Community Picks: North Carolina 0% vs Illinois 0%

Nittany Lions fans aren't satisfied with back-to-back 7-6 records, so this game could be a referendum on third-year coach James Franklin. Pitt is recognized as a program on the rise, and that chafes Penn State people who long for the days when their team was relevant for the right reasons. The Illini, who allowed nearly 250 yards rushing in each of its last three games in 2015, are No. 1 nationally against the run this week after FCS Murray State netted minus-10 yards. Continue to Article

September 08, 2016 4:33:pm EST

As a high school player in Peoria, big games and big runs were normal for Kendrick Foster. Thirteen times he topped 200 yards at Richwoods High School and 14 times he scored on runs of at least 50 yards. Ten months later, Foster is still at Illinois, and he's the owner of a day like no other Illini running back has ever had. Continue to Article

September 08, 2016 2:52:pm EST

University of Illinois trustees have approved a contract with football coach Lovie Smith that will pay him at least $21 million over six years. The final contract now moves $2 million of that money to earlier years in his contract. University spokeswoman Robin Kaler declined to say what the buyout terms are if he Smith is fired because he and others still need to sign the contract. Continue to Article

September 08, 2016 2:39:pm EST

Wes Lunt threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns and Kendrick Foster ran for a pair of 56-yard touchdowns to give new Illinois coach Lovie Smith his first win, 52-3 over Murray State. The Illini (1-0) opened up a 35-3 halftime lead over the Racers and were never threatened by the Football Championship Subdivision school. Smith said the win, no matter the opponent, meant a lot to a team that has had three head coaches in just over a year. Continue to Article

September 03, 2016 7:48:pm EST

Illinois coach Lovie Smith says he does not know much about Murray State. Racers coach Mike Stewart says he resorted to YouTube to watch how Smith's NFL teams went about their business. Smith is an NFL veteran getting ready to coach his first college game in front of a fan base desperate to finally cheer for a winner while Stewart is entering his second season with Murray State after a 3-8 season a year ago. Continue to Article

September 02, 2016 12:04:pm EST