MURPH’S ‘MOTE: Local grads ready for conference play

Shaw Media sports copy editor Kevin Murphy picks his top sporting events to watch on TV this weekend with a spotlight on local graduates:

LOCALLY SPEAKING

College football: Eastern Michigan at Buffalo, 11 a.m. today, WPWR

Batavia graduate Cole Gardner is a redshirt freshman tight end for Eastern Michigan.

College football: Illinois at Nebraska, 11 a.m. today, ESPNU

St. Charles East graduate Tim Russell is the holder for the Illini this season. Russell, a walk-on, earned a scholarship before the start of this season.

Russell’s latest 2-point conversion came against Miami (Ohio) last week.

Illini coach Tim Beckman said in a news conference earlier this week it was a great pass from the former high school quarterback.

College football: Minnesota at Michigan, 2:30 p.m. today, ABC

Marmion’s Ryan Glasgow, Graham Glasgow and St. Francis’ Kyle Bosch look to keep the Wolverines undefeated.

According to a story by mlive.com, Graham Glasgow is a starter at left guard, but could move to center. Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Bosch could move into the left guard spot.

Women’s college volleyball: Illinois at Michigan, 6 p.m, today, BTN

St. Francis grad and Illinois setter McKenna Kelsay looks to help the Illini win a Big Ten Conference match at home.

St. Francis grad, St. Charles native and Michigan assistant coach Erin Virtue looks to help the Wolverines.

Women’s college soccer: Northwestern at Purdue, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, BTN

Kaneland graduate Jordan Ginther has seen time at starting and backup goalkeeper for the Boilermakers.

St. Charles North gradaute KK Barr has played in three matches this season for the Wildcats.

MUST-SEE TV

Pro hockey: Tampa Bay at Blackhawks, 7 p.m. today, CSN

Six goals in the opener for the Hawks? I’ll take that. I’d rather not see the other team score four goals every night. Is it too early to start counting down to when the Hawks can clinch the Presidents’ Trophy?

SET THE DVR

Pro football: Saints at Bears, noon, Sunday, Fox

This could be a shootout or this game with Drew Brees’ arm could get ugly, real quick. I’m not not saying the Bears won’t win, but the Saints are a lot better than Lions.

CATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS LATER

NBA: Preseason, Bulls at Indiana, 6 p.m. today, WGN

Yes, we all want to see Derrick Rose play. How long have we been saying that? I’m not getting my hopes up. I’ll wait to the regular season starts.

• Agree? Disagree? Is someone from the Kane County Chronicle coverage area going to be on TV? Let Kevin Murphy know at kmurphy@shawmedia.com.