Top of the Morning, Oct. 31, 2026

Oct. 31—Among guests on today’s ‘The News-Gazette Tailgate Show’ () who’ll be in the stadium for Illini-Maryland:

Dave and Lisa Fink

The Illini grads met on campus in 1992 “and attended as many homes games as my coaching allowed,” said Dave, who retired as Unity football’s defensive coordinator in 2025. Dave and Lisa, communications director at State Universities Retirement System, are excited about this weekend’s trip as it’s a chance to catch up with former Unity star Dane Eisenmenger — a freshman on Bret Bielema’s team— and his family. They also have tickets for the Illini’s game at Northwestern at its $875 million Ryan Field on Nov. 28. “I think they’re trying to pay for that stadium in one year,” Dave said. “Tickets are unbelievably expensive.”

Emma Bloemer

A Teutopolis High grad and sophomore on the Illini cheer team, she’s making her first road trip. “It’s something a little girl from T-Town probably wasn’t assuming would be in the cards but here we are.” As a sophomore at T-Town, Emma cheered at State Farm Center when the boys’ basketball team advanced to the IHSA state tournament. “I knew then that I will be back and cheering on this sideline again,” she said. “It’s kind of cool to see that dream of mine live out.”

At : Podcast

Today’s ‘News-Gazette Tailgate Show’ features celebrity picker J Leman, DC Illini Club’s Jennifer Nevious, Brass Rail GM Michelle Warren and Chris Williams, the University of Illinois Police Department’s liaison to the football program.