Football

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. says he regrets the execution and not necessarily the play calls that led to stalled drives vs. UAB.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 9, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — When Barry Lunney Jr. got down to the field level at halftime, his boss knew he didn’t need to ask his offensive play-caller many details about the first 30 minutes of action.

Lunney Jr. typically scripts the first 15 plays of the game for the Illinois offense barring any unique down-and-distance situations that could pop up, which is a behavior nearly all offensive coordinators do at this level. By halftime of Thursday night against Alabama-Birmingham both he and Illini quarterback knew it would be an understatement to suggest there were still certain calls they hadn’t shown yet.

By the end of the first half, Illinois (1-0) may have had a 21-13 lead but had only run 18 total offensive plays and in a game where Bielema and Lunney Jr. had determined pace of play would be key on a hot, humid night in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois controlled the ball for just seven and a half minutes.

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 9, 2026

CHAMPAIGN – Tywan Cox was on the field for just a short while before seeing the first pass come his way. He was beat by what was a “good throw and a good catch”, as described by defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck, but didn’t let the early loss sting him.

Hauck’s 3-3-5 system, which deploys three defensive linemen, three linebackers, and five defensive backs, has been the point of some early criticism, but it has set the stage for some key depth chart battles. With senior Juice Clarke locking down the top cornerback spot, snaps on the opposite side of the field were split between Cox and Northwest Mississippi CC transfer Jakwon Morris.

“I think for sure Juice is the guy that’s kind of a clear leading corner candidate, but I’ve kind of always been saying who's our two, three, and our four, right?” Bielema said on Monday. “I think Jakwon and Tywan kind of separated themselves over the last two or three weeks.”

Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller hints fourth-year reserve interior lineman T.J. McMillen likely to get his second career start on Saturday.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 9, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Even though his boss wasn’t prepared to announce a new right guard starter, doesn’t mean Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller was going to do the same.

Just over 24 hours after Illinois head coach Bret Bielema declined to confirm who would be replacing Brandon Henderson in the starting lineup, the leader of the Illini offensive line group more than hinted the first option would be fourth-year veteran TJ McMillen when the Illini (1-0) host Duke (1-0) at Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CST, FS1).

“Anytime a disruption like this takes place with a guy who is so versatile and can play so many different positions, t’s always been a next man up mentality around here,” Miller said Tuesday inside the Smith Center. “We’ll be ready to go and TJ will step up and do a great job.”

Illinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck cites late-substitution pattern as a big problem with the play call communication in win over UAB on Thursday night.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 8, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — If you had any kind of notion the organization flow chart of Bobby Hauck’s first game as a defensive play-caller at a new program as he’s trying to establish his 3-3-5 scheme for the first time would be flawless, think again.

Hauck, the 62-year-old who had never called defensive plays in a game, let alone from the press box viewpoint before Illinois’ 42-23 win over Alabama-Birmingham on Thursday night, admitted to some slight snafus that popped up over the course of the three-hour game.

After mentioning the obvious issue of tackling fundamentals being a problem in a game where Illinois (1-0) missed 16 total tackles, according to Pro Football Focus data, and allowed scores at the end of the both halves of plays, Hauck said that problem can be easily solved with proper tackling drills throughout practice during game week.

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer September 8, […]

Houser remains critical of himself despite four-touchdown performance in Illinois debut Thursday in 42-23 win over Alabama-Birmingham.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 8, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Patrick Pierson/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — In selling his vision Katin Houser toward Illinois out of the transfer portal, Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. was put in a position to recruit against his alma mater where Lunney Jr. played and coached. Turns out, he had some help in this endeavor.

While at the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago on July 28, Houser said he selected Illinois over a similarly competitive contract offer from a Southeastern Conference program. Multiple sources close to the situation have confirmed Illinois’ top competitor for Houser’s services this past January in the transfer portal was Arkansas led by first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield.

Lunney, who has spent nine combined years as a staff/assistant coach/interim head coach at Arkansas (1998-99, 2013-19), started 40 games at quarterback for the Razorbacks program from 1992-95. Lunney also played baseball at Arkansas. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos out of high school in 1992 and by the Minnesota Twins in 1996 and played one season of minor league baseball in the Twins organization.

