Football

From a newfound confident returning quarterback to a veteran group of receivers, Illinois has one of the more efficient deep passing games just two weeks into the 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 12, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In less than a calendar year, Illinois has gone from one of the worst at a deep passing game to one of the most efficient in the same statistical category. 

So, the question that is begged is: What changed? The answer is well, everything. 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting September 11, […]

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

September 11, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll give my thoughts on how the Kansas win impacts recruiting and rank DB Andre Lovett vs the industry.

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Insider & Co-Host of IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio

September 11, 2024

It’s not very often that the Illini start a season 2-0 in football, and even more rare for them to do it while beating a ranked opponent. The Illini have done just that and sit at #26 in the AP Poll this week after their win over #19 Kansas. Here are some deep thoughts:

Despite not being the talk of preseason camp, Illinois freshman tailback Ca'Lil Valentine proved to be a big factor in the Illini’s 23-17 victory over then-No. 19 Kansas last weekend. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a blowout victory over Eastern Illinois in his college football debut, Ca'Lil Valentine had just six snaps of action and four carries to run out the clock while the score was already 45-0.

Josh Whitman and Bret Bielema are both in sync on the idea that Illinois should have among its program goals to be in the mix for a 12-team College Football Playoff berth. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — According to both men, there is rarely a day that goes by where Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman and Illini head football coach Bret Bielema don’t talk. 

Illinois Athletics September 10, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois cornerback Xavier […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 10, 2024

Champaign, IL. – JJ Finch, a three-star recruit from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, was one of several high-profile recruits visiting Illinois this past weekend. Although Finch’s current rankings may not fully reflect his talent and offer list, he is the top-ranked player in Indiana for the Class of 2026.

Illinois third-year defensive back Xavier Scott’s development may properly define the Illini’s mentality as a developmental program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For Xavier Scott, seeing really is believing. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 9, 2024

This one will always be known as the "Xavier Scott game". Illinois got a huge win on Saturday in Illinois' first sellout win in the last 8 attempts.

Illinois Athletics September 9, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois cornerback Xavier […]

We look at how Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry was able to change the picture pre and post-snap for Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 9, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The 365-day turnaround from how Kansas took advantage of an opposing play-caller in his third game calling the Illinois defense to get a win last season to Aaron Henry figuring a plan in January and tweaking that plan at halftime to get a win in 2024 is nearly mesmerizing if it wasn’t reality. 

1,358 days ago, Bret Bielema was hired to become the 26th head coach in Illini football history and in his 39th game, his team created an history moment that eventually program turnarounds point towards. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 9, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The first word Bret Bielema used in the post-game locker room Saturday night to describe what his players, coaches and himself had just accomplished was “earned”. 

IlliniGuys Staff September 8, 2024 Here are graphics depicting […]

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports […]