2021 season opener moved from Ireland to Champaign
Illinois and Nebraska won’t be playing overseas.
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Illinois and Nebraska won’t be opening the 2021 in Ireland as scheduled.
According to a news release Wednesday, the Aug. 28 game will now be played in Champaign due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is very disappointing for our athletic program, our team and for the fans who were planning to attend the game in Dublin,” said Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman in statement. “For our players, staff and fans, this would have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We will work diligently with Irish American Events and the Big Ten Conference to find a future opportunity for us to take Fighting Illini Football to the Emerald Isle.”
February 12, 2021 / 3:34pm / Patrick Singer I see now, in this moment, that U of I Athletic Director Josh Whitman has a beard. I didn t know he grew a beard until now because, while he usually doesn t have one, this is a pandemic, and things are happening all around me that I can t really keep tabs on. Like Josh Whitman s beard, and whether or not he s grown one. Anyway, have you been outside lately? I know not many of us are leaving the house these days for much of anything because of said pandemic, but shit, it is cold. I don t like it, and I ve lived in Illinois my whole life. You d think I d understand these things by now, but somehow that chill always gets me.
Lovie Smith expected to be hired as Texans’ defensive coordinator
Lovie has a new job.
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Lovie Smith has a new job.
Illinois’ former head coach will reportedly be the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans’ new regime under David Culley. Culley, a former Ravens assistant, was named head coach for the Texans on Thursday.
The #Texans should have some key coaches finalized today, including: Tim Kelly as OC, Lovie Smith as DC and Pep Hamilton as QBs coach. https://t.co/afEHG97Kz9 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2021
The move will likely be official Friday afternoon.
Smith was fired by Illinois in December after five losing seasons and one bowl appearance in Champaign. As we all know, AD Josh Whitman hired Bret Bielema for the job, as Bielema has now finished putting together his new coaching staff.
Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs are onto the Super Bowl! Congratulations to our beloved Illini alums on the Chiefs on this tremendous accomplishment.
Del’Shawn Phillips, linebacker: Unfortunately for Phillips, he was put on the Injured Reserve list for the second time this season. Per league rules, that means
his season was officially over as of Week 10. He played in two games for the Bills in 2020, totaling 14 combined snaps on special teams in Weeks 1 and 9.
He’s still listed on the
Bills’ official website as a member of their inactive/injured list roster. The Bills had an incredible season, winning the AFC East. Hopefully Phillips recovers quickly this offseason and has a chance to make the team again in 2021.