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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area:
Illinois athletics
From left, former Illini Johnny Newton, Chase Brown and Quan Martin after the Commanders beat the Bengals 38-33 on Monday night in Cincinnati.
Three reasons we love sports today
➜ 1. Former Illini offensive lineman Nick Allegretti graded out at 87.7 percent in pass blocking during the Commanders’ 38-33 road win against the Bengals on Monday night. And got in a question to teammate Trent Scott after his fellow offensive lineman caught the first touchdown pass of Jayden Daniels’ NFL career.
“Was there any doubt or 100 percent catch? Allegretti asked among reporters.
“Never a doubt,” Scott said.
➜ 2. Former Illini Chase Brown also handled himself well on Monday night, rushing for 62 yards on just seven carries with the Bengals.
➜ 3. Exactly one week until Big Ten basketball media day tips off Oct. 2 in Rosemont. The season is almost here.
Collin Dixon and Illinois will try to get to 5-0 on Saturday night at Penn State.
Numbers game: 26
FBS teams out of 134 who are still undefeated. Illinois included. The Illini join fellow Big Ten teams Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Rutgers as programs without a loss yet. Alabama, Army, BYU, Duke, Georgia, Iowa State, James Madison, Liberty, Louisville, Miami, Mississippi, Missouri, Navy, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Texas, UCF, UNLV, Utah and Washington State are the others.
Matthew Bodony, middle, and the rest of the Urbana boys’ soccer team play at Centennial on Thursday night.
Crowd control
Three events I’m paying attention to
➜ 1. Illinois at Penn State football. The Illini and Nittany Lions have met 27 times before. Outside of the first game in the series — the 1954 season opener Penn State won 14-12 in Champaign — Saturday night’s game is the only other time both Illinois and Penn State are undefeated heading into the matchup.
➜ 2. Illinois at Oregon volleyball. Welcome to the new Big Ten. The Illini (8-2) start league play at 9:30 p.m. Friday with a road match against the 11th-ranked Ducks (8-1). Yes, that’s right. A 9:30 p.m. start.
➜ 3. Urbana at Centennial boys’ soccer. Nearby Big 12 Conference foes meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in what should be a competitive match in Champaign.
Kirsten Smith, top middle, and her Prairie Central volleyball team.
Coach’s corner
Three questions with Prairie Central volleyball coach Kirsten Smith:
➜ 1. My favorite sports team is … the Chicago Cubs. I love going to Wrigley Field and watching the game.
➜ 2. Three coaches I’d like to have dinner with are … Jim Shepard, Karch Kiraly and Bob Ladouceur.
➜ 3. My biggest pet peeve is … in volleyball, hitters blaming the setters or dropped balls. As a teacher, students turning in homework late while we are working on the next activity. In general, when someone dismisses accomplishments.