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The Champaign Room

In the fall of 2023, I joined thechampaignroom.com, an SBNation affiliate in Champaign, Illinois as a beat reporter. I began as a women's basketball writer during my sophomore year of college. I faced several learning curves throughout my early time as a beat writer, those challenges put me on a fast track to adapt and quickly improve. After a season as a women's basketball beat writer I was rewarded. In 2024 I began to cover Illinois Football. And in the 2025-2026 academic year I cover Illinois Football and Illinois Men's Basketball.

Illinois Football

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‘Different but similar’: How two distinct coaches’ destinies collided at Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It was just three years ago when now-Illinois co-outside linebackers coach Trent Harris was jumping from roster to roster in the NFL as a ‘bubble’ guy. He would come into the facility every day with an uncertain future awaiting — cut at a moment's notice.
His next stop was always an unknown.
Harris had a four-year NFL career before spending a pair of seasons in the UFL and the XFL, until he decided to pivot to coaching.
“I lost the fun in the football playing-wise, so I knew i...
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‘There was no panic’: Inside the final minute of Illinois’ last-second win over Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NJ — Illinois had failed to stop Rutgers’ offense in critical moments all game, including what would have been the late game-winning drive as the Scarlet Knights took a 31-30 lead with 1:08 left, leaving Rutgers in prime position to seal the deal.
But clinching the win was contingent on one final stop.
Quickly, the Illini traveled 35 yards while only taking 54 seconds off the clock, ending at the Rutgers 40-yard line.
With a 4th-and-13 and 14 seconds left on the clock, Illinois quar...
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Illinois falls short of fourth-quarter comeback, fails to stop red-hot Minnesota

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It was a chilly November morning kickoff as Illinois came into the game ‘with the best week of preparation for the season.’ But the Illini struggled to muster offensive consistency and failed to stop Minnesota on key possessions, as they fell to the Golden Gophers, 25-17.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema had been undefeated against Minnesota in his career, winning all 10 meetings — the last three as Illinois’ head man. That streak ended on Saturday, as the Illini struggled all...
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‘I battled some demons’: Michigan victory more than just a win for Bielema

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Following Illinois’ 21-7 victory over Michigan, an emotional Bret Bielema took to the podium for his postgame press conference.
For many programs, beating Michigan at football is a special feat, but for Bielema, it means much more than football.
“Last time we played these guys, I lost my mom,” Bielema said. “I told our team on Sunday I battled some demons, more than you can ever imagine.”
That was in 2022. When Bielema was an Iowa defensive Lineman in 1990, his sister passed a...
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‘We bounced back’: Despite early struggles, Illinois powers through CMU

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After an uninspiring first half of offensive football, Illinois comfortably powered past Central Michigan, 30-9 for Homecoming on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
However, this was one of those games where the final score was not indicative of the product on the field.
“We knew we had our work cut out for us,” said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema after the win to extend Illinois’ start to 3-0. “Unfortunately, I think we made it a little more difficult than needed to be.”
CMU ca...
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Altmyer’s late heroics cue Illinois’ upset of No. 19 Kansas

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a game that looked to be defense-dominated up until its final moments, some heroics from Illinois’ offensive leaders got the job done in a 23-17 upset over No. 19 Kansas on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
Illinois’ first ranked win since the nine-overtime victory over Penn State, and first victory over a ranked opponent in Champaign since homecoming in 2019, a 24-23 win over No. 11 Wisconsin.
The win is also the program’s first over a non-conference-ranked opponent sin...
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‘I’m playing the game I love’: How Keith Randolph Jr. is adjusting to the NFL

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Former Illinois defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. is in the midst of his transition from college football to the NFL.
The former Illini captain now finds himself spending some of his days running errands getting food and carrying pads for NFL veterans, a stark contrast to his days at Illinois.
It’s a new league, a new organization, new teammates and a new coaching staff for Randolph.
But his goal remains the same: Make plays and help the team win.
“It’s been a fantastic...