Sturdy's 5 Things I Need to See Tonight
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular and Resident Illini Guru
August 29, 2024
There are five things that I need to see tonight. They are as follows:
1. Control of the LOS - Show me two lines that can dominate a lower-level opponent and create running lanes, protect the QB and stop the run.
Illini Football Game Preview - Inside the 20-year bond of Illini OC Barry Lunney & EIU Head Coach Chris Wilkerson
Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is the godfather of the son of Eastern Illinois head coach Chris Wilkerson.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 29, 2024
Eastern Illinois at Illinois
Date/Time/Place: Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024: 8 p.m. CST, Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Ill.
What Has Illinois Done in Preseason Camp to Eliminate 2023 Defensive Penalty Woes?
New Illinois defensive backs coach Corey Parker has been placing boxing gloves and oven mitts on the hands of his players in practice this month to resist the urge to grab and hold in coverage.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 29, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — There is one statistic Aaron Henry simply has never wanted to forget from the 2023 season.
NOTEBOOK: Miles Scott Likely Getting Defensive Green Dot Radio Communication
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirms the special teams kicking situation for the Illini’s 2024 season opener vs. Eastern Illinois on Thursday night.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 28, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois player who will start out hearing words directly from defensive coordinator Aaron Henry through his helmet will be Miles Scott.
“He doesn’t have a ceiling”: How Illini LT J.C. Davis Has Responded to Coaches’ Offseason Physicality Questions
The 2024 season is designed for J.C. Davis to instantly answer any preseason questions by his coaches over a lack of physicality in his play at left tackle.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 27, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A reasonable argument can be made for the arrival of J.C. Davis served as arguably the most important transfer portal addition of the offseason for Illinois.
Illini TE Nathan Guinn Withdraws from University & Football Program
Illinois is now down to just five healthy scholarship players in Robby Discher’s tight end room less than three days before the 2024 season opener against Eastern Illinois.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 27, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Nathan Guinn is no longer enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and therefore, is no longer a member of the Illini football roster.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Upcoming Visits, Ranking Giffin Rousseau & Illini O-Line vs B1G
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
August 27, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll have a couple more upcoming visit updates, rank 2025 commit OT Griffin Rousseau vs the industry and tell you now the Illini OL stacks up against the rest of the Big Ten this season.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Indianapolis Safety Robert Reddick Excited for Upcoming Visit to Illinois
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
August 27, 2024
Champaign, IL – On September 7th, the Fighting Illini will host the 22nd-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in what is expected to be a significant game for Illinois. It’s scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT on FS1, this will present an opportunity for the Illini to showcase their improvement the past four years under coach Bret Bielema. Now is the time to maintain fan enthusiasm, and, most importantly, impress potential recruits.
Illini OC Barry Lunney Jr. Objective For QB Luke Altmyer in 2024 Opener: “Play Confidently”
Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. thinks the first exam for quarterback Luke Altmyer in the 2024 season against Eastern Illinois will be a test of confidence.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 26, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In almost every way, Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has acknowledged all the talk of preseason camp about the development of the Illini’s starting quarterback is nothing more than just that - talk.
Illinois Announces 2024 Helmet Schedule
Illinois Athletics August 25, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois will […]
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Downstate Football Prep Keeps Close Tabs on the Illini
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
August 25, 2024
Champaign, Ill. — The state of Illinois has recently become a fertile ground for the Illini in terms of football prospects. One standout is Clayton Lakatos, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver from Edwardsville, Illinois, who has kept Illinois on his radar.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Thursday Night Game Makes Football Visitor List for Opening Night Limited
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
August 24, 2024
Champaign, Ill. – Opening night for Illinois football is just around the corner, as the Fighting Illini are set to face Eastern Illinois on August 29 at 8 p.m. CT.
The Farrell Files Illinois - A Potential Big Visit & More
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
August 24, 2024
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a potential big visit, rank OL Michael McDonough vs the industry and see how the Illini stack up at WR and TE against the rest of the Big Ten.
Bret Bielema Convinced Aaron Henry’s On-The-Job Training of 2023 Will Produce Results in 2024
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry have both described Henry’s first season as a play-caller in 2023 as valuable “on-the-job training” that will pay off in future seasons.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 24, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The hindsight message that Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has been attempting to spin this summer is that in order for Aaron Henry to develop into an elite defensive play-caller, the Illini defensive struggles had to occur.
“You don’t abandon your friends, your family”: Why Illini Backup QB Donovan Leary is still in Champaign
Illinois third-year quarterback Donovan Leary is still waiting to take his first snap of collegiate action and the first high school quarterback signee of the Bret Bielema is still content with waiting and learning.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
August 23, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Given the instant transactional history of the transfer portal, especially for quarterbacks, only one preseason question exists regarding Illinois backup Donovan Leary: So, why after two years, are you still here?
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