Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Game Time Excuses & More
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular September 30, 2025 The […]
Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Game Time Excuses & More
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular September 30, 2025 The […]
Sturdy: Statement Win
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
September 29, 202
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Some might call it a statement win and others could call it a bounce-back win, but no matter what you call it the Illinois win over USC was a key win for the Illini as they are back to life following the debacle at Indiana. Let’s look back at what we saw:
-The offensive line was very good. They got push up front against a Defensive line that was an expensive off-season addition for USC. It opened up the running game which slowed the pass rush and allowed Luke Altmyer to find the receivers. They took advantage
IlliniGuys 2025 Week 5 Film Review vs. Southern California: When It’s Going Right For Illini O-Line, It’s Correct
The right side of the Illinois offensive line shined in the run game in a 34-32 victory over then-No. 21 Southern California.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 29, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It would’ve been easy for the Illinois coaching staff to do a number of things with the right side of its offensive line.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. and offensive line coach Bart Miller could’ve replaced either or both of right guard Brandon Henderson and/or right tackle Melvin Priestly. They could’ve reshuffled some personnel as both of those players have playing experience at guard and tackle. Illinois could have schemed it up where they primarily roll pass protection and running options toward the left side of the line (left guard Josh Gesky and left tackle J.C. Davis) where they felt more comfortable about bodies being moved.
All three of these men said no. Throughout the week, all three of these men told the outside criticism to trust they know their personnel, locker room and that they knew how to fix these issues with the current starters. And they were correct.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Brayden Parks, One of the Nation’s Top DL, Recaps Illinois Visit
By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst
September 29, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium, the Fighting Illini football program hosted a select group of visitors on campus. Among them was Brayden Parks, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive lineman from Brother Rice High School, who drew plenty of attention during his trip.
According to Rivals.com, Parks is a four-star recruit and ranked as the 10th-best prep player in Illinois. Still, his recruiting status may be underrated considering the national attention he’s been receiving.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Game Day Visit Brings Surprise Offer For Illinois Recruit Keysan Taylor
By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst
September 28, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Game day visits are often memorable for recruits, but today is extra special for one in-state prospect. Just before the 23rd-ranked Fighting Illini took the field against the 21st-ranked USC Trojans, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema delivered life-changing news to 2027 edge rusher Keysan Taylor.
“What a great day for me, sir,” Taylor said.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: One of Nation's Top Hoop Recruits Enjoys Illini Homecoming Weekend Visit
By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst
September 28, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - One of the nation’s most coveted basketball recruits, 6-foot-6, 185-pound four-star prospect Lucas Morillo of New Rochelle, New York, made his way to Champaign along with his family for an official visit during Illinois football’s Homecoming weekend.
The Big Apple prep standout, ranked No. 75 in the country according to ESPN, spoke with IlliniGuys about his time on campus.
“The visit has been really good, my favorite thing so far has been
No. 23 Illinois 34, No. 21 Southern California 32 - IlliniGuy Grades
IlliniGuys.com beat writer Matthew Stevens assesses the categories and overall aspect of the No. 23 Illini’s 34-32 win over Southern California.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 28. 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — About an hour before kickoff on Saturday morning, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema told FOX Sports sideline reporter Jenny Taft that “Big Ten physicality has to win the day”.
Following a 34-32 victory that included 32 designed run plays going for 170 yards on the ground, No. 23 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 in Big Ten Conference play) played to its strengths and, more importantly, its identity in a critical home win to bounce back from a 53-point defeat in its league opener with just a week of preparation.
Bret Bielema Gets His ‘I told you so’ Moment
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Illini WR Malik Elzy Leaves Football Program With Intent to Enter Transfer Portal
Former four-star signee Malik Elzy was taken off the roster by Illinois head coach Bret Bielema after his infomed coaches his intention to sit out remainder of 2025 season and preserve redshirt status.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 27, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Malik Elzy has played his final game for the University of Illinois football program.
After the third-year wide receiver’s name appeared as out on the Big Ten’s mandatory availability report two hours before Saturday’s kickoff against Southern California, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Elzy was removed from the roster.
BREAKING: #23 Illini Score Wild 34-32 Win Over Visiting 21st Ranked USC
By IlliniGuys Staff September 26, 2025 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - David […]
'I'm keeping my options open': 2026 Edge Navy Commit Ian Campbell Talks Illinois Unofficial Visit
By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 27, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Among the large convoy of visiting recruits in attendance for No. 23 Illinois’s
Homecoming bout against No. 21 USC, there was one player who stood out from the rest.
Ian Campbell, a three-star edge who is part of the Class of 2026, was on Zuppke Field at Gies Memorial Stadium for an unofficial visit. The reason his presence is interesting? Campbell is committed to play ball for Navy next fall.
Southern California Game Preview: No Offensive Line Starting Changes For Illini
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Thursday there will be no starting lineup changes for the offensive line after giving up seven sacks in a 63-10 loss at Indiana.
No. 21 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA at No. 23 ILLINOIS
Records: USC 4-0, 2-0 in Big Ten; Illinois 3-1, 0-1 in Big Ten
Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025: 11 a.m. CST, Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Ill.
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 60,670
Series notes: Southern California leads all-time series is tied at 11-2. Illinois and USC will meet for the first time since the 2008 Rose Bowl Game following the 2007 regular season. USC will be making its first visit to Champaign since 1996. The last win for Illinois came on Sept. 4, 1989 in a game that was originally supposed to be played in the Soviet Union where Illinois scored 14 points in the final five minutes to steal a 14-13 win in the Los Angeles Coliseum.
TV: FOX; Gus Johnson (play-by-play); Joel Klatt (color analyst) and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter)
Radio (Illinois): Brian Barnhart (play-by-play), Carey Davis (analyst), Michael Martin (sideline), and Steve Kelly (pre/half/post). The broadcast can be heard live on TuneIn online radio, SiriusXM 84, the SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com/live.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 27, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — On Illinois’ first offensive series of the afternoon on Saturday, the same five offensive line starters will jog on the field at Gies Memorial Stadium against the University of Southern California.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Thursday there will be no starting lineup changes for the offensive line after giving up seven sacks in a 63-10 loss at Indiana. From left to right, J.C. Davis, Josh Gesky, Josh Kreutz, Brandon Henderson and Melvin Priestly will again be charged with making the five-man cohesion work.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illini in Pursuit of Four-Star Adam Oumiddoch
By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst
September 26th, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Overtime Elite)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois associate head coach Orlando Antigua has played a major role in the recruitment of one of the nation’s top prospects, Adam Oumiddoch.
One of the many reasons Brad Underwood brought Antigua back to his staff was his strong recruiting connections and proven ability to land some of the nation’s top basketball recruits.
Oumiddoch, a 6-foot-6, 177-pound guard-wing from Arlington, Virginia, is a standout for Overtime Elite and a member of the Class of 2026. ESPN ranks him as the No. 35 prospect in the nation, and a four-star recruit will visit Illinois.
IlliniGuys caught up with Adam
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Big Weekend for Illini Men's Hoops
By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst
September 26, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Naperville Sun)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.- Big things are happening in Champaign this weekend. Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff will be on campus to cover the football game, and it’s also Homecoming as the No. 23 Illini host No. 21 USC at Gies Memorial Stadium.
While the football program will be in the national spotlight, Illinois men’s basketball is also making headlines. Brad Underwood and his staff are taking full advantage of the weekend atmosphere, hosting a number of high-profile recruits who will get an inside look at the program.
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