CHAMPAIGN — Early in Illinois' Friday morning football practice, a selection of Aretha Franklin songs played on the speakers.
The "Queen of Soul" passed away Thursday after a battle with cancer.
Illinois coach Lovie Smith is a big Franklin fan.
"I'm still in mourning," Smith said. "Just one of the all-time greats. It's not the same without her around."
The team worked on the turf inside Memorial Stadium after the Campus Rec Fields were too wet.
"If we're here that would be the reason," Smith said. "It rained quite a bit."
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Thursday's closed practice was actually canceled.