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“He’s an outside linebacker”: No Position Change For Gabe Jacas

“He’s an outside linebacker”: No Position Change For Gabe Jacas

Despite playing a significant amount of his 66 snaps Saturday with his hand in the ground, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema insists Gabe Jacas isn’t moving to a new position. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 26, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema doesn’t want to hear more talk that Gabe Jacas is changing positions. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Divine Bourrage

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Divine Bourrage

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 26, 2023

The Fighting Illini women's basketball program is off to a great start in terms of recruiting, but you can never have enough quality talent on your roster.

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Around The Big Ten - October 26th

Around The Big Ten - October 26th

October 26, 2023 2nd ranked Michigan has the week […]

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Bielema On Michigan Sign Stealing Accusations: “Whatever is going forward, we just believe that people are doing things right.’

Bielema On Michigan Sign Stealing Accusations: “Whatever is going forward, we just believe that people are doing things right.’

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has lobbied new Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti on developing NFL-style audio communication from coach to player through the helmet to avoid further sign stealing issues. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 26, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN —  The head football coach at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana would like the current investigation into Michigan to give further motivation for audio technology in college football should be voted into play.

Bret Bielema said Wednesday he isn’t familiar with the details of the scandal that has led to Connor Stalions, the currently suspended Michigan football analyst being the focus of a sign-stealing investigation. The Big Ten Conference has confirmed Michigan was under investigation by the NCAA for allegedly scouting future opponents in person, which would be a violation of NCAA rules.

What Bielema says he is familiar with is the idea that sign stealing happens throughout the television copy of game tape on opponents and during the 60 minutes of a game while he and his staff are on the sideline of a college football game. 

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Wisconsin 25, Illinois 21 - Illini Film Review - The Collapse & Bielema Clapping Back

Wisconsin 25, Illinois 21 - Illini Film Review - The Collapse & Bielema Clapping Back

IlliniGuys.com will dissect the 18-0 collapse in the fourth quarter of Illinois’ 25-21 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 25, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — There is one major problem Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry has after reviewing the final two Wisconsin drives on Saturday resulting in 15 unanswered points in a 25-21 loss is that his squad’s future on the defensive line and secondary were on the field. 

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Denied: Jer'Zhan Newton’s Targeting Suspension Appeal Denied

Denied: Jer'Zhan Newton’s Targeting Suspension Appeal Denied

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirms Wednesday that the first half suspension for Illini defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton was upheld by the NCAA. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 25, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Jer'Zhan Newton will not be permitted to be on the field for the first 30 minutes of Illinois’ next game. 

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Updates on Petty, Sensabaugh & a JUCO OL that is a Must Get

The Farrell Files Illinois - Updates on Petty, Sensabaugh & a JUCO OL that is a Must Get

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

October 25, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files, I’ll have an update on QB Trey Petty, more on DB Jaren Sensabaugh and a JUCO OL that is a must get.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jeremiah Fears

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Jeremiah Fears

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 24, 2023

Champaign, Ill.--This weekend the men's basketball program was big in terms of recruiting. Illinois played its first exhibition game Friday night against an NAIA opponent, the Ottawa Braves. The final outcome was 116-65 with a great performance from Illinois.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Brayden Trimble

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Brayden Trimble

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 23, 2023

 Champaign, Ill.--An Illinois prep has an Illinois offer along with other top DI football programs.

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The Trench Report: Wisconsin

The Trench Report: Wisconsin

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 23, 2023

We've all seen this story before. The Illini come out ready to play. Look pretty good. Catch a bad break, and fold. We've seen it happen several times already this year, not to mention all the games we can recount from past coaching staffs and generations. These games have haunted we Illini football fans for most of our lives. When Illinois' best player was ejected on a questionable targeting penalty and the defense gave up a few big plays after that because they were out of sorts, Illini fans through Memorial Stadium and around the world started to think "We're going to lose this game aren't we?" The stadium was hushed. The players on both sides of the field felt it, and it truly did affect the game. This was one of those moments just like the Bartman/ Moises Alou play in 2003 when a bad break spiraled into a loss because everyone wearing the home team's colors is so used to catching bad breaks. As I was leaving that game listening to other Illini fans recount where that game landed on the list of bad losses at Memorial, I had to wonder whether the team might have won that game if they were playing on the road.

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Visitor News & New JUCO Lineman

The Farrell Files Illinois - Visitor News & New JUCO Lineman

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

October 23, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll share some things I’ve heard about a key visitor and an upcoming visit that could be key.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Trey Petty

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Trey Petty

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 22, 2023

Champaign, Ill.--Starkville, Mississippi, has one of the best quarterbacks in the country: that is Trey Petty, who committed to the Fighting Illini in late April of this year.

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Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Wisconsin Disaster

Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Wisconsin Disaster

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

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Devastated Bret Bielema Getting Reminded The Difficulty Of An Illini Rebuild

Devastated Bret Bielema Getting Reminded The Difficulty Of An Illini Rebuild

2023 was supposed to be the breakthrough season for Illinois but after eight games, Bielema is clinging to a four-game stretch for a shred of stability.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 22, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema left Memorial Stadium Saturday night more despondent than any of the previous 16 losses as Illinois head football coach. 

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“I’m just tired of it”: Following Loss to Wisconsin, Bielema Vents At Big Ten Officiating Crew

“I’m just tired of it”: Following Loss to Wisconsin, Bielema Vents At Big Ten Officiating Crew

A 14-play, 83-yard touchdown drive ending with 27 seconds remaining gave Wisconsin its first and only lead of the afternoon as Illinois dropped the Homecoming game 25-21 to the Badgers. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 21, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — The targeting penalty and subsequent ejection of Jer'Zhan Newton with 10 minutes to go Saturday is the moment Illinois head coach Bret Bielema saw enough to know that he has seen enough. 

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