Football

How the Connection of Art Sitkowski and Illinois Became a Perfect Fit

How the Connection of Art Sitkowski and Illinois Became a Perfect Fit

Art Sitkowski needed what he calls “a change of scenery” after struggling at Rutgers and an Illinois program, willing to forget the past, needed a talented quarterback. The two situations were made for a transfer portal marriage. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 15, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- When asked about his transfer portal decision and process, Artur Sitkowski constantly uses the phrase ‘fresh start’ to describe exactly what he was looking for. 

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IlliniGuys Football Camp Position Preview: Defensive End

IlliniGuys Football Camp Position Preview: Defensive End

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 15, 2021

Depth is a major concern on the defensive end spot for the Illini as they convert from a four-man front to a 3-4 scheme.

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Illini Football Preseason Practice Morning Report Saturday August 14

Illini Football Preseason Practice Morning Report Saturday August 14

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 14, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Today marked another practice session (the 12th of the preseason for the Illini this month) on the grass fields just outside the Smith Family Football building where the players were in just helmets, shoulder pads, jerseys and shorts today.

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Pihlstrom Making Strong Push for Open Right Guard Spot

Pihlstrom Making Strong Push for Open Right Guard Spot

Illinois returns three offensive starters and Wofford graduate transfer Blake Jersaty but it’s former walk-on tight Alex Pihlstrom who is garnering attention for a potential starting spot. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 13, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema knows something about offensive linemen in the Big Ten Conference.

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West Named Director of On-Campus Recruiting

West Named Director of On-Campus Recruiting

By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting August […]

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Hawkeye State Football Star is Wide-Open

Hawkeye State Football Star is Wide-Open

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 11, 2021

Traditionally in the state of Iowa, it is very tough for anyone to come in to get recruits of any kind, especially football.

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IlliniGuys Football Camp Position Preview: Inside Linebacker

IlliniGuys Football Camp Position Preview: Inside Linebacker

The Illini have at least four players currently working at inside linebacker who have started a game for a Power Five Conference program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 11, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It’s pretty safe to assume Andy Buh has seen a lot of change in his nomadic coaching career as he enters his 24th season and eighth different stop at a Power Five Conference school coaching the linebacker position.

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Virginia Tech DE Alec Bryant, a Former 4-Star Prospect, Confirms Verbal Commitment to Illini

Virginia Tech DE Alec Bryant, a Former 4-Star Prospect, Confirms Verbal Commitment to Illini

Illinois has added its first transfer portal piece to […]

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Illini Football Fall Camp Practice - August 10 Morning Report

Illini Football Fall Camp Practice - August 10 Morning Report

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Today marked the first practice following the […]

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Bielema Showcases “live, old American football” in Illini’s First Preseason Scrimmage

Bielema Showcases “live, old American football” in Illini’s First Preseason Scrimmage

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Bret Bielema finally let all of his current players at Illinois get a taste of what he has historically referred to as “live, old American football”.

For the first time in this preseason camp, Bielema’s Illini program conducted a two-hour full-contact scrimmage inside the Memorial Stadium Monday afternoon.

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Illini Football Fall Camp Practice - August 9 Morning Report

Illini Football Fall Camp Practice - August 9 Morning Report

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 9, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Today marked the first preseason scrimmage and so the 15-minute viewing period of Monday's practice session was essentially nothing more than watching the players go through pre-game stretching.

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Column: Bobby Bowden - One Of A Kind

Column: Bobby Bowden - One Of A Kind

I've had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people in my career.  None more colorful nor more affable than Bobby Bowden.  There are those few among us whose personality is so large that it enters a room before the person does...and that was Bobby.

I first met Coach Bowden 29 years ago this month.  He was already a coaching icon, having constructed the Florida State program more than a decade earlier into a powerhouse and putting this former all-women's school permanently on the football map. 

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Illini Football Fall Practice Report Saturday Midday August 7th

Illini Football Fall Practice Report Saturday Midday August 7th

This was the first day in full pads for the Illini players and also marked the arrival of the Big Ten Network crew (Dave Revsine, Howard Griffith, Gerry DiNardo and Joshua Perry) for its annual preseason look at all 14 teams in the league. Illinois was the second team they've seen as they began this tour with Nebraska on Thursday.
Today marked the first sign of senior tailback Mike Epstein to fall camp after he was absent for the first five days of practice as he continues to work his way back from injury.

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Illini Assistant Coach Corey Patterson Handed Bielema’s Golden Goose: The Running Back Room

Illini Assistant Coach Corey Patterson Handed Bielema’s Golden Goose: The Running Back Room

Illinois running backs coach Corey Patterson was not only the only retained staff member from Lovie Smith’s tenure but is now in charge of Bret Bielema’s prized offensive possession.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 6, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- There is obvious third-party evidence to suggest Corey Patterson’s interview with Bret Bielema to keep his spot on the Illinois coaching staff went well.

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Illini Football Fall Camp Practice Report Friday August 6 - Afternoon Update

Illini Football Fall Camp Practice Report Friday August 6 - Afternoon Update

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 6, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Welcome to the fifth straight day of fall camp for the Illinois football program and the first day where they used the grass practice fields across from the Smith Family Football Center.

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