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By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Okay, the preseason is over. The 2023 season for Illinois begins now. 

Yes, I know Illinois has played four games throughout the month of September but they might as well have been preseason contests because none of the goals inside the Smith Family Football Complex have yet to be challenged in any way.

The losses at Kansas and to No. 7 Penn State are practically irrelevant to the goals this program set out to achieve.

By IlliniGuys Staff (Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics) CHAMPAIGN, […]

September 23, 2023 The Illini host 1-2 FAU today […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

September 23, 2023

The Illinois men's basketball program will host two official visitors this weekend: committed Yorkville, Ill., center Jason Jakstys and Point Reyes, Calif., guard Jase Butler.

Illinois near the bottom in nearly every statistical category that Bielema has valued throughout his 15-year head coaching career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 23, 2023

Florida Atlantic at Illinois

Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, Memorial Stadium 

Surface: Field Turf 

Capacity: 60,670

Records: Illinois 1-2; Florida Atlantic 1-2

Betting Line: Illinois 15.5

Series notes: Illinois and FAU will meet for the first time on Saturday.

TV: Big Ten Network; Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play), Howard Griffith (analyst), and Justine Ward (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 (158/196), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

Champaign, IL — The formula to decipher Illinois’ lackluster start to the 2023 season is one Bret Bielema was given to him 31 years ago at Iowa from his Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry. 

(Editor's Note: Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears each week on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show https://illiniguys.com/radio/)

September 22, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Larry Smith: Let's go inside the locker room now and joining us now the "IlliniGuy" -- presented by HX Home Solutions -- Gabe Jacas.  Talk to us about the feeling in the locker room coming off last week's game. No question better execution, even though you didn't get the "W".

Gabe Jacas:  Yeah, obviously we didn't get the W but from a defensive standpoint, I think we played our best game yet. Obviously, we gave up 30 points, but in the first half it was 16-7 and we're getting three and outs. You know, they weren't converting on third downs. I think we were playing as one as a group. I think we did some good things on some points of the game, but we definitely could have been better of course.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 22, 2023

Recently four-star outside linebacker Justin Hill made the trip to Illinois. The Fighting Illini will have its hands full trying to lure Hill in for a commitment, but getting the Ohio prep on campus is just what the staff needs.

By Brad Sturdy - Illini Insider/Analyst & Co-Host of IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

September 22, 2023

It’s time for the weekly Hoop Du Jour at IlliniGuys and this week we look at visitors, visits and breakdown Illinois 5th year Senior Guard Justin Harmon. 

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

September 22, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about how the Mississippi State beat down by LSU helps Illinois, another committed visitor coming and give my thoughts on the Big Ten headed into the weekend.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 21, 2023

Illinois offensive tackle Tommy Lamberti recaps his visit with IlliniGuys about the program and where things stand with his recruitment.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema pointed to redshirt freshman wide receiver Ashton Hollins as somebody who could see a bigger role on Saturday vs. Florida Atlantic. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 21, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked Thursday about some of the youthful players that got more snaps of playing time against Penn State last weekend, one name was on Bret Bielema’s mind. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 21, 2023

The Illinois men's basketball team was given a bit of a surprise Wednesday afternoon, when it made social media late that four-star guard Mikey Lewis canceled his visit to LSU this weekend.

September 21, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Associated Press) Better […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 21, 2023

Illinois football fans, a name to add to your memory bank is Lincoln-Way East High, Ill., 6-foot-4, 2026 defensive end Jacob Alexander. He recaps his visit to Illinois and what his thoughts were on his unofficial visit this past weekend. 

Illinois offensive coaches are hoping more continuity in practice with this offensive line reshuffle will result in better performance starting with Florida Atlantic.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 20, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Two days of full practice. 

Before practice last Wednesday morning prior to facing No. 7 Penn State, Illinois coaches made the change of Isaiah Adams to right tackle, Zy Crisler at right guard and the combination of Josh Gesky and Jordyn Slaughter at left guard, an established alteration to the lineup for the final two days of full-contact practices. This means prior to facing one of the most aggressive and active pass rushers in the Big Ten Conference, Illinois elected to have just two days of full-contact practice before permanently reshuffling its offensive line from its lineup of the first two games.