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IlliniGuys Staff November 24, 2023 ILLINOIS (4-1) vs. Western […]

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.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 24, 2023

Transfer portal season is about to heat up!

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.” 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting November 20, 2023 […]

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,

By IlliniGuys Staff November 19, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

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.