Illinois digs in for fight with neighbor Eastern Illinois

(Photo credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports)
In last year's opener, Illinois needed an improbable fourth-down conversion and a last-second field goal in order to beat Toledo in Champaign.

Illinois hopes it won't be pushed as hard in Thursday's opener against Eastern Illinois, an FCS foe located 45 miles south of Champaign. But fourth-yearcoach Bret Bielema suspects the Panthers will make the most of their first shot at th