Colleen Kane

5 takeaways from Notre Dame’s win over Boise State, including Leonard Moore’s return and the defense stepping up Notre Dame appeared to have its defensive mojo back as it topped Boise State 28-7 on Saturday in the Broncos’ first trip to Notre Dame Stadium.

5 takeaways from Notre Dame's win over Boise State, including Leonard Moore's return, the defense rounding back into form, the fourth-down failures, Marcus Freeman on the roughing the passer calls and Jadarian Price’s big run:

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/04/n...

College football Week 5 takeaways: Illinois maintains confidence, while Notre Dame rebuilds its CFP case If there was any question about how Illinois would respond after its embarrassing 53-point loss at Indiana, the Illini answered it early — and late — vs. USC.

College football Week 5 takeaways: Illinois maintains confidence, Notre Dame keeps rebuilding its CFP case, Northwestern leans on run game in first Big Ten win and more: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/c...

Griffin Wilde transferred to Northwestern to play vs. ‘big-time names’ in Big Ten — and he’s showing he belongs Wide receiver Griffin Wilde loved South Dakota State, but Northwestern gives him the opportunity to show he can thrive on a bigger stage.

Griffin Wilde transferred to Northwestern from South Dakota State to show he belongs playing against "big-time names" in the Big Ten. “And hopefully I will be able to make a name for myself as well.” On the Wildcats receiver's step up: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/26/n...

No. 9 Illinois completely outclassed from start to finish in ‘sickening’ 63-10 loss to No. 19 Indiana In a rare ranked matchup Saturday night, No. 19 Indiana looked like a repeat College Football Playoff contender. No. 9 Illinois looked outclassed in a 63-10 loss.

After “sickening” 53-point loss to Indiana, Illini say they need to “eat this shit sandwich and keep moving.” On the night the Illinois hype crashed back down to earth against a Hoosiers team that looks like a repeat CFP contender: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/21/i...

Illinois’ Gabe Jacas is determined to keep rising — for his team, his family and eventually his future Illinois coach Bret Bielema called outside linebacker Gabe Jacas “extremely motivated” to improve after he decided last winter to give Champaign one more year.

Illinois’ Gabe Jacas is determined to keep rising — for his team, his family and eventually his future. The Illini OLB on how his family shaped him, his work to get better and how he wants to be a leader in his fourth season in Champaign: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/17/g...

3 things we learned from Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, who might spend more time with the defense After Notre Dame’s 0-2 start, coach Marcus Freeman put it on himself and his staff to figure out how to fix the execution problems on defense.

Marcus Freeman cited a number of potential factors in Notre Dame's lack of defensive execution Saturday, including focus, technique and personnel.

“All of those things are the responsibility of us as coaches.”

3 things @colleenkane.bsky.social learned from the Irish coach.

Notre Dame’s playoff future already ‘uncertain’ after nail-biting loss to Texas A&M A 41-40 loss to No. 16 Texas A&M in a riveting finish leaves No. 8 Notre Dame wondering where to go from here.

Notre Dame’s playoff future already "uncertain" after nail-biting loss to Texas A&M. On the riveting finish in South Bend last night, the many Notre Dame defensive problems and where the Irish go next after an 0-2 start: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/14/n...

Illinois renames its football venue Gies Memorial Stadium after $100 million donation from alumnus The Illinois athletic department announced the largest donation in its history Tuesday: a $100 million gift from alumnus Larry Gies.

Illinois' nearly 102-year-old football stadium has a new name — Gies Memorial Stadium — after a $100 million donation from alumnus Larry Gies, the largest in the athletic department's history.

More from @colleenkane.bsky.social.

NIU’s Thomas Hammock, who went ‘viral’ for transfer portal comments, tries to stay adaptable in a new era Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock says he’s not against transfers or revenue sharing. He just wants players to consider other factors.

Caught up with Northern Illinois’ Thomas Hammock to talk about his viral transfer portal comments, staying competitive amid major roster turnover and the remnants of the Notre Dame win last year: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/27/n...

Will QB Luke Altmyer rise to the occasion — and who will step up at WR? 5 questions for No. 12 Illinois. No. 12 Illinois enters the season with high hopes but also questions about QB Luke Altmyer, the wide receivers — and historical shortcomings.

