Football

By Larry Smith, host/executive producer of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

Oct. 14, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Still have a Purdue hangover? Take two aspirin and lie down for a nap. It'll be okay.

Entering week 7 and the much-anticipated Michigan matchup, things couldn't be much better for the Illini football team.

While Orange and Blue fans fretted over the second half collapse against the Boilermakers - in which their favorite squad almost let a 24-point lead spiral into a morale - and potentially season - crushing defeat, the rest of the nation saw a ranked team do what winners do -- find a way to win.

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

Illinois Athletics October 13, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Big Ten […]

After the 50-49 win over Purdue Saturday, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema admitted the Boilermakers program led by his former defensive coordinator “pisses him off” more than anybody else in the Big Ten Conference. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 13, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After nearly watching his team spill a 27-3 lead but recover enough to salvage a one-point, walk-off overtime win, Bret Bielema spilled some proverbial tea on his rivalry with a former colleague and a rival program. 

By IlliniGuys Staff October 12, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois will welcome back former defensive coordinator Ryan Walters […]

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

October 11, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a huge recruiting weekend and the Illini’s chances with each.

September 12, 2024 The Illini dropped to 4-1 after […]

Illinois Athletics October 9, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The […]

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer October 9, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, […]

After a 14-point loss at Penn State, it’s just too easy for Illinois to chalk up this loss to being undermanned and out-talented on the line-of-scrimmage.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 8, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Allow Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. to give Captain Morgan rum some free advertisement and be the Illini’s version of “Captain Obvious” when evaluating this 21-7 loss at Penn State on Sept. 28.

An open date week usually means a massive amount of recruiting for assistant coaches. Illinois was no different…except for the two coordinators. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema detailed why. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 8, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Immediately following the loss at Penn State, all of the Illinois coaches planned to see several players & games in multiple states representing a currently ranked 4-1 football team. 

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

October 8, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a huge decommitment from another Big Ten program and how it impacts Illinois and what this weekend’s game can mean to recruiting.

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL. – Trophy games might seem like a thing of the past, but don’t tell that to the Illinois football coaches. When the Purdue Boilermakers visit Memorial Stadium this Saturday, the coveted Cannon Trophy will be on the line.

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