for both sides,” said Zook, who visited Chicago on Tuesday. “Wrigley Field transcends the whole country.”

Northwestern officials, buoyed by the success of the NHL’s Winter Classic, have been trying for more than a year to make a Wrigley Field game a reality.

On Jan. 17, NU athletic director Jim Phillips said: “Within the next month or so, we’ll decide if it’s something that can work. There are a lot of moving parts.”

Bottom line, officials involved are confident the game will become a reality. But at least two hurdles remain: revenue sharing (between the Big Ten and the Cubs) and the fact if Northwestern moves a 2010 game to Wrigley, it will have just five at Ryan Field.

Phillips will meet Wednesday with Cubs President Crane Kenney in an effort to get the game closer to fruition. For a 2010 game, Northwestern probably needs to nail down details by the end of March.

Check out the graphic with the potential field orientation, and the full article from the Chicago Tribune.

Coach Zook is beginning to build his coaching team for next year.

University of Illinois head football coach Ron Zook announced the hiring of former UNLV running backs coach DeAndre Smith as the newest member of the Illini coaching staff. Smith, a St. Louis native, has tutored six 1,000-yard rushers in his 11 years of collegiate coaching.

Illini hire new running backs coach

Hopefully this will help the team play well next year!

Junior receiver Arrelious Benn has announced that he will be leaving Illinois to enter the NFL draft.

“With the support of Coach (Ron) Zook and my mom, I am ready to pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL,” Benn said. “I also plan to finish college and earn my degree from the University of Illinois.

“I know the hard work is just beginning, and I as I begin this new adventure, I will always be proud to represent the Fighting Illini.”

Benn was troubled with injuries and difficulties this year, but still led the team with 38 catches.

We wish him the best of luck!

Illinois’ Benn to enter NFL draft – ESPN

The Fighting Illini football team will play their last game of the season this Saturday at Memorial Stadium against Fresno State. This year has had it’s ups and downs; mostly downs with the Illini ’s current record of 3-8. It hasn’t looked good for the Illini all season. From that first kickoff in St. Louis, it seemed like they never really had it under control. They were expected to be a great team, and Big Ten contender with Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn in their prime. What happened? Nobody really knows. It has been a disappointing season to say the least, and this Saturday it is all going to come to an end.

That said, I want to encourage all of you to attend this Saturday’s finale: all of you students, all of you alumni, and all of you Fighting Illini fans. You say we aren’t going to a bowl anyway, so why does this game matter? You say that you have to stay home and study for finals. You say that it’s going to be freezing cold and you’d rather stay in your nice warm bed. You’ll find any excuse not to come and watch your team lose again. But I say no. There is no excuse. This is senior day. The team deserves our attendance.The least you can do is give up three hours of your life to come out and support your team. They may be bad, but they are still our team.

Do It For The Seniors

Fifteen Illini seniors will be honored at the game. This will be the last game they ever play in an Illinois uniform. Over the past four years, we’ve been through a lot with these guys, and through it all, they’ve stayed strong and given it all they’ve had. Let’s support them one last time on Saturday. Here’s to you seniors!

Jon Asamoah, OL
Eric Block, OL
Michael Cklamovski, PK
Jeff Cumberland, WR
Daniel Dufrene, RB
Chris Duvalt, WR
Donsay Hardeman, DB
Dere Hicks, DB
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE
Antonio James, DL
Doug Pilcher, DL
Rahkeem Smith, DL
Juice Williams, QB
Sirod Williams, DL
Kyle Yelton, P

Do It For Juice

One senior in particular, has taken a lot of heat over the past couple of years. Mr. Juice Williams is one of those players that you either love or hate. He has his good days, and his bad days. There is a lot that one can say about our senior quarterback, but let’s just let the numbers speak for themselves. Even if you hate Juice, or think that he shouldn’t be starting on Saturday, you can’t ignore that he:

• Already holds the Illinois total offense records for a career (10,327) and season (3,892)
• Ranks fifth in total offense in Big Ten history
• Already holds the Illinois QB rushing records for a career (2,501), season (755) and game (174)
• Ranks third in school history in passing yardage (7,826)
• Is the Illinois career leader in starts by a quarterback with 43
• Needs 45 rushing yards to move up to sixth on the Illinois career rushing list
• Needs three touchdown passes to move to second on the UI list for career scoring strikes

So one last time, let’s give Juice the applause that he deserves. He, along with the rest of the team, have come in day after day and given it their all. Despite the weather forecast, let’s give them all we’ve got on Saturday. I’m expecting a sea of orange, and the loudest stands of the season. They deserve it.

Let’s do it for the orange and blue!

Illinois vs. Fresno St. // Dec. 5 // 11:30am

• Live Audio | GameTracker | TV: BTN | Radio
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Go Illini!

This week’s Illini Football game will be Friday (not Saturday!) at 11:00 am. You can catch it on ABC. So sit back, grab some leftover turkey, and take a break from Black Friday shopping or decorating the house with some good ‘ole fashioned Thanksgiving football.

And don’t forget to vote for Ron Zook as Coach of the Year.

The Illini and Northwestern will be battling today for the ownership of the first Land of Lincoln Trophy. The two schools have been fighting for a rivalry trophy since 1945 with the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy. Last year was the final year for that award, and with Northwestern’s victory, they have claimed permenant ownership of the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk Trophy (even though the Illini have a better series record).