@colleenkane.bsky.social's 5 questions for No. 12 Illinois:

- Can the Illini buck the up-then-down season trend?
- Will QB Luke Altmyer rise to the occasion?
- Who will step up at receiver?
- Can an experienced defense with several stars become more dangerous?
- How will they handle early tests?

Northwestern reaches a settlement with former coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired amid a hazing scandal Northwestern has reached a settlement with former football coach Pat Fitzgerald nearly two years after he sued the university for $130 million following his firing.

Northwestern has reached a settlement with former football coach Pat Fitzgerald nearly 2 years after he sued the university for $130M following his firing amid a team hazing scandal.

Chicago native Katie Schumacher-Cawley has a new perspective after winning national title amid cancer battle Penn State volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley has a different perspective entering this season. How could she not after a battle with breast cancer?

After winning a national championship while fighting breast cancer, Penn State volleyball coach and Chicago native Katie Schumacher-Cawley is back in 2025 with her same determination to enjoy coaching in the moment as she juggles treatments and practices. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/21/p...

Notre Dame coaches not ‘freaked out’ as quarterback competition continues between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wasn’t ready to announce a starting quarterback Sunday, two weeks before the Irish opener at Miami.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wasn’t ready to announce a starting quarterback Sunday, two weeks before the Irish opener at Miami.

📝 @colleenkane.bsky.social

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer embraces lofty expectations after returning for his 3rd season in Champaign Quarterback Luke Altmyer believes Illinois belongs in the conversation of the top teams in the country. He’s confident he can show why.

Luke Altmyer, entering his 3rd season as starting QB, has been in Champaign long enough that he recognizes the preseason buzz the Illini are generating is rare territory.

"It's noticeable. And so it only makes us want to do really cool things and special things.”

📝 @colleenkane.bsky.social

Preston Stone, a graduate transfer from SMU, takes over Northwestern QB job with ‘earned confidence’ Northwestern coach David Braun has touted graduate transfer QB Preston Stone’s processing skills, deep-ball accuracy and team leadership.

"I’ve had the mentality that I’m going to do what it takes to get on the field."

Meet Preston Stone, the graduate transfer from SMU who will take over the Northwestern QB job with "earned confidence."

📝 @colleenkane.bsky.social

Stressed athletes and coaches wait as deadline nears to solve NCAA’s ‘changing’ roster limits issue The possibility of roster reductions in college sports due to the House vs. NCAA settlement has caused stress for many players who occupy fringe spots.

College athletes and coaches await resolution of House settlement roster limits issue after months of stress. Some Chicago-area athletes and advocates on the topic that is holding up the approval: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/06/c...

Leila Rahimi is named as Dan Bernstein’s replacement as The Score’s midday co-host Leila Rahimi, a longtime Chicago TV and radio host, will co-host the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. weekday show with Marshall Harris on WSCR-AM 670.

The Score named longtime Chicago TV and radio host Leila Rahimi as co-host of its midday show with Marshall Harris.

She replaces Dan Bernstein, who was fired last month after a social media spat.

Story by @colleenkane.bsky.social.

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/28/w...

How Northwestern and its business school are helping coaches take on college sports’ new challenges Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson said “the timing is perfect” to launch a new coaches academy taught by Kellogg School of Management faculty.

As athletic departments race to keep up with the changing college sports world, Northwestern is trying something new — providing its coaches with training in analytics, negotiation, leadership and more through the Kellogg School of Management.

How Jill Pizzotti aims to honor Doug Bruno’s basketball legacy while getting DePaul back on a winning track New DePaul coach Jill Pizzotti went 20 years between head coaching jobs, but her varied experiences earned her the next shot.

As Jill Pizzotti replaces DePaul legend Doug Bruno, she will rely on a deep coaching background and a drive to get the Blue Demons back on track. On her long journey to her second head coaching job:

Northwestern and star Madison Taylor want to create ‘something special’ for ‘Lacrosse Night in Chicago’ Northwestern’s “Lacrosse Night in Chicago” event will feature the Wildcats’ lakefront stadium, several former players — and star Madison Taylor.

