Archive for July 2020

No definitive answers as Illinois FCS programs begin fall camps

No definitive answers as Illinois FCS programs begin fall camps
As the calendar flips from July to August and teams open camps, in many ways Illinois’ four FCS programs are no closer to answers than when spring arrived and then turned into summer. The two biggest questions remain: Will there be a season? If so, what does that season look like? As of now, seven of... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
July 31, 2020 at 11:11 am
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Driven by winning, SIU quarterback Lyles makes off-season count

Driven by winning, SIU quarterback Lyles makes off-season count
After college football programs across the country shut down workouts in March, Kare’ Lyles was at a loss. “I spent two weeks just trying to get a grasp on what was going on,” said Lyles, the starting quarterback who led Southern Illinois to a 7-5 record last season, its best since 2013. Longing to keep... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
July 24, 2020 at 6:16 am
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To play or not to play? A decision could be coming for Ohio Valley Conference, EIU next week

To play or not to play? A decision could be coming for Ohio Valley Conference, EIU next week
On a day when Eastern Illinois had two players honored by the Ohio Valley Conference, the league’s commissioner addressed growing concerns that the fall season may be altered or even outright cancelled. EIU redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Hill and senior linebacker Dytarious Johnson were named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference preseason team. As of now,... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
July 20, 2020 at 4:19 pm
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Moving the Chains with … WIU director of strength and conditioning Jon Minnis

Moving the Chains with … WIU director of strength and conditioning Jon Minnis
Jon Minnis has owned his own athletic training business in Iowa, served in the Navy overseas and grew up in a small town in his home state. Now, he’s back in Macomb for the second time. Minnis, who has a master’s degree in kinesiology from WIU, returned in March to take over as the school’s... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
July 17, 2020 at 9:26 pm
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Big Ten decision leaves Illinois FCS programs scrambling

Big Ten decision leaves Illinois FCS programs scrambling
A day after the Big Ten announced it will go to a conference-only season for all fall sports, including football, in the midst of “unprecedented times” during the coronavirus pandemic, FCS conferences are now scrambling to find potential games to fill voids in their own schedules. Thursday’s announcement means that Missouri Valley Football Conference members Illinois... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
July 10, 2020 at 11:36 am
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If fall brings football for the OVC, 'It’s going to look very different in terms of structure'

If fall brings football for the OVC, 'It’s going to look very different in terms of structure'
“It’s an interesting time. We sure hope so is the best answer. All of us are working very hard and trying very hard to plan for a football season this fall. Obviously, everyone in Division I football wants there to be a football season coming up here in a month plus, but we need to... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
July 9, 2020 at 4:25 pm
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