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John Paddock threw for three touchdowns and Ball State beat Murray State 31-0 on Saturday for the Cardinals' first win of the season and their first shutout in 14 years. Carson Steele added 151 yards on 25 carries, including a 1-yard score that made it 31-0. Paddock was 27-of-44 passing for 217 yards with an interception. Ball State's first three scores came on Paddock passes to Brady Hunt, Tanner Koziol and Jayshon Jackson. The Cardinals (1-2) led 14-0 at halftime and 24-0 after three quarters. The Cardinals outgained the Racers 476-155. The Cardinals' last shutout came in 2008 against Toledo - also 31-0. In this one, Nic Jones had a pair of interceptions, the first Cardinal with two picks in a game since Amechi Uzodinma II had two versus Miami (Ohio) in 2019. Isaac McNamee was just 7-of-22 passing for 57 yards and two interceptions for the Racers (0-3). Jawaun Northington rushed for 71 yards on 17 carries. - Ball State/AP College Football

(DS#58 QB) rSr/2024

QB John Paddock, Illinois
News Source: Ball State/AP College Football
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09/13/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

Illinois's Chase Brown is well on his way to a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season. Brown has 504 yards through three games and leads the nation with 168 per game after going for 146 against Virginia on Saturday. It was his fourth straight 100-yard game since last season, when he averaged 100.5 over his 10 games. - AP College Football

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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09/13/22 - Luke Altmyer, rSr/2026, Illinois, 6-2, 210 (DS#10 QB) + More +

Mississippi defeated the Bears 59-3 in a dominating performance from all three phases of the game. Quarterback Luke Altmyer got his first college start at quarterback and had a good outing, posting a three-touchdown evening, two through the air and one on the ground. During the second quarter, he was replaced by Jaxson Dart after he suffered an upper-body injury. Dart took over, and the Rebels didn't skip a beat. There's still no official word on who the starting quarterback will be for the season, as head coach Lane Kiffin hasn't given a definitive answer. "We'll go back and look at the film and see what we think," Kiffin said. - Daily Mississippi

(DS#10 QB) rSr/2026

QB Luke Altmyer, Illinois
News Source: Daily Mississippi
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09/10/22 - Luke Altmyer, rSr/2026, Illinois, 6-2, 210 (DS#10 QB) + More +

Luke Altmyer threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, Michael Trigg had three touchdown catches and No. 22 Mississippi routed Central Arkansas 59-3 on Saturday night. Ole Miss (2-0) raced to a 28-0 first-quarter lead, highlighted by touchdown passes of 1 and 7 yards from Altmyer to Trigg before adding a 1-yard scoring run to cap the decisive surge. Altmyer was 6 of 13 for 90 yards before being lifted late in the second quarter with what a school spokesperson described as an upper-body injury, pending evaluation. The early outburst opened with a 6-yard touchdown run from Zach Evans.

Ole Miss got a 25-yard punt return for a touchdown from Ladarius Tennyson after a poor snap, and set up another score when Bobo Miller blocked a punt. Atlantic Sun Conference member Central Arkansas (0-2), trailed 31-0 at halftime. It had 182 yards of total offense. Hayden Ray made a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout. Jaxson Dart, a transer from Southern California, relieved Altmyer and finished 10 of 15 passing for 182 yards, highlighted by touchdown passes of 6 yards to Malik Heath and 2 yards to Trigg. Ole Miss finished with 487 yards of total offense. Quinshon Judkins rushed for 104 yards as the Rebels pulled away, leading 52-0 after three periods. - Mississippi/AP College Football

(DS#10 QB) rSr/2026

QB Luke Altmyer, Illinois
News Source: Mississippi/AP College Football
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09/10/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

Chase Brown rushed for 146 yards on 20 carries, Tommy DeVito threw for 196 yards and two scores and the Illinois defense stifled Virginia's once-potent attack to lead the Fighting Illini to a 24-3 victory on Saturday. Things looked dicey for Illinois (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) after DeVito threw an interception on his first pass attempt of the day and when Brown fumbled after a first-down run. However, a dominant defense cleared the path to victory as the Illini held Virginia (1-1) to 1 of 16 on third-down conversions.

