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Illini, Shauna Green Agree To New Six-Year Deal

Illini, Shauna Green Agree To New Six-Year Deal

From Illinois Sports Information Office October 24, 2024   […]

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Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Believe in Bielema, Good Thing the Super League Looks Dead & B1G Team Tiers

Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Believe in Bielema, Good Thing the Super League Looks Dead & B1G Team Tiers

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

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Illini Coach Thinks Humrichous

Illini Coach Thinks Humrichous "Can Be Special for Us"

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 24, 2024

Champaign, IL – Illinois assistant men's basketball coach Geoff Alexander has been instrumental in scouting overseas talent for the program. However, he may have also found one of the most prolific scorers on the Illinois roster domestically.

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Illini Film Review: No. 22 Illinois 21, No. 24 Michigan 7 - No Playbook, No Problem For Illini Defense

Illini Film Review: No. 22 Illinois 21, No. 24 Michigan 7 - No Playbook, No Problem For Illini Defense

IlliniGuys.com discusses what changed from the second half performance vs. Purdue to the next week vs. Michigan and other unique situations after reviewing the 21-7 win over the Wolverines.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 23, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While it has been only 663 days since Aaron Henry was officially named the defensive coordinator and play-caller at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and it’s a safe bet the lessons will continue to keep coming.

The takeaway from Henry after reviewing what he and his defensive staff executed during the open week following loss at Penn State is they found themselves doing the one thing Henry’s boss attempts to remind each staff member and player that comes through the Smith Family Football Complex.

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NBA Scouts Buzzing About Illini Talent

NBA Scouts Buzzing About Illini Talent

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 23, 2024

Over the years, I've developed solid relationships with a few NBA scouts. One of them attended an Illinois practice for the first time Saturday morning and understood what the buzz is all about.

He said scouts are texting each other, saying "You have to see an Illinois practice."

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Rising 2026 QB & Another Possible Flip

The Farrell Files Illinois - Rising 2026 QB & Another Possible Flip

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

October 22, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a 2026 QB rising on the board, an update on 4-star Colorado DB commit Alex Graham after his visit and another potential flip.

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Around The Big Ten - October 22nd

Around The Big Ten - October 22nd

October 22, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Yahoo Sports)

Here's a look at some of the top headlines around the Big Ten:

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All in a Non-Look: Why Gabe Jacas Knew Michigan’s Offensive Tackles Couldn’t Handle Him

All in a Non-Look: Why Gabe Jacas Knew Michigan’s Offensive Tackles Couldn’t Handle Him

Illinois third year outside linebacker Gabe Jacas knew Saturday would be special when Michigan offensive tackle Jeffrey Persi wouldn’t look the Illini pass rusher in the eye. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 22, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In all likelihood Gabe Jacas knew the kind of game he was going to play on Saturday long before any of the sold-out crowd and his teammates. 

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Illinois Football Lands UNC Tight End Commit

Illinois Football Lands UNC Tight End Commit

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 21, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Il. – The Illinois football program continues to build momentum, not just on the field, but on the recruiting front as well.

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Fake Punt Earns Illinois the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week

Fake Punt Earns Illinois the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week

October 21, 2024 DALLAS (FWAA) – Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts […]

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Bret Bielema talks Oregon matchup

Bret Bielema talks Oregon matchup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIbZEY9TP0    

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The Trench Report: Michigan

The Trench Report: Michigan

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 21, 2024

This really feels like a turning point, doesn't it? Illinois just won its third straight sellout game after losing the last eight. They did it by beating Michigan for the first time in 15 years.

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Illini Leading Rusher Kaden Feagin Out For Season After Having Hip Surgery 

Illini Leading Rusher Kaden Feagin Out For Season After Having Hip Surgery 

Illinois sophomore tailback Kaden Feagin will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing hip surgery following a practice injury nearly two weeks ago. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 20, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Kaden Feagin’s 2024 season is over. 

After suffering a injury in practice just days before the 50-49 overtime victory over Purdue on Oct. 12, the leading rusher at Illinois had surgery on his left hip Friday that will require several months of rehabilitation. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said the former four-star prospect and starting tailback on the Illini depth chart was told by the doctor, selected for the procedure after a consultation of the University of Illinois athletics department, Bielema and Feagin’s family, and Feagin’s mother Jennifer Feagin, that the procedure was successful. 

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‘I told our guys I’m battling some demons’: Bielema Overcomes Extra Emotion of Michigan Week

‘I told our guys I’m battling some demons’: Bielema Overcomes Extra Emotion of Michigan Week

The week of his team playing Michigan is always going to be challenging for Bret Bielema but Saturday allowed him to address why that opponent conjures difficult memories in his life.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 20, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Unfortunately for Bret Bielema, the winged helmet of Michigan triggers things emotionally in the 54-year-old man that he’d rather not think about. 

Instead of ignoring or trying to hide his emotions of what playing the Wolverines program psychological means to his life, the fourth-year Ilinois head coach elected to address the matter directly in a team meeting. 

“In our first team meeting on Sunday, I told our guys that I’m battling some demons like probably more than you could ever possibly imagine,” Bielema said.

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Bielema’s Keys of Run The Ball, Stop The Ball & Cover Kicks Beats Michigan

Bielema’s Keys of Run The Ball, Stop The Ball & Cover Kicks Beats Michigan

The program philosophy of Illinois fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema was never more on display more than Saturday during the 21-7 victory over Michigan. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 19, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema believes the domination by Illinois over the defending national champions, a two-time Big Ten Conference champion and perennial physical bully started months ago. 

In a 21-7 victory over Michigan, Illinois exemplified Bielema’s three keys for every football team in a way that was obvious. 

Key No. 1 - Run the ball. Illinois (6-1, 3-1 in Big Ten Conference), which arrived at a sold-out Champaign’s Memorial Saturday as the 12th best rushing attack in the league, had 172 rushing yards through three quarters of action on a Michigan defense that had allowed 150 on the ground to two teams in the last two years. And the name of those programs are Alabama and Penn State. 

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