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Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. says the consistency issues amongst the offensive side of the ball are his responsibility and will not be micromanaged by his boss. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 3, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Barry Lunney Jr. believes the main problem with the Illinois offense can be found in his official job title. 

Five games into his second season as the offensive coordinator of the University of Illinois football program, Lunney is noticing the organization simply isn’t there on game day. 

“At the end of the day, it falls on me because I’m the coordinator and it’s my job to coordinate the offense and at times, we looked uncoordinated,” Lunney said. “That’s obviously frustrating and disappointing where there are moments where we just don’t look tightened up.”

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

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 2, 2023

The Illinois men's basketball team has been somewhat quiet on the recruiting front in terms of commitments. Early in May, several Illinois coaches identified combo guard Jase Butler from Point Reyes Station, Calif. 

Following the 44-19 loss at Purdue, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his veteran leaders said Sunday’s meetings inside the Smith Center need to be awkward, intense and a bit excruciating mentally and emotionally. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 2, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Any light feelings needed to be checked at the front door of the Smith Family Football Center building on Sunday morning. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

Cover Photo courtesy of Purdue Athletics

October 2, 2023

Well, that was ugly. No one who wears orange and blue was happy to watch that game on Saturday, and worse still, it was the type of loss that can set a tone for the rest of the season as Illinois seemed to accept the beating as the second half wore on.

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

October 2, 2023

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

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters took over defensive play-calling duties but also utilized a system that worked for him and Kevin Kane when they were both at Illinois last year to keep the pressure on Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 1, 2023

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Ryan Walters came into Saturday with a mission.

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

October 1, 2023

The Illini were embarrassed on Saturday in West Lafayette by a 44-19 score that showed all of the flaws of the Illini offense and defense and shocked Illini fans. Ryan Walters got the better of Bret Bielema in their first head to head meeting since Walters took over at Purdue and the Illini will need to figure things out quickly before Nebraska comes to town on Friday night. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema not only lost to his former coordinator Ryan Walters but lost big in just the fifth career game for Purdue’s new leader and Bielema’s newest big problem. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 30, 2023

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Welcome to the worst-case scenario for Bret Bielema’s tenure at Illinois. 

There’re no public relations washing that will eliminate the stain and stench of what occurred over 60 minutes of action in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. 

By IlliniGuys Staff

September 30, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue scored three touchdowns in the 3rd quarter while its defense baffled Illinois into five quarterback sacks and just one second half score to post a dominating 44-19 victory in the first Big Ten West division game for both teams.

Illinois (2-3, 0-2) came into the weekend hoping to erase the inconsistent play that plagued them in their first four contests, but found themselves again playing catchup after halftime against the defending division champs who had won just one of their first four games under new head coach Ryan Walters.  The 19 points allowed mark a season-low for the Purdue defense.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 30, 2023

 The Illinois women's basketball team caught the country by surprise last season. It broke several school records last year, a surprise roster that was able to compete with a rugged Big Ten schedule. 

September 30, 2023 The Illini visit 1-3 Purdue for […]

After Hudson Card’s official visit at Illinois concluded, new Purdue head coach Ryan Walters decided to pick up the transfer portal quarterback at his old employer.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 30, 2023

Illinois at Purdue

Date/Time/Place: Friday, Sept. 30, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.

Surface: Natural Grass

Capacity: 57,282

Records: Illinois 2-2, 0-1 in Big Ten; Purdue 1-3, 0-1 in Big Ten

Betting Line: Even

Series notes: Purdue leads all-time series 47-45-6. Purdue has won the last three matchups and Illini head coach Bret Bielema was 5-0 all-time against Purdue before arriving in Champaign but has now lost two in a row.

TV: Big Ten Network; Brendan Burke (play-by-play), Michael Robinson (analyst), and Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter).

Radio (Illinois): Brian Barnhart (PBP), Martin O'Donnell (analysis), Michael Martin (sidelines) & Steve Kelly (Pre/HT/Post) » The broadcast can be heard live on TuneIn online radio, SiriusXM (381), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

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When asked about the most memorable thing about his official visit to Illinois while in the transfer portal, Hudson Card was absolutely honest. 

(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.