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon shined with seven tackles and three pass breakups and defensive end Keith Randolph came up with 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and seven tackles. DeVito bounced back to complete 17 of 25 passes, including 39-yard and 2-yard touchdown throws to tight ends Michael Marchese and Tip Reiman, respectively, to help the Illini take a 21-3 lead into the half. True freshman Matthew Bailey put Illinois ahead 7-3 by recovering a muffed punt that bounced into the end zone for a touchdown with 5:38 left in the opening quarter. Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong struggled to find his receivers, completing just 13 of 32 passes for 180 yards with two interceptions. He threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-14 win against the Illini in 2021. - Illinois/AP College Football

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: Illinois/AP College Football
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08/29/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

AUG 29 BIG TEN CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Chase Brown, Illinois, RB - Jr. - London, Ontario - St. Stephens Episcopal (Fla.),...Led the Illinois offense to a 38-6 win over Wyoming in Week 0, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to three receptions (on three targets) for 16 yards and a touchdown...Brown's 151 yards pushed him past the 2,000-yard milestone for his collegiate career, while his rushing yards are the most in a season-opener by an Illinois rusher since at least 1945...Recorded the first receiving touchdown of his career with a 14-yard TD reception from Tommy DeVito on the game's opening drive...Earns his third career Offensive Player of the Week award...Last Illinois Offensive Player of the Week: Chase Brown (Oct. 25, 2021). - Big Ten Football

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: Big Ten Football
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08/28/22 - Tommy DeVito, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD WATCH LIST: Tommy DeVito, Illinois,...First seson at Illinois after transferring to Champaign from Syracuse...Played in 24 games with 15 starts over three seasons at Syracuse...Completed 305-of-520 (.586) passes for 3,478 yards and 27 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, while rushing for 128 yards and three scores...Responsible for 3,606 career yards of total offense and 26 touchdowns...Ranked in the top 10 all-time at Syracuse in completion percentage (7th, 58.6), passer rating (8th, 128.1), passing yards per game (7th, 144.9), touchdown passes (7th, 27), completions (9th, 305) and passing yards (10th, 3,478). - Illinois Football

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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08/27/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

Chase Brown scored three touchdowns and rushed for 151 yards and Tommy DeVito completed 27 of 37 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns in his debut as Illinois breezed past Wyoming 38-6 in a season-opener on Saturday. Only 41 seconds elapsed before Brown found his way into the end zone, latching onto a 14-yard pass from DeVito to put Illinois in front. Brown surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards - including his freshman season at Western Michigan - on an 18-yard run in the second quarter.

Brown followed with an 11-yard TD run and kicker Caleb Griffin connected from 27 yards out to give Illinois a 17-3 halftime lead. Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley completed just six of 21 passes for 40 yards in his debut. Cowboys running back Titus Swen rushed for 98 yards on 17 carries, while Peasley added 76 rushing yards on eight attempts. The Cowboys converted just 1 of 12 third-down attempts, while the Illini were successful on 7 of 16. John Hoyland had field goals of 22 yards and 46 yards for the Cowboys' lone scores. Illinois upped its lead to 31-6 early in the fourth quarter when Brown scored on a 5-yard run. - Illinois/AP College Football

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: Illinois/AP College Football
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08/25/22 - Tommy DeVito, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-1, 210 (DS#18 QB) + More +

Bret Bielema announced Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito as Illinois' starting quarterback on Thursday. DeVito has a promising arm and the potential to boost the offense under first-year coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., hired from UTSA after the Roadrunners embarrassed Bielema's squad last year. The run-happy Cowboys lost quarterbacks Sean Chambers and Levi Williams to the transfer portal and brought in Andrew Peasley from rival Utah State and Evan Svoboda from Snow College. The result could hinge on which team's newcomers hit the ground running. - AP College Football

(DS#18 QB) rSr/2023

QB Tommy DeVito, Illinois
News Source: AP College Football
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08/22/22 - Nicario Harper, rSr/2024, Illinois, 5-11, 200 (DS#38 FS) + More +

Nicario Harper wasn't happy with the feedback he'd received. After two seasons at Jacksonville State, Harper was ready to take the next step and to enter the 2022 NFL draft. The only problem? Scouts weren't sold on him. He was told they wanted to see him in coverage more and to work on his hips. Harper, who had a stint at Southern Miss before Jacksonville State, was open to what he'd been told even if he wasn't thrilled to hear it. "They just really see me as a physical player, as a downhill thumper," the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year said, "and I want to be able to show my versatility more." Instead of staying at Jacksonville State, he moved back up to the FBS level and transferred to Louisville, where he's been given the chance to show off his versatility. During fall camp, the Cardinals repped Harper at multiple spots, including the CARD linebacker, free safety and nickelback positions.