However, it was folks directly associated with Lunney’s last quarterback success story at Illinois,

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 7, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Welcome to the first trench report of the year! I'm doing things just a bit differently this year. I started my own You-Tube channel and I'm downloading these cuts to that channel before moving them to the articles. That means I can title them and add comments for you to review. Feel free to go to my channel and view the videos there if you find that to be more convenient.

As for the game, I think casual Illini fans were happy enough to walk away with a 19-point win over UAB, but there are some signs for worry as well: UAB outgained the Illini by 81 yards, and that includes the yardage on a Hail Mary. Illinois also benefitted from a long punt return and a defensive score and UAB also committed a few untimely penalties (for them). On the other hand, I mentioned on our podcasts that I felt that Illinois was having some "teething" issues and that the defense would be surer after it figured out how to maintain gap control and tackle. It really seemed like the players were just trying to penetrate or control the gap without making the play. On offense, we were pretty efficient overall, but were hurt when we failed to convert half our 3rd downs (and 4th downs). And almost all of those failures were poorly-conceived short yardage plays.

I'll start the week with a set of well-conceived plays though. This is the first Illini touchdown on the year, the fake WR screen to Trimble that led to an easy touchdown for Collin Dixon. I'm sure you all noticed that Trimble's fake catch fooled both defenders and led to the touchdown, and many of you noticed that Trimble was pointing to Dixon wide open just in case Katin Houser hadn't noticed it himself. However, have you looked at the other side of the field? Illinois also has two wide open receivers there. The linebacker who was nearest Christian Abney bailed and left him all alone with the corner in conflict between Abney and Laughery. So, if Houser had pumped left, he could have passed to Abney for an easy TD as well, or gotten some easy yards by dumping to Laughery in the flat with Knapik and Abney ready to block. Sometimes wide open receivers like this are on the defense, but I think this is about a quality play call.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema confirmed in his Monday media […]

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

Our weekly ‘Sturdy for 30’ on college football, looking back on what happened. We will be Illini centric, but the world of college football with a weekly tinge of sarcasm and fun.

The Illini have a gem at QB in Katin Houser. It's clear he has arm talent but it's also clear that he has a great demeanor, some leadership qualities and the ability to read defenses. He's even a little faster than we thought at first glance. If Illinois fails to win 9 or 10 games this season it won't be because of the quarterback.
The 3-3-5 is still a big question mark? 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

September 6, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy player's Hudl page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Hunter Mosolino has quickly become a wanted prospect on the recruiting trail, with several programs seeing the Crystal Lake defensive lineman as a talented player who could eventually make an immediate impact at the college level.

Mosolino, a 6-foot-4, 242-pound defensive lineman in the 2028 recruiting class, saw his stock soar this past spring. Missouri, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana and Iowa are among the programs that have extended scholarship offers and appear to be making the Crystal Lake standout a high priority.

IlliniGuys caught up with Mosolino for an update on his recruitment and his thoughts on Illinois.

"It's been pretty much the dream," Mosolino said.

Illinois wide receiver Ty Robinson’s only offensive play in the 42-23 win over Alabama-Birmingham was enough to remembered for six points.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 5, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Nobody can argue Ty Robinson had the efficient evening in his first ever game in an Illinois jersey.

The sixth-year veteran wide receiver participated in two offensive plays on Thursday evening in the 42-23 win over Alabama-Birmingham and they both likely drew the biggest reaction from the Gies Memorial Stadium.

Robinson’s first snap came in a ‘Hail Mary’ play scenario with four seconds remaining in the first half resulting in a miraculous touchdown - his first in nearly two years. The second snap was part of the victory formation kneel down that secured the Illini’s 1-0 start to 2026.

IlliniGuys.com begins its sixth season of providing an in-depth film review following each Illinois football game. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 5, 2026

CHAMPAIGN — The debut of Illinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck and the transition to the 3-3-5 scheme on Thursday night was going to be defined by a three-word phrase: Proof. Of. Concept.

