Sturdy's Soliloquy - Kansas Rewind
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio
September 10, 2023
The Illini took one on the chin in Lawrence on Friday night, falling to the Jayhawks 34-23. It was not as close as the final score. Kansas dominated the Illini on both sides of the ball as the Illini fell to 1-1 with #7 Penn State coming to town next weekend. Here’s a look back, starting with some positives.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Terrence Smith
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
September 9, 2023
If you know one thing about the Illinois football staff, they could care less what your state rankings are or your national rankings.
Bielema Promises Major Evaluation Overhaul of Illini Defense
After two weeks of poor starts to games, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema declares the Illini staff must look at “some things schematically” to fix critical errors in the defense.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 9, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)
LAWRENCE, Kan. — If you believe the words of the third-year head coach at the University of Illinois, a critical damage assessment is coming for the defensive unit.
Following back-to-back weeks of poor starts to games against Toledo and in the 34-23 loss at Kansas just six days later, Bret Bielema has come to the instant conclusion about his defense that “some things schematically we're going to have to take a really close look at”.
Time To Panic? - Illini Produce Arguably Most Uncompetitive Result in Bielema Era
After two weeks of the 2023 season and a Top 10 opponent coming to Champaign next, the level of concern around Bret Bielema should be at an all-time high.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 8, 2023
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The cliche being stated all everywhere they play football in the United States of America is that the most improvement in a season comes from game one to game two. Illinois managed to disprove that theory in a big way Friday night. In its first road test of the 2023 season, Illinois was dominated on both sides of the ball, committed terribly undisciplined penalties and looked lost in the 34-23 loss, which was the most uncompetitive result since Bret Bielema took over the Illini program.
4th Quarter Rally Falls Short As Illini Lose At Kansas
By IlliniGuys Staff September 8, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]
IlliniGuys Exclusive: Gabe Jacas Looks Ahead To Kansas - Presented by HX Home Solutions
(Editor's note: Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears each week on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular radio show https://illiniguys.com/radio/ each week. Listen to this week's show for the entire interview.)
September 8, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Larry Smith - We're talking with the OTHER IlliniGuy - Gabe Jacas - prior to the Illinois-Kansas game. Gabe and the IlliniGuys brought to you by HX Home Solutions. Gabe, let's talk first and get your thoughts on the Toledo game last week? You get the win, but a lot to work on this week.
Gabe Jacas - Yeah. Good game. Definitely a lot to improve on. Definitely. Defense could have played better, but you know, luckily offense did their job, you know. Both sides of the ball, played complimentary football, and we just finished out on top. You know, Casey (Washington) makes a big play to win the game. And Myles Scott, the interception definitely changed the momentum of the game. So that was a good thing for that for that team win.
Game Preview: Bielema & Leipold Linked For Two Decades & For One Strange Dec. 2020 Evening
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 8, 2023
Illinois at Kansas
Date/Time/Place: Friday, Sept. 7, 2023: 6:30 p.m. CST, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 47,233
Records: Illinois 1-0; Kansas 1-0
Betting Line: Kansas by 3
Series notes: Illinois leads all-time series 3-2. Kansas and Illinois are set to meet for the first since 1968.
TV: ESPN2; Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
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 (138/196), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Amar Reynolds Evaluation & Kansas Preview
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
September 8, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll give my thoughts on Big Ten week one, I’ll take a quick look at the Kansas matchup and rank DB commit Amar Reynolds vs the industry.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jershaun Newton
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
September 7, 2023
In early September we introduced to you the younger brother of Illinois All-American Jer'Zhan Newton, Jershaun Newton, an outstanding signal caller for Clearwater Central Catholic.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dezhon Hall
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
September 7, 2023
The Illinois men's basketball team had one of the best point guards of the class of 2026 on campus this past weekend.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Aaliyah Guyton
Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
September 6, 2023
Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green and her staff have put in a lot of work to recruit Peoria 2024 point guard Aaliyah Guyton for two years.
Bielema: CB Tyler Strain Out of Concussion Protocol, Back at Practice & Expected to Play Friday at Kansas
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stated sophomore defensive back Tyler Strain was active at practice Wednesday and is expected to play at Kansas on Friday night (6:30 p.m. CST, ESPN2).
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 6, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema says both of his starting cornerbacks will be active for the Illini’s road opener on Friday night.
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