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Reeling Illinois bracing for conference foe Maryland
Maryland opens Big Ten play at Illinois on Friday nightSEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
25ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 8-3 · 5TH IN BIG TEN
8-3 · 5TH IN BIG TEN
Next Game at Northwestern · Sat 5:00PM
ILL -7.5 TOTAL 44
Maryland prepares for program's first road game at Illinois
This week Maryland plays at Illinois for the first time in program history — which says a lot about how new the Terrapins still are to the Big TenSEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Illinois vs. Virginia Condensed Game ' 2021 ACC Football
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • YOUTUBE
Armstrong throws for 5 TDs as Virginia eases by Illinois
Brennan Armstrong threw for five touchdowns and became the third quarterback in program history to pass for over 400 yards as Virginia beat Illinois 42-14SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Illinois vs. Virginia Football Highlights (2021)
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • YOUTUBE
Brandon Peters - Officially active Peters (shoulder) has been cleared for contact and will be active for Saturday's game against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Peters has been out since suffering a shoulder injury in the season opener against Nebraska but will be available to back up Art Sitkowski if needed. The senior quarterback was tabbed as the Week 1 starter and could certainly make an appearance if Sitkowski struggles again.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jafar Armstrong - Taking part in warmups Armstrong (undisclosed) is on the field for warmups ahead of Saturday's game against Virginia, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.
Impact Armstrong looks to be in line for his season debut after missing the opener with an undisclosed injury. He could be in line to contribute in some fashion Saturday, though the size of his role is unclear at this point.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Marquez Beason - Unavailable Saturday Beason will not be available for Saturday's game against Virginia, Joey Wagner of 247 Sports reports.
Impact Beason was dressed for last Saturday's game against UTSA but did not see the field. Head coach Bret Bielema had previously said Beason could be back for this week's game but it appears he'll be held out once again. His next chance to return will be Sept. 17 against Maryland.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Peters - Warming up ahead of game Peters (shoulder) was seen taking snaps in pregame warmups ahead of Saturday's meeting against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Peters was ruled as a game-time decision for Saturday after suffering a shoulder injury early in the season-opener against Nebraska. Art Sitkowski has already been named the starter but he struggled last week. Peters could certainly relieve him if he struggles again should he be available.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
The 5 best bets you can make this weekend in the NFL and college football
Sammy P highlights the five wagers he’s making right now ahead of this weekend's college football and NFL slates.SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
Virginia, Illinois hoping early kickoff not a problem
Coach Bronco Mendenhall hopes an early start time for Virginia's game against Illinois this weekend won't affect his Cavaliers much because they practice early, tooSEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chase Hayden - Good to go Hayden (foot) will be available out of the backfield for Illinois on Saturday, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Hayden was spotted in a walking boot prior to Saturday's game versus UTSA and sat out the contest. Fortunately, it appears the issue was relatively minor, so the junior should be part of the backfield mix his week for Illinois. He could also be in line for a few added carries with Mike Epstein (undisclosed) set to miss the contest.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Artur Sitkowski - Lined up as likely Week 2 starter Sitkowski will start Week 2 against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Coach Bret Bielema doesn't sound particularly tied to Sitkowski as the starter once Brandon Peters (shoulder) is cleared to play, but it appears Sitkowski will still take the starting nod for Saturday's clash. Barring word to the contrary leading up to kickoff, look for Sitkowski to lead the Illini offense again versus the Cavaliers as he aims to improve on his 52.4 completion percentage last week versus UTSA.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brian Hightower - Will be available Saturday Hightower (undisclosed) will be available Saturday against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Hightower has been out of practice the last couple weeks due to a soft tissue injury. He is finally healthy enough to return and contribute to the Illini passing attack against Virginia.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Peters - Labeled GTD Peters (shoulder) is considered a game-time decision for Saturday's contest against Virginia but Artur Sitkowski is the team's starter for the contest as it currently stands, Jerem...
Impact Given Sitkowski's struggles last week, Peters could be in line to take over the starting duties once he's healthy, but it doesn't sound like he will be 100 percent for Saturday's contest even if he is cleared. It's possible there will be a change to Peters under center, but it sounds like Sitkowski is being prepared as the starter at the moment and that should be assumed unless there is word to the contrary.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jafar Armstrong - Set to travel with team Armstrong (calf) will travel for Saturday's game against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Armstrong has been out of practice for the last three weeks due to a calf strain. It sounds like things are coming around for Armstrong to be able to help the Illini offense in a road matchup, though it's unclear yet if he will actually take part in Saturday's festivities.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Chase Brown - Available for Week 2 Brown (undisclosed) will be back in the fold for Saturday's game against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Brown sat out Week 1 for an undisclosed reason but appears to be in uniform and ready to contribute for the Illini on Saturday. He could be headed for a significant role as well considering Mike Epstein (undisclosed0 will miss the contest. Chase Hayden is the other primary back who should contribute to the effort against the Cavaliers.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mike Epstein - Sitting out Saturday Epstein won't play in Saturday's game against Virginia, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact Coach Bret Bielema was unwilling to expand on the reason behind Epstein's absence, but the junior back will sit out the contest after tallying 32 yards on nine carries last week. Look for Chase Brown and Chase Hayden to lead the way in the Illini backfield Saturday.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Daniel Barker - Tallies pair of scores Barker reeled in five of his seven targets for 74 yards and a touchdown Saturday versus UTSA.
Impact Barker was a primary target near the goal line for Illinois, nothing his pair of scores from 14 and 15 yards out. The junior tight end made some noise in this one after being silent in the opener in favor of Luke Ford, who was the tight end to post a goose egg Saturday.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Isaiah Williams - Target hog in Week 1 Williams reeled in eight of his whopping 18 targets for 101 yards in the Week 1 contests versus UTSA.
Impact Williams appears to have a clear connection with Artuer Sitkowski under center, as the Sitkowski looked his way time and time again during Saturday's contest. Considering the Illini figure to be trailing many times in 2021, Williams has the talent and should have the opportunity to warrant some consideration in a number of fantasy formats.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Artur Sitkowski - Decent effort in Week 1 Sitkowski completed 22 of his 42 pass attempts for 266 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 versus UTSA.
Impact Sitkowski got another start Saturday with Brandon Peters (shoulder) not available and didn't quite have the shine he displayed in the opener against Nebraska. While he finished the day with three passing touchdowns, the sophomore completed only 52.4 percent of his pass attempts. Still, he's likely in line to maintain the starting job at least until Peters is cleared to return to action.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Chase Brown - Cleared to play Brown (undisclosed) is expected to return to practice Tuesday and should be cleared to play Saturday against Virginia, Scott Richey of The Champaign News-Gazette reports.
Impact Brown reaggravated an injury in the team's season opener against Nebraska and was forced to sit out of the next game against UTSA. Even if Brown returns to practice and he can stay healthy, it's still possible he's limited against Virginia.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Peters - Still not cleared for contact Peters (shoulder) will start doing regular practice drills but he hasn't been cleared for contact yet, Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com reports.
Impact After suffering a shoulder injury in his team's season opener against Nebraska, Peters missed Saturday's game against UTSA and is considered doubtful for Illinois' matchup with Virginia. If Peters is unable to play, Artur Sitkowski could receive the start again.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
UTSA gets first win over a Big Ten foe, tops Illinois 37-30
UTSA posted its most impressive road win in its 10-year college football history, beating Illinois 37-30 for a win in the Roadrunners' first gave against a Big Ten Conference oppon...SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