Northwestern and star Madison Taylor want to create "something special" for "Lacrosse Night in Chicago." Details on the event tonight vs. Michigan and why Taylor, the Division I scoring leader, is in the spotlight this season:

How new Chicago State coach Bobby Rome II plans to build the city’s only Division I football program Chicago State introduced Bobby Rome II as its first football coach, with the goal of playing Division I FCS games in 2026.

How new Chicago State coach Bobby Rome II plans to build the city’s only Division I football program. From Rome’s introduction today: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/08/c...

How college sports are preparing for ‘seismic change,’ including revenue sharing and new roster limits College athletic directors, including at Northwestern and Northern Illinois, have decisions to make on revenue sharing, roster limits and more as a landmark settlement heads to final approval.

As the House settlement hearing begins this afternoon, a look at how local college sports are preparing for 'seismic change,' including revenue sharing and new roster limits www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/05/h...

How college sports are preparing for ‘seismic change,’ including revenue sharing and new roster limits College athletic directors, including at Northwestern and Northern Illinois, have decisions to make on revenue sharing, roster limits and more as a landmark settlement heads to final approval.

As college sports prepares for “seismic change,” Northwestern AD Mark Jackson and Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier spoke about the challenges, questions and positives they see ahead with the House settlement looming:

In a big-money era, University of Illinois shrugs off rules on athletes’ NIL deals Illinois’ flagship university says rules requiring student-athletes to disclose NIL deals aren’t relevant In the wild west of today’s college sports.

In the current wild west era of college sports, Illinois shrugs off a state law - one they pushed for - that requires its athletes to report their NIL deals.

Story w/ @jodiscohen.bsky.social and @propublica.org

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/04/i...

Notre Dame loses to TCU 71-62 in the Sweet 16, ending its NCAA Tournament run A season steeped with promise ended in early heartbreak for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who suffered a 71-62 upset loss to TCU on Saturday in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

This was always going to be hard.

But between an Olivia Miles injury and a hefty matchup disadvantage, Notre Dame couldn’t overcome TCU.

The Sweet 16 loss capped a devastating run to end the season for the Irish.

DePaul to begin national search for next women’s basketball coach after Doug Bruno steps down DePaul women’s basketball coach Doug Bruno is stepping down after 39 seasons and a 786-405 record at the helm of the program.

Doug Bruno, whose DePaul teams made 25 NCAA Tournaments, steps down from coaching after 39 seasons. More on the retirement of a coach who has been a champion of growing the women's game in Illinois and beyond for decades:

Loyola coach Drew Valentine believes Ramblers’ win to get to NIT semifinal makes ‘a statement about our program’ Miles Rubin had 18 points, 9 rebounds and two blocks to help Loyola win its NIT quarterfinal against Kent State at home on Wednesday.

Loyola coach Drew Valentine believes Ramblers’ win over Kent State to get to NIT semifinal makes “a statement about our program.”

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/26/l...

‘Speed dating’ begins for Illinois coach Brad Underwood as the college basketball transfer portal opens The NCAA basketball transfer portal opened less than 24 hours after Kentucky eliminated Illinois in the NCAA Tournament second round. The Illini have decisions to make.

"Speed dating" began for Illinois coach Brad Underwood as the college basketball transfer portal opened yesterday.

What he had to say about the quick turnaround from the NCAA Tournament loss, potential Illini departures and his roster building thoughts:

Turnovers end Illinois’ season in an 84-75 loss to Kentucky in the 2nd round of the men’s NCAA Tournament No. 6 seed Illinois already was having trouble keeping up with No. 3 seed Kentucky on Sunday in the second round of the men’s NCAA Tournament, and then Koby Brea got hot.

“I am sad. And I’m mad at myself that I let the team down today.”

Illinois players on the emotions of the NCAA Tournament loss to Kentucky, the inconsistencies of the season and an uncertain future for the Illini roster:

Turnovers end Illinois’ season in an 84-75 loss to Kentucky in the 2nd round of the men’s NCAA Tournament No. 6 seed Illinois already was having trouble keeping up with No. 3 seed Kentucky on Sunday in the second round of the men’s NCAA Tournament, and then Koby Brea got hot.

No. 6 seed Illinois already was having trouble keeping up with No. 3 seed Kentucky on Sunday in the second round of the men's NCAA Tournament, and then Koby Brea got hot.

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