Archive for August 2020

Former SIU football star a key player in a time of civil rights and segregation

Former SIU football star a key player in a time of civil rights and segregation
For a many longtime Southern Illinois football fans, there was no better no-way lineman than Houston Antwine. “In my honest opinion, using every piece of information that I have and trying to be objective and respectful of those who played before and after us, Houston Antwine was the best lineman every to play football at... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
August 28, 2020 at 10:47 am
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Moving the Chains with … Christian Uphoff, Illinois State senior safety

Moving the Chains with … Christian Uphoff, Illinois State senior safety
Christian Uphoff hails from the same Illinois hometown as former Illinois State University football player Colton Underwood, who recently enjoyed fame as a contestant on ABC-TV’s The Bachelor. Now a senior free safety for the Redbirds, Uphoff is drawing his own share of attention. Last week, Uphoff was named among the Senior Bowl’s Top 250... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
August 26, 2020 at 12:44 pm
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SIU coach: Season of change offers opportunities for growth

SIU coach: Season of change offers opportunities for growth
College football programs thrive on structure. “These kids are so used to that we’re able to give them 12-month calendars,” Southern Illinois head coach Nick Hill said Tuesday in a media conference call. “Here’s your days off. Here’s when you get to go home for a break.” But amid the COVID-19 pandemic and rampant uncertainty... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
August 19, 2020 at 5:52 am
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Pandemic claims oldest college football rivalry in Illinois

Pandemic claims oldest college football rivalry in Illinois
The COVID-19 pandemic put a halt Friday afternoon to the oldest college football rivalry in Illinois – the Mid-America Classic between FCS programs Eastern Illinois and Illinois State – when the schools announced via their websites that the game will not be played. The two schools, who have played football since 1901, announced Friday that... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
August 14, 2020 at 5:49 pm
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COVID-19 conditions, IHSA decision force changes for state recruiting

COVID-19 conditions, IHSA decision force changes for state recruiting
As decisions continue to be made and delayed for a possible fall college football season, recruiting is also heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s a huge impact,” Rivals recruiting analyst “Edgy Tim” O’Halloran told Prairie State Pigskin last week. “Just the seniors alone, it’s really hard to swallow. You’re competing against all these kids from... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
August 12, 2020 at 5:30 am
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No fall Missouri Valley Football Conference games for three Illinois schools

No fall Missouri Valley Football Conference games for three Illinois schools
The Missouri Valley Football Conference, which includes three Illinois FCS programs, announced Friday that it will not hold a fall league schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a vote by its Presidents Council, the conference will play an eight-game, league-only schedule with hopes there will be a Football Championship Subdivision playoff after the season. Illinois State,... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
August 7, 2020 at 9:46 pm
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SIU's first steps onto field are cautious amid COVID-19

SIU's first steps onto field are cautious amid COVID-19
When Nick Hill joins the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s weekly conference call with other head coaches today, he expects a few questions from his colleagues. Hill, the head coach at Southern Illinois, and his team began fall training camp late last week in advance of its scheduled Aug. 29 season opener at Kansas. “We’re one... Read more »
By Barry Bottino,
August 3, 2020 at 6:42 am
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Up for your consideration: A regionally based FCS 'league' featuring Illinois teams

Up for your consideration: A regionally based FCS 'league' featuring Illinois teams
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life as we know it. The world of intercollegiate sports has been thrown upside down with last spring’s activities being cancelled and the uncertainty of this fall looming. At last check, seven of the 13 FCS conferences are still trying to have a fall season. Two of those seven are the... Read more »
By Dan Verdun,
August 1, 2020 at 5:30 am
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