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The 2024 season opener on Thursday night was the first time Illinois wide receivers learned they’ll be receiving a hand-written letter as part of their position coach’s special pre-game ritual. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While trying to calm himself down in the lobby of the team hotel on Thursday afternoon before his first game of the 2024 season, Pat Bryant was tapped on the shoulder by his position coach.  

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

August 31, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a key 2027 visitor for Thursday night, rank DE Cameron Brooks vs the industry and show how the Illini DL stacks up against the Big Ten.

Illinois sophomore wide receiver Malik Elzy had what could be a defining evening in every facet of his game as he begins his second year of college football. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 31, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The season opener of the 2024 season could be the moment most folks point toward when the career arc of Malik Elzy began to curve up at the collegiate level. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema suggests in post-game media conference that key transfer portal addition needs to “continue to do things the right way and with consistency” to earn a starter role.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked about his program’s most impactful transfer portal additions in the offseason, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema did not confirm a reason for Terrance Brooks’ lack of playing time in the 2024 season opener on Thursday night. 

If the 45-0 win over Eastern Illinois is any evidence to the future plans, Illinois coaches are planning to line up third-year pass rusher Gabe Jacas in all kinds of ways. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Despite an announced crowd of 43,849 and a Big Ten Network audience all seeing Gabe Jacas consistently put his hand on the ground in a defensive lineman stance, his head coach wants everybody to believe nothing has changed.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular August 30, 2024 […]

Against an overmatched in-state Football Championship Subdivision opponent, Illinois managed to leave the 2024 season-opener with a series of wins. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While it’s historically a rare occurrence when Illinois football finds itself in a perceived no-win situation, Bret Bielema’s team left the 2024 season opener with multiple reasons to feel it was a productive outing.  

August 29, 2024 Larry, Zain and Steve tied at […]

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular and Resident Illini Guru

August 29, 2024

There are five things that I need to see tonight. They are as follows:

1. Control of the LOS - Show me two lines that can dominate a lower-level opponent and create running lanes, protect the QB and stop the run.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is the godfather of the son of Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 29, 2024

Eastern Illinois at Illinois

Date/Time/Place: Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024: 8 p.m. CST, Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Ill.

New Illinois defensive backs coach Corey Parker has been placing boxing gloves and oven mitts on the hands of his players in practice this month to resist the urge to grab and hold in coverage.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — There is one statistic Aaron Henry simply has never wanted to forget from the 2023 season. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 28, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL — August marks the beginning of college football, but it’s also a pivotal time for recruiting high school football and basketball players as they visit campuses across the country.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirms the special teams kicking situation for the Illini’s 2024 season opener vs. Eastern Illinois on Thursday night. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 28, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois player who will start out hearing words directly from defensive coordinator Aaron Henry through his helmet will be Miles Scott. 

The 2024 season is designed for J.C. Davis to instantly answer any preseason questions by his coaches over a lack of physicality in his play at left tackle. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A reasonable argument can be made for the arrival of J.C. Davis served as arguably the most important transfer portal addition of the offseason for Illinois. 

Illinois is now down to just five healthy scholarship players in Robby Discher’s tight end room less than three days before the 2024 season opener against Eastern Illinois. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Nathan Guinn is no longer enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and therefore, is no longer a member of the Illini football roster.