Harper is one of six transfers, out of 13 total that joined the roster during the offseason, that coach Scott Satterfield's staff brought in to reinforce a secondary that gave up the fourth-most passing yards in the ACC (3,193 yards) and 20 touchdowns (10th). The bulk of Harper's experience as a Gamecock was at safety where he tallied 54 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in addition to being a Buck Buchanon Award finalist, given to the top safety in FCS, in his final season. That's not all he has to offer, though, and the Georgia native welcomes the opportunity to display more of his capabilities this season. "A lot of people just think I'm just a physical guy, but I want to show also I can cover," he said. "I can move around. I can blitz. I can play up top. I can play in a box. I can do everything. That's the kind of player I feel like I am, so I want to I'm glad I got the opportunity to show that this season." - Courier Journal

(DS#38 FS) rSr/2024

FS Nicario Harper, Illinois
News Source: Courier Journal
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08/21/22 - Michael Marchese, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-4, 235 (DS#70 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Michael Marchese, University of Illinois,...Academic All-Big Ten...Played in 11 games with one start...Two receptions for 30 yards on the season...First career reception at Minnesota...Switched to tight end during 2021 spring practices. - Illinois Football

(DS#70 TE) rSr/2023

TE Michael Marchese, Illinois
News Source: Illinois Football
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08/21/22 - Alex Palczewski, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-7, 303 (DS#20 OT) + More +

Alex Palczewski was going through Hula Bowl practices - one of the many all-star events for seniors ahead of the NFL draft - when Illinois coach Bret Bielema called and told him there was a plan to get him a sixth season of eligibility. That's the opportunity Palczewski will use this fall, and the fact he enters the season fully healthy and set to play the whole year at his more natural right-tackle position could elevate his stock when it comes to the 2023 NFL draft. For now, he'll be a veteran anchor at one end of a rebuilt Illinois offensive line. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#20 OT) rSr/2023

OT Alex Palczewski, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/15/22 - Julian Pearl, rSr/2024, Illinois, 6-6, 312 (DS#26 OT) + More +

The measurables are all there for Julian Pearl. Solid athlete. Great length. Physical. That doesn't mean there isn't room to grow for the former Danville standout turned Illinois offensive lineman. As he continues to gain experience as the Illini's starting left tackle, the coaching staff has challenged him to be more of a leader. To channel his inner Vederian Lowe - the longtime starter at left tackle he's replacing this fall. "He was a young player that was very talented that was playing on a line with Doug Kramer, (Alex Palczewski) and Verderian (Lowe)," Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller said. "He never had to be thrust into that. Now, he is a veteran player and he is an older guy that needs to take on that. We've challenged him to do that over the course of the summer. "Honestly, the first two days I was not pleased with him in camp, but then he just turned it on and has really played well, practiced well. He worked on some of his technique flaws from last season. It's fun to see him grow and mature in that light." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#26 OT) rSr/2024

OT Julian Pearl, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/13/22 - Isaac Darkangelo, rSr/2023, Illinois, 6-0, 227 (DS#23 ILB) + More +

Isaac Darkangelo leaned into a family maxim when he decided to transfer from Northern Michigan. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker had already carved out a starring role at Division II Northern Michigan. He totaled 60 tackles in 10 games as a true freshman, and his 105 tackles in 10 games as a sophomore ranked him second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. But Darkangelo always dreamed of playing football in the Big Ten. He grew up in Big Ten country in Brighton, Mich., which is situated north of Ann Arbor and in between East Lansing and Detroit. Darkangelo also had the confidence he could compete at that level.

So he entered the transfer portal. Former Illinois coach Lovie Smith took a chance on the All-GLIAC Second Team linebacker as a walk-on. Darkangelo had his Big Ten opportunity. "One big thing in my family is to have no regrets in whatever you do," Darkangelo said Wednesday afternoon after the Illini wrapped up another training camp practice ahead of their Aug. 27 opener against Wyoming. "Honestly, I knew if I didn't take the chance on myself, I would regret it for sure...My biggest motivation was I didn't want to let my family down. I always wanted to play in the Big Ten - I knew I could - and I wanted to come here and prove myself." Darkangelo had to wait for the opportunity to prove himself. He sat out the 2020 season after transferring. Then came the coaching change from Smith to Bret Bielema. Darkangelo's fortunes ultimately weren't hurt. He earned a scholarship last fall, played in all 12 games and wound up one of the top-rated special teams players in the Big Ten. - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#23 ILB) rSr/2023

ILB Isaac Darkangelo, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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08/13/22 - Chase Brown, Sr/2023, Illinois, 5-10, 209 (DS#10 RB) + More +

Chase Brown would prefer to get every carry possible. The Illinois running back isn't going to the coaching staff asking to touch the ball less - in practice or on game day. But Brown also understands just how much is expected of him this season. If that means a lighter workload during an August training camp practice, so be it. "I'm a person who likes to go, but I also have to respect coach's decisions," Brown said. "With load management, if they want to hold me back one day, I understand that. On a load management day, I'm taking as many mental reps as possible. Even when I'm not in, I'm in. I know what's coming. I'm confident and just looking forward to competing this year. I can't wait until Wyoming and Indiana and anybody else down that schedule." - News Gazette Tribune

(DS#10 RB) Sr/2023

RB Chase Brown, Illinois
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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