It had been speculated, and now it’s true: Everett Withers has been hired as co-defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Ohio State. Withers was the interim head coach at North Carolina this season after Butch Davis was fired in July. Withers, who also was UNC’s defensive coordinator, guided the Tar Heels to a 7-5 mark and spot in the Independence Bowl vs. Missouri on December 26.

Illinois once again put on a dismal offensive display against Cornell. Things started out well, with Bruce Weber’s team taking a 10-3 lead out of the gate, but the offense completely fell apart from there. But we’ve seen numbers like this from Illinois before:

BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart spent the season covering Big Ten football, and now it’s time for his team-by-team season recaps. For the past 12 days, Dienhart has posted a recap for each Big Ten school, in alphabetical order. Up here: Wisconsin. Watch our feature on the Ultimate Montee Ball Highlight Reel now and read Dienhart’s season recap in this post.

On tonight’s Big Ten Football Report, our Rick Pizzo, Gerry Dinardo and Howard Griffith get you updated on the latest in college football, including the NCAA sanctions on Ohio State and how the penalties will impact the Buckeyes moving forward. Also, we look ahead to the bowl games and the most intriguing story lines, including a look at Marcus Coker’s suspension for the Insight Bowl. Our handy bowl game schedule with TV and game times is right here, too.

BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart spent the season covering Big Ten football, and now it’s time for his team-by-team season recaps. Up right here: Purdue. Watch our video from the Boilermakers’ exciting overtime victory over Ohio State now and read Dienhart’s season recap in this post.