Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Blayne Sisson
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
November 24, 2023
The Illinois football program is starting to build its depth with quality scholarship players, but now their preferred walk-on room is starting to grow as well.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Joey Slackman
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
November 24, 2023
Transfer portal season is about to heat up!
No. 16 Iowa 15, Illinois 13 - Illini Film Review - ‘It’s my fault’: How Clayton Bush is Wrong Blaming Just Himself For the Iowa TD Run
Illinois safety Clayton Bush wants you to believe Iowa’s game-winning 30-yard touchdown run is his responsibility to fill up but Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry knows that’s not entirely true.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
November 23, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
The word that comes to mind with all the coaches inside the Smith Family Football Complex when discussing Clayton Bush is accountability.
The graduate transfer safety from Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois said in August before the beginning of the 2023 season that he was looking for a “a coaching staff with no bullcrap to tell me the truth and hold me accountable for how things are done” and the 23-year-old certainly did that when he met with local media following the 15-13 loss to No. 16 Iowa on Saturday.
“It’s my fault. I missed my gap,” Bush said following a game where he had eight tackles and according to Pro Football Focus data three ‘stops’ which are described as the player for why the play was a failure for the offense. “Iowa is a program that does things the correct way so often that they feast on when you mess up. Well, I messed up and it cost us.”
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Top 10 for Fears
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
November 23, 2023
Illini basketball recruit Jeremiah Fears trimmed his long list of schools to 10. Not totally shocked but the Fighting Illini made that cut.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Joshua Lewis
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
November 22, 2023
The Illinois men's basketball team is starting to embark on the class of 2025. Assistant coach Geoff Alexander appears to be excited at the direction of the Illinois program, especially next year's class, and he is confident with the in-roads they have made over the past several years.
Illini Law Firm of Newton & Randolph Over After Saturday’s Regular Season Finale
Illinois defensive linemen Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph confirm Saturday’s regular season finale vs. Northwestern will be the last time Illini fans will see them on the field together.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
November 22, 2023
CHAMPAIGN — Saturday will be the final collegiate home game for Illinois defensive linemen Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph.
“He’s handled it very well”: Bielema Remains Committed to Illini DC Aaron Henry
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema says he’s looking forward to seeing how Aaron Henry progresses as Henry completes his first season as a defensive coordinator.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
November 21, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema doesn’t want to hear anymore second guessing of his defensive coordinator promotion of Aaron Henry.
The third-year head coach of the Illinois football program said Monday he saw similar qualities in the 34-year-old that led Henry to be part of a long line of in-house promotions who have experienced their first year of being a defensive coordinator under Bielema’s watch. With one game remaining of the 2023 regular season, the confidence from Bielema hasn’t wavered and, in fact, the leader of the Illini program says he still sees signs of progress and development.
“This is life in our conference”: Bielema & Illini Staff Reject Any Notion of Late-Game Conservative Play-Calling
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema vehemently disagrees he directs a conservative late-game philosophy on either side of the ball citing Illini’s 5-2 record in one-possession games in 2023.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
November 21, 2023
CHAMPAIGN — Unless you want the conversation to be short and unpleasant, it’s not recommended anybody speak inside the Smith Family Football Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign about being conservative late in games.
Sturdy's Southern U Rewind - the Illini Cruise
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio
November 20, 2023
The Illini cruised to an 88-60 win over Southern on Sunday night behind another stellar performance from Terrence Shannon, who scored 24 points to lead the way, and the Illini dominated the glass on their way to a 4-1 mark on the season. Dain Dainja had 12 points and Quincy Guerrier had 10, but it was a pair of Freshmen that excited the Illini fanbase. Nico Moretti was a +20 in 13 minutes of first half play before a foot injury sidelined him after a 4 point, 3 rebound and 3 assist half, while Amani Hansberry played 22 minutes and had 8 points and 7 rebounds. It was refreshing to see Freshmen showcase their talents now as the Illini try to develop their depth and put the right players in the right roles.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Aaron Ball Commits to Illini FB
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting November 20, 2023 […]
The Trench Report: Iowa
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst
November 20, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
Football is a game of adjustments, and while most went the Illini's way on Saturday, the Hawkeyes made the last one and it paralyzed the Illini offense at the worst possible time. However, I'm starting this week's Trench Report with a play that turned out to be the difference in the game.
Iowa only brings four on this 3rd and 12 play from the 5 yard line. They're playing conservatively and seemingly happy to ensure a punt. However,
Illini Head To Holiday Break After Rolling Past Southern
By IlliniGuys Staff November 19, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Illini MB Preview - Southern at Illinois
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio
November 19, 2023
The 3-1 Fighting Illini will take on the Southern Jaguars on Sunday evening at 7 PM as they continue to grow and get connected as a team heading into the meat of their schedule. The Illini took care of business against Valparaiso in the second half and will need to play a bit better in this one as Southern has shown the ability to raise their game, having already upset UNLV before falling to Western Illinois on Friday.
Setting the Stage
#23 Illinois (3-1) vs. Southern (1-3)
Nov. 19, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: BTN – Wayne Randazzo (Play-by-Play), Stephen Bardo (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Doug Altenberger
Ked's Player Evaluations - Coleman Hawkins
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
November 19, 2023
Illinois big man Coleman Hawkins is a senior this year and will have one more year of eligibility left if he chooses to take advantage of Covid-19.
Fourth Quarter Comeback Helps No. 16 Iowa Escape Illini’s Upset Effort in Iowa City
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
November 18, 2023
IOWA CITY — Illinois led at halftime and much of the second half but couldn’t overcome a fourth-quarter comeback victory from Iowa in order to get its first victory at Kinnick Stadium since 1999.
Subscriber Testimonials:
Not a member? Join our mailing list: