Football

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The proof of the University of Illinois football program heading in a positive direction can come from nothing more than where Samuel M'Pemba started his weekend. 

M'Pemba, a five-star athlete in the 2023 recruiting class, was on the Illinois campus Friday for an unofficial visit as he begins to narrow down the many scholarship offers he’s received since last spring. 

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound multi-talented athlete currently plays at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., while being listed as a wide receiver while lining up mostly as a tight end or H-back for the nationally-recognized prep school but most college programs are recruiting him at the next level as a stand-up pass rusher. 

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(From Fighting Illini Sports Information Department) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The […]

The Illini are playing to finish 5-7 and have […]

The Fighting Illini Football team is now starting to compete. It's not a thing of beauty, that's for sure. But teams no longer view Illinois as the team they want to schedule for Homecoming. With two big wins on the road in recent weeks - at then number seven Penn State and recently 20th ranked Minnesota, teams are taking notice.

But you're only as good as your roster. Illinois coaches have spent their off-weeks on the road recruiting, well aware that they will be losing more than 20 seniors this year and you can expect a few others to leave the program to seek playing opportunities elsewhere. Filling those voids will be necessary to the program moving forward. Unlike years past, college sports teams no longer have to worry about junior college players or playing freshman too early. The NCAA Transfer Portal could be one of the best weapons to keep the Illini train moving forward. 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting  November […]

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema still expects to be on the sidelines for the rivalry game against Northwestern this weekend. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 22, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema has high hopes to leave his isolation room around the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 22, 2022

Illinois fans won't like the result of Saturday's game, but after poring over the film, I came to the conclusion that Iowa was just better than Illinois.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting 

Nov. 21, 2021

The next few months are crucial for the Fighting Illini football staff. Illinois football is making believers that coach Coach Bielema is the right person to turn Illinois around for the long term by building a program with players that fit what he is accustomed to and has been successful with. 

Even without its first-year head coach, Illinois played like it more than belonged on a field against a Big Ten West power. Something they haven’t bragged in past years. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 21, 2021

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Look, I wanted to know how this plan would work for Illinois without Bret Bielema. 

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy November 21, 2021 The Illini traveled […]

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IlliniGuys Staff November 20, 2021 (Cover photo courtesy Hawk […]

While first down gets a lot of attention and third down is statistically tracked, Bret Bielema & Ryan Walters know second down is where this Illini defense makes plays. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 20, 2021

Game Preview: Illinois at No. 17 Iowa

Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021: 1 p.m. CST, Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, Iowa).

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 11, 2021

Illinois added its second defensive commitment in two days with TJ Griffin from Palos Hills Stagg High School as the staff has gotten busy recruiting during the bye week.