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(Editor's note - Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show each week, presented by HX Home Solutions)

Larry Smith - Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas joins us each week presented by HX Home Solutions.  Gabe, I know don't want to talk about former Illini defensive coordinator and current Purdue head coach Ryan Walters going into this game, but this has got to be a little extra umph. To go up against the guy who used to be your boss.

Gabe Jacas - Yeah, like everyone wants to talk about it. But you know, in my head, like, we're not playing the coaches, we're playing the players. So just want to keep that in mind. I'm not trying to make this game personal. You know, I think Ryan Walters is an incredible coach. A great person, so just want to leave that nonsense out and just play football, one of the things I love to do.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 29, 2023

Illinois hosted several recruiting targets recently, and one that went unnoticed could be a great catch if Illinois could land the Milwaukee recruit. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

September 29, 2023

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll share what I’m hearing on a couple of committed players Bret Bielema is targeting and give my weekly Big Ten thoughts.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirms Reggie Love was participating in half of Wednesday’s practice and was intentionally sat out of Thursday’s practice session. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 28, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The starting tailback for Illinois has apparently shown enough this week in practice that Bret Bielema likes where his health status currently sits for this weekend.

Bielema confirmed to local media on Thursday that Reggie Love III, who missed most of the second half of the 23-17 victory over Florida Atlantic this past Saturday with an undisclosed injury, participated in approximately half of the team’s Wednesday practice. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 28, 2023

Indiana athlete Grayson Hurley visits Illinois, and, like most potential recruits, came away in awe of the football experience on GameDay. 

No matter where he lines up at Illinois, Kenenna Odeluga is proving his coaches correct in signing him and now giving him more and more playing time. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 27, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Kenenna Odeluga is a player where his position listed on the roster doesn’t do him justice to describe his value.

The roster, which is provided by the University of Illinois athletics department, lists the South Holland, Ill. native as a linebacker but Illini head coach Bret Bielema thinks it's much simpler and more complicated at the same time. 

September 27, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Testudo Times) What […]

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

September 27, 2023

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll provide a rumor about QB commit Trey Petty and also have a couple updates on some 2025 prospects to keep an eye on.

The two sidelines at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday will feature folks who still consider themselves good friends but will face off for the first time since Ryan Walters left Illinois for Purdue’s head coaching position. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 26, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It was 644 days ago when three University of Illinois football assistant coaches sat courtside at Scottrade Center for the annual Braggin’ Rights men’s basketball decked out in orange and blue. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 26, 2023

Monday afternoon, I decided to take a ride to Peoria, Illinois (Que For You Barbeque Restaurant), where the announcement was taking place for All-State guard Aaliyah Guyton, who was making her college destination. With what I knew of this recruitment, I felt it was a two-team race between the Illini and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 26, 2023

Illinois big man Jason Jakstys recaps his official visit from the Illini. The IlliniGuys caught up with Jason to get the latest on his time spent with future teammates.

After having challenges with his head coach nearly every step of the way at Ole Miss, Luke Altmyer found his new head coach at Illinois to be a reason for his bounceback performance. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 25, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Even after a four interception performance against Penn State, it seemed like Bret Bielema wanted to handle Luke Altmyer the exact opposite way he experienced head coaching behavior at his previous stop. 

The Illini third-year head coach, while sitting down at his house next to his wife Jen watching evening college football games that night, wanted to place a phone call to Altmyer to start the confidence building of his quarterback immediately. 

Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) rebounded from the Penn State debacle to put together his best game as a collegian against Florida Atlanta on Saturday (photo courtesy Illinois Athletics).

“I didn’t want him to go to bed worried about being the starting quarterback,” Bielema said following the game on Saturday. “I was putting my daughters to bed and watching a little college football…and I didn’t want him to put his head on the pillow that night thinking ‘where am I at with my coaches here?’”

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 25, 2023

Raise your hand if you're happy with Illini football right now?  No one?  I understand.  I really do. The Illini are 2-2 and have had all too close results against their two "easy" opponents. However, it's not quite as bad as you'd think.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

September 25, 2023

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll update on a couple of key 2025 targets and break down the Illinois RB class vs the rest of the Big Ten.