Jason Ford News

WHITEWATER - The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III football playoffs with a 45-7 win over Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday.

Juice Williams added a highlight to an otherwise difficult season Friday when he became the sixth player in Big Ten history to surpass 10,000 total yards for his career.

Minnesota safety Kyle Theret tackles Illinois running back Jason Ford during second-half action on Saturday, November 7, 2009, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mikel Leshore is the leading rusher with 536 yards and three touchdowns on 88 carries.

The fifth-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats host the Illinois Fighting Illini this Friday in the first-ever meeting between the two programs on the gridiron.

After a grueling eight-week stretch that saw them go 2-6, head coach Ron Zook and the Illini are getting a much deserved weekend off.

ILLINOIS: The Illini suffered their seventh loss of the season over the weekend, dropping a 21-16 decision to Northwestern.

Senior running back Courtney "The Matrix" Molton is 175 yards away from passing Chris Moore and becoming the all-time leading rusher at East St.

Just when you thought Illinois football fortunes sank to their lowest, the Illini found a spark to elevate them.

When Illinois runs Just when it looked like Mikel Leshoure had taken over the No.

Last Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, Illinois put on Act II in its late-season offensive resurgence, putting up 35 points in an upset of Minnesota.

Illinois quarterback Jacob Charest looks to throw against Minnesota during the first half in an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov.

Getting to the QB: Illinois ranks last in the Big Ten with 11 sacks. The Illini also haven't protected the quarterback well.

ILLINOIS: The Fighting Illini have their first win streak of the season after holding off Minnesota in Minneapolis over the weekend, 35-32. Young QB Jacob Charest threw for a career-high 185 yards and a TD after replacing Juice Williams, who left in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

It was a little more than a year ago that the Gophers were in Illinois, celebrating becoming a bowl-eligible team.

Illinois at Minnesota When: 11:00 a.m. at TCF Bank Stadium TV: BTN; Radio: WIND 560-AM. Series: Minnesota leads 32-27-3. Coaches: Ron Zook ; Tim Brewster Players to watch: This newly intense rivalry took a wrong turn last year for Illinois despite a Memorial Stadium-record 503 total yards by QB Juice Williams.

What's happened to the University of Illinois offense is more than just a passing fancy.

Two days after Michigan's stunning loss at Illinois, it is time to pick up the pieces.

If you looked closely at the eyeblack strips worn by Terry Hawthorne Saturday against Michigan, you might have been able to read it.

Terry Hawthorne took off after him, finally catching up 76 yards down the field and spilling him across the goal line.