In one aspect of the 42-23 win over Alabama-Birmingham to open the 2026 campaign, there was a demonstration used to show this change can work. And in one another aspect the same problems that plagued the 2025 Illini defensive unit and, according to Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, signified the need for this offseason transformation still were a large concern. We’ll quickly look at both in the 2026 season-opening IlliniGuys.com film review. 

— Pressure Can Produce Havoc —

Let’s start with the very redeemable aspect of the performance by the Illinois defense on Thursday night - the saber-rattling nature of the front six of the 3-3-5. 

According to Pro Football Focus data, Illinois came with an aggressive blitz package on only 10 of the 40 dropbacks from UAB quarterback Ryder Burton. However, the limited number, 25 percent, of blitz calls produced were very effective. Burton was just 4 of 9 against those blitz calls for just 68 passing yards and just two first-down conversions. It was a fourth-quarter blitz producing the pressure from 25-year-old rusher Will Holmes resulting in the interception on a panicked chest pass and a 59-yard touchdown return by Ismael Kante. 

“I thought it was a strip sack, man,” Holmes said after the win. “I just felt like we were in the backfield all day. It was fun. (The Illinois coaches) all told us this defense would be fun to play. They told me (defensive line) would be fun to play. They were correct.” 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed this past week that he and 15 football staffers, mostly tied to general manager Pat Embleton, will be on the road tonight. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 4, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Stevens/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN — Amongst all the rule changes in college football one of the few things that has stayed consistent is once the calendar flipped to September, Illinois general manager Pat Embleton and his player personnel staff were on call. 

According to the 2026-27 recruiting calendar, the timetable of the evaluation period that allows college coaches to scout and have foot traffic on high school campuses including games on typically on Friday nights begins on Sept. 1.

With Illinois completing a Thursday night season opener against Alabama-Birmingham, today is not a game preparation/travel day for the Illini coaching staff. This early start to the 2026 campaign will obviously allow Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and Embleton’s player personnel staff to on high school playing field tonight to view potential 2027 commits/prospects and 2028 prospects. 

IlliniGuys.com beat writer Matthew Stevens assesses the categories and overall aspect of the Illini’s win over Alabama-Birmingham

Illinois 42, UAB 23 

CHAMPAIGN — For the sixth consecutive time in the Bret Bielema era of University of Illinois football, a 1-0 record is the result. 

The 42-23 victory over Alabama-Birmingham had superstar glimpses, puzzling moments and pretty much everything you would anticipate from a first game of the season. IlliniGuys.com attempts to grade out the last three and a half hours of football from all elements to provide a perspective on a comfortable but sometimes confounding performance by the Illini.  

Run Offense

The first quarter of this contest was a coming out party for Ca’Lil Valentine and then you have to realize there is a little thing called sample size because

Bret Bielema has proven he can be relied on to have a mature football team for season-opening contests as he is now a perfect 6-0 in first game at Illinois.

Illinois Season-Opening Game Results under Head Coach Bret Bielema
2021 - WIN vs. Nebraska - 30-22
2022 - WIN vs. Wyoming - 38-6
2023 - WIN vs. Toledo - 30-28
2024 - WIN vs. Eastern Illinois - 45-0
2025 - WIN vs. Western Illinois - 52-3
2026 - WIN vs. UAB - 42-23
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By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 3, 2026

(Cover photo courtesy Big Ten Network)

CHAMPAIGN — What everybody saw Thursday night (or, at this point, Friday early morning) was the difference experienced personnel can still have in college football.

Sure, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was rightfully nervous about his 2026 roster including 20 non rookie, first-year newcomers to the operations in Champaign-Urbana. However, after 19 wins in the previous two seasons, what the Illini have put together for this campaign still ranks among the most experienced in the nation according to research by The Athletic. As soon as Illinois ran out of the tunnel of Gies Memorial Stadium in preparation for what became a dominating 42-23 victory over Alabama-Birmingham, Bielema’s 2026 collection of talent was 14th among Football Bowl Subdivision programs and fifth in the Big Ten Conference in career games played (1,438), 17th in the nation and fifth in the Big Ten in career starts (476) and 36th in the nation and sixth in the Big Ten in career snaps played (36,863).