A friend sent me a text asking where the Collin Dixon catch ranks among great Illini catches of the last 50 years. Here's my answer - I put together a top five and then a bunch of honorable mentions. Article is unlocked. illiniboard.com/one-question-m…

Introducing our new partnership with the @Light_The_I Podcast! Check out their podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Look, I love that AI made me the sax player but let's be honest - everyone is watching Joey for the whole video. He's an entire vibe.

In this picture we have:

5 star #3 CB recruit in the nation
4 star #5 S recruit in the nation
4 star #9 LB recruit in the nation
4 star #8 CB recruit in the nation

…and a kid from Gibson City.

I just can’t get over yesterday. Perfect weather, perfect tailgate, perfect win over an imperfect opponent, perfect postgame celebration. 10s across the board.

Did We Ball?

Top week 8 teams who balled out:
- Texas
- Illinois
- South Carolina
- UCF
- Cincinnati

Painful losses for the following CFP contenders:
- Oregon (likely no longer a contender)
- Texas Tech
- Iowa (long odds)
- BYU
- Tennessee

When @ALionEye predicts a 28-point loss, but we end up winning the game outright…

Looking through the folder and... check out this great photo from @illiniholly of Christian Abney's touchdown.

Three horn blasts means I-L-L.

We are lit.

See you all right here in 25 minutes. Our special guest lighting the I tonight: Michael Clayton’s mom.

UPDATE: There’s a certain relative of Mrs. Clayton who will be lighting the I now (her request). So give us 25 more minutes.

What happened here?

That Dixon TD catch (which was right in front of my seats) is the most I’ve lost my mind in the stands since moving out of the pressbox in 2022. Just absolute delirium.

Things that are great about college football, part 283: This guy making the decision to utilize all of the extra rally towels in the student section to make a new shirt.

Love the mix of Clayton and Boyd today. Keep ‘em off balance.

BTTTGAV

Obviously, the concern now immediately goes to the injuries. Tomi returned to the bench quickly, so that tells me his knee injury wasn't serious, but I need to know that everything is OK with Z and Andrej before I can feel OK. Also, I need to know why Mirk is back in his boot.

And because of those injuries...

Minutes from The Retention + Vaaks: 99
Minutes from the freshmen + Jakstys: 101

Didn't think I'd say this tonight but we're the #3 team losing an exhibition game at home by six with 3:45 left and this is currently so much fun. Four of the returnees are out with injuries and the freshmen have cut a 22 point Baylor lead to six.