The Trench Report: Toledo
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst
September 4, 2023
Cover photo courtesy Steve Snider, IlliniGuys
I'm sorry to report that my second and third watching of the line play from the Illini in the opening week's win against Toledo was no better than what you all saw live on Saturday night.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jenica Raine-Lewis
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
September 4, 2023
Illinois women's basketball program is starting to offer more high-profile targets to keep building its program.
Illini Film Review - Illinois 30, Toledo 28 - Lunney’s On-Script & Off-Script Moments; Defense Loses Outside Containment & Snap Counts
Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. found a script to give Luke Altmyer confidence but couldn’t find consistency off-script in the run game.
Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 3, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. puts an extreme amount of time into his script of predetermined play calls that he showcases at the beginning of games.
Sturdy's Toledo Rewind
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst
September 3, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Steve Snider)
Luke A can sling it……the Illini have a QB that can really throw the ball. Outside of one poor decision, I’m not sure he could have played much better in his opening game as an Illini. The ball was repeatedly on target and found the hands of his receivers. He also found favorable matchups and stood up and threw into the face of some big hits. He can run too, but I’m not sure if his body will hold up if they run him too much. But the Illini need to get the running game going.
In Luke We Trust: Altmyer’s Emotional Debut Moment in Champaign Was a Success
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 3, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Luke Altmyer can't ever honestly comment on what he saw on the 4th-and-4 prayer of a pass once the football left his right hand on a game-saving 34-yard completion.
The Illinois quarterback didn’t actually see Casey Washington come up with the floater of the pass with about two minutes remaining. It was a moment where he had to just hear it.
With every member of the Illinois program staring down a 28-27 deficit and preparing to embrace what would’ve likely been the biggest momentum halt of the Bret Bielema era, Altmyer sent up what he called a prayer to his trusted senior wide receiver. With Toledo defensive end Terrance Taylor taking the Illini quarterback to the turf, Altmyer had to rely on most of the announced crowd of 48,898 to realize his prayer was answered.
“I didn’t see much,” Altmyer said with a smile.
Post-Game Column: Embrace Bielema’s Ugly Ball
The formula for wins in a Bret Bielema administration is clear and regardless of everybody else philosophy in the current era of college football, the Illini aren’t changing - and shouldn’t.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 2, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Steve Snider/IlliniGuys)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It’s past time to embrace Bret Bielema’s Football 101 class at the University of Illinois.
Rushing yards - rushing yards allowed + defensive quarterback pressures multiplied by the turnover margin divided by unforced penalties and special teams errors = win.
The 30-28 season-opening win over defending Mid-American Conference champion Toledo that was in doubt until the final seconds wasn’t filled with as many highlight-worthy plays until the huge Luke Altmyer-Casey Washington 4th down pitch and catch to keep the game-winning drive alive. Nobody on the home sideline cared one bit including the program’s third-year head coach. Purdue had a bunch of highlights earlier on Saturday and 8.5 yards per passing attempt in its 39-35 home loss to Fresno State. Anybody think Ryan Walters is having a lot of fun in West Lafayette right now? Didn’t think so.
Bret Bielema is having a good time in Champaign playing complimentary football with a scientific procedure you don’t need a calculator, protractor or microscope to complete.
Illini Survive Scare With 30-28 Opening Night Win Over Toledo
By IlliniGuys Staff September 2, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]
How Jim Leonhard’s “witness protection program” Analyst Role Can Help Illinois
Jim Leonhard has completed his first game week as an Illinois senior football analyst and IlliniGuys.com looks at what he might do and can do to help Bret Bielema’s program.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
Cover photo courtesy Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
September 2, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — At the point this piece is published, Jim Leonhard has already started his first three-day weekend in Madison, Wisconsin following his first game week as a University of Illinois employee.
IlliniGuys Game Predictions vs Toledo
September 2, 2023 The Illini open against a defending […]
Game Preview - Bush Starts at Strong Safety
Bush will start at strong safety Saturday in Illinois’ season opener Saturday night vs. Toledo, marking the 23-year-old’s 35th career start at the college level.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 2, 2023
Toledo at Illinois
Brad Sturdy's Hoop Du Jour
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio
September 1, 2023
The Illini football team kicks off on Saturday against Toledo. I’m predicting a 27-17 win for the Illini over defending MAC champions Toledo as they open the 3rd season of the Bret Bielema, but it’s always basketball season here at IlliniGuys so every week we will look at the hoops visitors and breakdown what’s going on with the team heading into the weekend.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Illini Basketball 2025 Offers
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
September 1, 2023
We are in the year 2023, but the Fighting Illini men's basketball team has put together a massive list of offers for the class of 2025.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Big Ten DB Rankings and Trey Petty Update
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
September 1, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois,
Getting To Know The Toledo Rockets
(Editor's Note: IlliniGuy Mike Cagley talked with Kyle Roland […]
Bielema Reveals Illini OL & Safety Starters vs. Toledo
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed the winners of the two preseason camp positional battles less than 48 hours before the 2023 season opener vs. Toledo.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
August 31, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The final starting positional battles have become set for Illinois’ season opener this weekend.
Following his team’s practice session on Thursday afternoon, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed two offensive and two defensive starters for the game Saturday against Toledo (6:30 p.m. CST, Big Ten Network).
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