Game Preview - How Ryan Walters Secured Hudson Card’s Commitment By Being His Uber Driver From Champaign to West Lafayette
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.
Exclusive: Gabe Jacas Takes On Questions From IlliniGuys Members, Presented By HX Home Solutions
(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.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jamarion Batemon
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.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Recruiting Swerves
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.
Illini Coaches “Feeling Pretty Good” With Reggie Love’s Health For Saturday at Purdue
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.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Grayson Hurley
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.
‘Give me a thousand Kenenna’s’: Illini’s Odelunga Proving To Be Weapon At Multiple Positions
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.
Around The Big Ten - September 27th
September 27, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Testudo Times) What […]
The Farrell Files Illinois - Petty and 2025 Prospects
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.
Friendly Rivalry Between Illini & Boilermakers Staffs Finally Hits Saturday
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.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - More Than Reports Say
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.
Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Improvements Required
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jason Jakstys
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.
Bielema’s Saturday Night Call to Luke Altmyer - “I didn’t want him to go to bed Saturday worried about being the starting QB”
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?’”
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