The Illinois Fighting Illini enters week seven of the college football season with a bye week, and for the Illini, it couldn't come at a better time.
The Illini come off a losing effort against Iowa last Saturday, a 29-20 decision where the Illini had a chance with the football with 3:20 to play in the game and trailing 26-20, but on the first play of the drive, freshman runningback Ke'Shawn Vaughn fumbled and the Hawkeyes recovered, all but sealing the win.
The Illini come into the bye with a number of injuries they're dealing with.
Most notably, senior runningback Josh Ferguson is dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered in the Nebraska game and did not dress for the Iowa game.
Vaughn was injured in the third quarter against Iowa but returned after passing concussion protocol tests.
Of course the Illini continue to be without receivers Justin Hardee and Mike Dudek.
After the bye, the Illini are home for Homecoming hosting Wisconsin.
Wisconsin hosts Purdue this week. The Badgers are 4-2.
>>ISU Looks To Continue Winning Ways Against Missouri State
Coming off huge wins against Northern Iowa (21-13) and Youngstown State (31-29), the Illinois State Redbirds football team looks to continue their winning ways this weekend against Missouri State.
The Redbirds have improved to 4-1 on the season and are off to a 2-0 start in the Missouri Valley Football conference. The first two Redbird wins have come against top-10 FCS football programs.
The Bears, at 1-4 overall and 0-2 in MVC play, have dropped their last four games.
Saturday's game kicks off at 2 pm.
>>Eastern Hits Road For Ohio Valley Football Clash
After a slow start to the 2015 football season, the Eastern Illinois football program has picked it up in recent weeks, winning their first two Ohio Valley football conference games against Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri.
Now the Panthers hit the road for their second road test in three weeks as they take on Nashville, TN based Tennessee State.
The Panthers at 2-3 overall and 2-0 in OVC play look to spoil the Tigers Homecoming as the Tigers have dropped two of their last three and are 0-2 in OVC play.
Saturday's game kicks off at 6 pm and can be heard on the Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW.
