McMillen Shines in First Career Start With Training From Josh Kreutz

With the mentorship of Illinois veteran center Josh Kreutz, 20-year-old TJ McMillen was able to perform at a high level in his first career start in the Illini’s win at Purdue.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 8th, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The timeline of events last Saturday morning made it more and more obvious Josh Kreutz’s job had changed.

At 9 a.m. CST, Illinois put out its league-mandated injury report that listed the third-year starting center as questionable. About 90 minutes before kickoff, Kreutz walked out of the visiting tunnel of . . .

 

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