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As he faces his alma mater next weekend, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema must decide between Luke Altmyer or John Paddock. And he may soon learn either decision has a lot of merit.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 12, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — In his 11-minute post-game media session, Bret Bielema knew the quarterback question was coming. 

The Illinois third-year was asked how he’s going to handle his quarterback room after John Paddock’s record-setting 507-yard passing performance and Luke Altmyer being medically cleared for contact late Friday but too late to make him active against Indiana on Saturday. 

On day where he finishes with 207 all-purpose yards, Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams is now second in Illinois history in career receptions with 200. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 11, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — In early May 2021, Isaiah Williams elected to move to a brand new positional group of wide receiver. 

In early November 2023, the same player has now found himself to be second all-time in career receptions in University of Illinois football history. The only more productive pass-catcher in Illini history is College Football Hall of Fame selection and former two-time All-American David Williams. 

In the 48-45 overtime victory over Indiana Saturday, Isaiah Williams made it back-to-back weekends with a game-winning touchdown catch. Both game-winning scores, the deep ball at Minnesota and the quick strike in overtime over Indiana, were the product of Williams trusting his new quarterback and his instincts after having started as a quarterback for the first 19 years of his life. 

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) November 11, 2023 (Cover […]

By IlliniGuys Staff

November 11, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Walk-on John Paddock threw for a career-high 507 yards and 4 touchdowns in his 1st start as an Illini to engineer a 48-45 OT win over Indiana Saturday afternoon.

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

November 11, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini found a way to win an ugly affair on Friday evening in front of a sold-out State Farm Center, and may have answered a question about their identity. The Illini won 64-53 after holding Oakland scoreless on 11 straight possessions and Greg Kampe said post game, ‘They can really, really guard. They get after you.’

And that is going to have to be their identity at times this season. There is no question that they will have good and bad days on offense, but they have to play defense every day. Terrence Shannon scored 15 points to lead the way, but was also excellent on defense, limiting 3-point shooting star Jack Gohlke to 6 attempts. Quincy Guerrier got his first double-double as an Illini with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Coleman Hawkins rebounded from a slow start with an 8 point, 8 rebound and 5 assist stat line. 

Here’s What we saw.

These 3 Things

Defense Rules - The Illini held Oakland to 0.85 PPP and after the initial 8-0 run, Oakland struggled...

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 11, 2023

#23 Illinois at Marquette

Date | Time: Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 | 2 p.m. CT

Location: Milwaukee, Wis. | Al McGuire Center

CHAMPAIGN — Regardless of the status of All-American guard Makira Cook, Illinois has a confident lead guard option as they embark on a difficult road test at Marquette. In Tuesday’s season opener at the State Farm Center, Genesis Bryant proved in an 81-61 win over Morehead State that she can take her game to a next level if given the lead guard status and isn’t just a sidekick to Cook’s dazzling combo guard skills.

November 11, 2023 Pretty good week based on the […]

By IlliniGuys Staff November 11, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said he would feel fine in the 10th game of this season starting Luke Altmyer against Indiana despite the 21-year-old not being fully active for practice all week. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 11, 2023

Indiana at Illinois

Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023: 11 a.m. CST, Memorial Stadium, Champaign

Surface: Field Turf

Capacity: 60,670

Records: Illinois 4-5, 2-4 in Big Ten; Indiana 3-6, 1-5 in Big Ten

Betting Line: Illinois by 7

Series notes: Illinois leads the all-time series 45-25-3. Illinois leads 29-9 in games located in Champaign but have lost the last four in the series. The only time Illini head coach Bret Bielema has ever lost to Indiana was last year’s 23-20 victory for the Hoosiers on Sept. 2.

TV: Big Ten Network; Connor Onion (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color analyst) and Elise Menaker (sideline reporter)

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 (138/195), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

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CHAMPAIGN — In the mind of his head coach, by the time the calendar flips to November, Luke Altmyer’s practice time becomes less and less relevant to whether he can start and play in a game.

By IlliniGuys Staff November 10, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended by […]

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

November 10, 2023

The Illini host the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Friday evening at the State Farm Center as they look to move to 2-0 and set up a showdown with Marquette on Tuesday. The Friday night game is a sellout and should be a fun game in front of a great crowd. Illinois got a great performance from their freshmen and bench overall on Monday in the 28-point win over EIU but will need the older players to step up as well as the schedule ramps up. 

Here are our keys to the game and a pick. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema views reports of Michigan personnel scouting games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign before their 2022 contest as ‘sickening’ and ‘disgusting’ behavior. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 9, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema wanted to make it very clear he’s not happy about the idea of University of Michigan football personnel being at Memorial Stadium to scout games.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 9, 2023

Three-star guard Elijah Lovemore from Chicago Heights, Illinois, recaps his visit this past weekend on the Illinois campus.  Lovemore is a 6-foot-4, 170-pound point guard who knows how to run a team; hence, he has caught the eyes of several Power 5 schools as of late.

The former Michigan football staffer at the center of […]