The new trophy idea was the result of an online vote by Northwestern and Illinois fans this past spring. “Land of Lincoln” edged three other finalists: President’s Trophy (named after the state’s four presidents), Popcorn Bowl (named after the Illinois state snack) and the Graham-Grange Fire Bell (named after two of the greatest players at each school).

Once the name was determined, an artist was chosen to design a stove-top hat, a signature apparel item of President Abraham Lincoln. The man who designed the trophy was Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Dick Locher, an editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune as well as the artist who helped bring the Dick Tracy cartoon strip to life.

The trpohy resembles the hat worn by Lincoln while delivering the Gettysburg Address. It, along with a walnut base, weighs 28.5 pounds. The trophy will reside in the press box for the first half of Saturday’s game and then on the field for the second half.

When asked about the trophy, Coach Zook said “You want it every year, but you’re right. This is the first time that I have not seen it. I’ve seen pictures, but I have not seen it. I’ve seen pictures and heard talk about it. It’s shaped like Abraham Lincoln’s hat. No question, we’d like to bring it home.”

Illinois vs. Northwestern // Nov. 14 // 11am

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Let’s bring it home. Go Illini!

Northwestern, Illinois Set to Play for First Land of Lincoln Trophy – FightingIllini.com

It’s finally Friday, and the beginning of Dad’s Weekend 2009!

Check out the calendar of events to see what’s going on this weekend for you and your father to enjoy. Here are a few of the big events:

Friday

Dads Association Annual Reception & Banquet
Nov. 13, 2009 | 5 p.m. Reception and Banquet at 5:30 p.m.
Reservations required. Keynote Speaker: Tony Clements, comedian and retired director of Campus Recreation
Illini Union South Lounge and Illini Rooms A, B & C

UIUC Habitat for Humanity – Benefit Comedy Show
Nov. 13, 2009 | 8 p.m.
Featuring Potted Meat and Spicy Clamato
Natural History Building, Room 228
Tickets $3 in advance (at Illini Union) or $5 at the door.
All proceeds will go to help support Habitat for Humanity.

Illini Hockey
Nov. 13, 2009 | 7:30 p.m.
Ice Arena, General admission $6 for students, $8 non-student/adult

Men’s Basketball vs SIU-Edwardsville
Nov. 13, 2009 | 7 p.m.
Assembly Hall
Check the Fighting Illini Sports Schedule for prices

Saturday

Men’s Football vs. Northwestern
Nov. 14, 2009 | TBA
Memorial Stadium

The Illini Union Board presents Fall Musical “Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Cinderella ”
Nov. 14, 2008 | 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Ticket Information available through the Illini Union Board
Foellinger Auditorium

Welcome Dad’s!

Join Illini Nation on Saturday in painting Memorial Stadium orange in this season’s ORANGE-OUT game. Wear orange, and enjoy 60,000 orange shakers that will be distributed.

Now, more than ever, the team needs our support. Let’s go Illini!

The Illini traveled to Columbus, Ohio last Saturday to play Ohio State.  The Illini put up 170 offensive yards and scored 0 points. OSU put up 318 offensive yards and scored 30 points. The Ohio State game was another disappointing showing by the Illini.

News-Gazette reporter Loren Tate said it best in a recent article:

What were they thinking?

When the game settled down in the early rain-soaked stages, Ohio State attacked Illinois at its strength, the defensive line, and took control.

So give the Buckeyes credit. They dominated in the trenches and deserved to win.

That said, the Illini seemed disengaged. They contributed to their own downfall. Maybe “dumb” is too strong a word. Let’s just say the Illini didn’t use their heads … repeatedly … when the game was still in the formative stage. Count the ways:

– When a flubbed Ohio State punt put Illinois in early position at midfield, the Illini punched out two first downs and reached the 24 where a penalty was assessed for 12 men in the huddle. What were they thinking?. After being set back, Williams threw directly to linebacker Brian Rolle who returned 39 yards.

– After Aaron Pettrey boomed a 50-yard field goal, Illini A.J. Jenkins caught the kickoff in the end zone, started to run, stopped and then made a fateful step over the line. He was swarmed at the 10. What was he thinking?

– Unable to capitalize as Williams’ passes went awry (he was 6 of 15 for 30 yards at the half), the Illini nevertheless had the Buckeyes back on their 20 early in the second quarter. Pryor was trapped near the sideline when Clay Nurse unnecessarily grabbed his facemask. Fifteen yards! Then Pryor ran to the other sideline and Illini Supo Sanni hit him much too late. Another 15 yards! What were they thinking? Ohio State, without so much as a completed pass in the half, marched in for a 13-0 lead.

– The next time Ohio State punted, Jarred Fayson stood under the high boot around the 20, and stepped away from an obvious fair catch, allowing the ball to bounce to the 6-yard line. Again, what was he thinking?

– The Buckeyes made an uncharacteristic turnover just before halftime, a fumbled punt giving the Illini the ball at the Ohio State 45. Three penalties and a Fayson drop found Illinois punting from the 50. Three penalties!

What were they thinking?

The Illini battle Penn State this Saturday at 2:30pm at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois vs. Penn State // Oct. 3 // 2:30 PM
Live Audio | GameTracker | TV: ABC |

Tags: Football, Juice Williams, loren tate, ncaa, ohio state, Ron Zook, ui sports