
Illini WR Pat Bryant Will Not Play in Bowl Game
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirms Thursday his leading […]
Illini WR Pat Bryant Will Not Play in Bowl Game
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirms Thursday his leading […]
The Trench Report: Northwestern
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst
December 4, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
I hope you all enjoyed being able to continue Northwestern's futility at Wrigley Field as the mildcats are 0-5 in their home away from home. On rewatching, I was just a little disappointed in Illinois' performance on Saturday, as I found that Northwestern was outclassed across the board aside perhaps from AJ Henning and Illinois allowed Northwestern to hang around just a little too much. However, in the end it was still a 10 point win in what was nominally a road game and the venue made it more fun than it would have been at Northwestern's temporary lakefront home.
Recruiting Spotlight on Ismael Kante
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst
December 4, 2024
Illinois made it two athletic crossover linebackers in two days when Ismael Kante of Iowa Central Community College committed to the Illini the day after Grant Beerman of Lakota West (OH) switched his pledge to Illinois. Kante originally hails from Brooklyn Park Minnesota, but has made his way South and East all the way to Champaign to finish his amateur football journey. He chose the Illini over late offers from Kansas State and California along with a few other mid major offers and makes the 19th addition to the Class of 2025.
What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?
Illini Football Welcomes Class of 2025
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting, Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst, and Larry Smith - Executive Producer & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
December 4, 2025
It's the most-anticipated day on the football calendar...without a single player putting on pads, no fans having tickets scanned, and no cheerleaders waving pom-poms.
Today is National Signing Day and, for Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, that means officially welcoming in the 20 young men who have previously given verbal pledges but now signing their National Letters of Intent to play for the Fighting Illini beginning in the 2025 season.
Let's take a look at the newest Illini:
Player: Grant Beerman
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Football Flips OL Dylan Frechette
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 2, 2024
Champaign, IL – Illinois football added a late piece to its 2025 recruiting class Monday night when IlliniGuys learned that Dylan Frechette, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman from West Palm Beach, Florida, decommitted from FIU and made a silent commitment to the Fighting Illini.
Stevens: Illini Film Review - Illinois Gets Back to Basics in Win Rivalry Game vs. Northwestern
Illinois used the bend-but-don’t-break concept on defense to prevent Northwestern’s ball-control philosophy from dominating the game at Wrigley Field.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
December 3, 2024
CHICAGO — The average number of offensive plays run in a game by a Football Bowl Subdivision program this season is around 69-70. The most offensive plays run per game by an FBS program is Texas Tech’s average of 80.6. The simple logic more tempo your offense is run with, the more plays you’re likely to run and the more fatigued the defensive players will get over some time. The Illinois defense beat back this logic on Saturday with one element: Red zone defensive efficiency.
Northwestern ran 92 offensive plays on Saturday and scored just 28 points. The Wildcats held the ball for 20 minutes and 33 seconds of the 30-minute first half of play and the offensive result of that ball control before halftime was just three offensive points.
14 Illini Earn All-Big Ten Honors
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Big […]
Illini Assistant Coach Dana Dimel Passes Away
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) December 3, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, […]
Illini's Laughery Named Big Ten Player of the Week
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois running […]
Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Ryan Day, High School Football Playoff Solutions & B1G Football Team Rankings
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Illini Winning Ways Influence Ismael Kante Commitment
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 1, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Winning continues to pay dividends for the University of Illinois football program, evidenced by the commitment of linebacker Ismael Kante today. Late last week, IlliniGuys reported the possibility of Kante choosing the Illini following his official visit last Tuesday.
Stevens: “Greatness recognizing greatness” - Pat Bryant Breaks Illini Touchdown Record With Brandon Lloyd In Attendance
After seeing former Illinois star wide receiver Brandon Lloyd before the start of this in-state rivalry game at Wrigley Field, Pat Bryant knew he needed one more touchdown.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 1, 2024
CHICAGO — Entering the final regular season game of his college career, Pat Bryant knew he was one short of a school touchdown record he’s been eyeing and telling local media about since the start of preseason camp.
Stevens: Can Illini Football Translate 2024 Into Future Success? Bielema Thinks So
After a comfortable win Saturday, Illinois left Wrigley Field with a clear message about where the dominant in-state college football program lives and will likely reside for time to come.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
November 30, 2024
CHICAGO — In the team hotel on a Friday night before Big Ten Conference road games this season, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has gone up and down his 74-player travel roster and noticed a trend.
Quick Recap: Laughery's Career Day Keys #23 Illini's Wrigley Rout Over 'Cats
By IlliniGuys Staff November 30, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Recruiting Spotlight on Grant Beerman
By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst
November 30, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy player's page on X)
Illinois fans received a great Thanksgiving gift right as they were settling in for the big meal when Grant Beerman of Lakota West (Ohio) High School flipped his commitment to Illinois from Purdue. This was a long-rumored switch, but the timing made it especially sweet for Illinois fans looking for a capstone on a resurgent season. Beerman is a 6'4, 220 pounder who plays middle linebacker for his high school team but figures to switch to outside linebacker at Illinois.
What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?