Local News

Illini Get Last Non-Conference Tune Up; ISU, EIU On Bye

 width=>>Illini Get Final Non-Conference Tune Up

Coming off a disappointing 48-14 loss to North Carolina last week, the Illinois Fighting Illini will take on Conference USA opponent Middle-Tennessee State.

Each team comes in at 2-1 on the season with high powered offenses. The Blue Raiders average over 50 points per game.

After two weeks of stellar defensive performances, last year's porous defense reared it's ugly head against the Tar Heels last Saturday as the Illini were gashed for 471 total yards of offense.

An equally big concern for head coach Bill Cubit was the team's dropped passes.

Between Wes Lunt and Chayce Crouch, the two Illini QBs combined to complete 50% of their passes and zero touchdowns thanks to roughly ten dropped passes.

This Saturday's 3pm start against Middle-Tennessee State will be the Illini's final non-conference game, as next Saturday Illinois hosts Nebraska at Memorial Stadium for both squads' Big Ten openers.

 width=>>ISU Redbirds Football Team on Bye

The Illinois State Redbirds football program heads into week 4 of the college football season with a bye.

The Redbirds have opened the season 2-1 after starting the year ranked second in the country in the FCS preseason rankings.

The Redbirds opened the year with a tough road loss to Big Ten opponent Iowa, 31-14 then came back to blow out Morgan State 67-14.

The Redbirds hit the road for their annual clash with Eastern Illinois, this year in Charleston and edged out an overtime, 34-31 win.

The bye for Illinois State couldn't come at a better time as ISU prepares for Missouri Valley Conference rival, and seventh ranked, Northern Iowa. The Redbirds since the start of the season have dropped to fourth in the FCS rankings.

Following a home clash with NIU, ISU hits the road for Youngstown State, under first year head coach and ex-Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini. Then it's off to Missouri State.

 width=>>Eastern Illinois on Bye This Week

Off to a rocky start after an offseason where expectations were optimistic, the Eastern Illinois Panthers head into their bye week with an 0-3 mark.

The Panthers opened the year with a 33-5 loss to Western Illinois then fell to Big Ten oponnent Northwestern.

Last week at O'Brien Field, the Panthers lost to Illinois State in overtime, 34-31 on a last second field goal.

Following the bye week, the Panthers head to Clarksville, Tennessee to open Ohio Valley play against Austin Peay.

Game next week is 4 pm. Hear all the action on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW.

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Local Weather - Sponsored By:

CLINTON WEATHER

Local News

DeWittDN on Facebook