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SB Nation's The Champaign Room

In the summer before my sophomore year, I started writing for The Champaign Room, an SB Nation site. During my first year as a beat reporter, I covered both the Illini women's basketball and volleyball teams. After a successful year on those beats, I was promoted to being a paid writer and now cover the Illini football team.

Through this role, I've written game recaps, sidebar stories, notebooks and features, all based on live game coverage or press conferences and media availability. It's been great to get experience working on a tight deadline while also getting better as a writer and interviewer.  Check out some of my stories down below!

    The Champaign Room •

    ‘I’m going to put on a show’: Xavier Scott on decision to return to Illinois

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Much to the delight of Illini fans everywhere, defensive back Xavier Scott recently announced that he would be returning for the 2026 season.

    Scott has been a consistent star in the Illinois secondary and was eyeing his biggest year yet in 2025, especially with all the pre-season hype his team was garnering.

    Things unfortunately did not go the two-time All-Big Ten nominee’s way, as he ended up suffering a season-ending ankle injury in just the team’s third game of the season.
    The Champaign Room •

    ‘Super excited about this class’: Bielema talks 2026 recruits

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Dec. 3 marked a special day in the college football world, as the next generation of football stars signed their letters of intent on National Signing Day.

    In high school gyms and special gatherings across the country, players were declaring which college program they’d be bringing their talents to, much to the delight of fanbases and coaching staffs everywhere.

    Perhaps one of the happiest places in the U.S. was in Champaign, as fans and coaches alike watched on as their Fighting Illini pieced together the top-rated class in program history, the No. 21 class in the country...
    The Champaign Room •

    Creative play-calling, explosive Illini offense fuel bounce-back win

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Sparks were flying in Champaign as the No.23 Illinois’ offense dazzled its way to 34 points on six total scoring drives against the No. 21 USC Trojans, including a game-winning drive as time expired.

    Offensive coordinator and play-caller Barry Lunney Jr. got deep into his bag during Saturday’s Homecoming showdown, with the most highlight-worthy score of the day coming with some trickery...
    The Champaign Room •

    Illinois overcomes slow start, closes out big win over Western Michigan

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In front of their first sell-out crowd of the season, the No. 9 Illini fought their way to a big-time 38-0 win over the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

    A game that had all the makings of being a potential blowout turned out to be a tighter contest than expected in the first half, as Illinois was only able to build up to a 10-0 lead...