Football Recruiting Spotlight on Brandon Hansen
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
November 24, 2022
The Illini under Coach Brett Bielema have had two themes in their recruiting so far: offensive linemen and home-state players.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Brandon Hansen
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
November 24, 2022
The Illini under Coach Brett Bielema have had two themes in their recruiting so far: offensive linemen and home-state players.
The Trench Report: Michigan
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
November 24, 2022
I'm sure all of Illini Nation is smarting after letting a win slip away on Saturday in the big house.
It's About That Time Again, the Transfer Portal Looms
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
November 23, 2022
Illinois has done very well recruiting the country to fill its roster.
From the Couch: A shot at Big Ten West title seemingly ripped away in “The Big House”
Illinois had its spirits dashed in the worst way Saturday, as the Orange and Blue fell in the final seconds on a game-winning field goal by Jake Moody, losing 19-17 to No. 3 Michigan and keeping the Wolverines’ Big Ten title hopes alive ahead of a colossal tilt with No. 2 Ohio State Thanksgiving weekend.
For about 45 minutes of game time, the reality of an Illini upset looked entirely possible. Once again, Illinois showed why its defensive unit continues to remain one of the best in the country, only holding the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines to one touchdown the entire game.
The team didn’t quit under pressure and fought until the last snap. Trailing 7-3 at halftime, the Illini made some adjustments to get the offense moving in the right direction. The score eventually became 10-10 midway through the third quarter, and along with it came several defensive stops, including TFLs from Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown, among others.
Of course, though, the Illini did what it does best. Chase Brown, the nation’s leading rusher, carried the team on his back, accounting for two scores and 140 rushing yards. Both touchdowns put Illinois in a position to win the game until, suddenly, disaster struck. With the Illini to a one-point lead, 17-16, and a minute left, a fourth down miscue by the referees led to an illegal pick play that extended Michigan’s drive, on top of a phantom catch that helped increase the Wolverine’s field position to make the winning field goal attempt that much easier.
Bret Bielema was visibly frustrated upon the game’s conclusion, giving an earful to the officials, and letting his presence be known that his team, whether the Big Ten likes it or not, was robbed of a top-five win in program history.
Now, Illinois will have to look past Saturday’s anguish and try to maintain the Land of Lincoln trophy for the second-straight year. Although Illinois has teetered to a 7-4 record (4-4 B1G), it still has an outside shot to win the Big Ten West if the following things happen Nov. 25 and 26 – Nebraska beats Iowa, Illinois beats Northwestern and Indiana beats Purdue. That would give Illinois the tiebreaker, given its home loss to the Boilermakers just two short weeks ago.
A win in Evanston on Saturday will give the Illini their best regular season finish since 2007, which was the last time the Orange and Blue reached the Rose Bowl.
Football Recruiting Spotlight on Brandon Henderson
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
November 23, 2022
Do you like having Julian Pearl on the team? I sure do.
The Farrell Report - 2024 Will See the True Benefits of a Successful 2022 Season
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
November 23, 2022
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
The Illini have a start on the 2024 class which is where I believe they will see the true benefits of a surprising season.
Bret Bielema Done Talking & Submitting Plays With Big Ten Officiating Reps
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema decided it was no longer productive to talk with or submit plays to the Big Ten Conference director of officiating Bill Carollo.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
November 22, 2022
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- While also having a lot of personal items on his calendar this weekend, Bret Bielema has decided to stop his dialogue with the Big Ten Conference office about on-field officiating.
Brandon Hansen Becomes Illini's 1st Commit in 2024 Class
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting
November 22nd, 2022
Brandon Hansen is a 6-6, 290-pound OT from Mundelein who made his mark late Tuesday afternoon by becoming the first player from the class of 2024 to commit to Illinois.
Hansen's decision, which he made via Twitter, comes just a few weeks after he was on campus to watch the Fighting Illini take on Michigan State.
It's Thanksgiving time, Which Means Holiday Basketball Tournaments
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
November 22, 2022
The state of Illinois high school athletics prides themselves in producing some of the nation's best basketball. The state is so rich that they are able to attract teams from other states. One in Bloomington, Illinois, in December is the biggest in the United States.
“You want Chase Brown to have a chance to impact the game”: Illini OC Explains His End-Game Thinking at Michigan
Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. said the play-calling in the final full drive at Michigan while the Illini were trying to ice away the game at No. 3 Michigan was called according to his plan.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
November 22, 2022
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Leading 17-16 with just over two minutes left, Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. spoke to his boss on the headset about the philosophy and an agreement was easily found.
Illini Women’s Hoops Start 5-0 For First Time Since 2014-15
In a 29-point blowout of Oakland, Illinois started a women’s basketball season with a perfect 5-0 record.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
November 21, 2022
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois’ first-year head coach wanted quickly to point out that all blowout wins aren’t evaluated the same way.
How Chase Brown Went From Thinking ‘I broke my ankle’ to Running Over Michigan’s Defense
Illinois tailback Chase Brown entered and exited Michigan Stadium in a walking boot but everything in between showed why he’s the nation’s leading rusher.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
November 21, 2022
Ann Arbor, Mich. -- A few hours before having one of the most impressive games of his Illinois career, Chase Brown says he arrived at Michigan Stadium not entirely sure he’d be able to play.
Brown was one of the first Illinois players out of the stadium tunnel for pre-game warmups on Saturday and following the 19-17 loss to No. 3 Michigan, the junior tailback told reporters that was the final moment he knew he’d be physically capable of facing the Wolverines.
The Farrell Report - Effects of Michigan Loss
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert
November 21, 2022
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
Welp, another loss for the Illini and this one stings.
Sturdy's Illini Basketball Takeaways - Virginia Postgame Edition
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
November 20, 2022
The Illini played a high-level game on Sunday against a veteran Virginia squad and although they showed glimpses,
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