Football

Bielema Attempting to Sell Close Losses as “actually a step in the right direction”

Bielema Attempting to Sell Close Losses as “actually a step in the right direction”

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- For the first time in his 281st day as the head football coach at the University of Illinois, Bret Bielema began pivoting to sell moral victories. 

On Sept. 27, 2021, just two days removed from his team’s fourth straight loss and only the second time in his head-coaching career he’s lost that many in a row, Bielema began his attempt to inform an impatient fan base on the small progress he’s seeing on the field.

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Bielema Gives Uncommitted Answer Whether Illini Will Change QBs

Bielema Gives Uncommitted Answer Whether Illini Will Change QBs

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COLUMN: Bret Bielema Told Everybody Who He Was & Illini Fans Didn’t Believe Him

COLUMN: Bret Bielema Told Everybody Who He Was & Illini Fans Didn’t Believe Him

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The Trench Report: Purdue

The Trench Report: Purdue

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuy Football Analyst

September 27, 2021

I'm going to skip over any discussion of decision-making by the head man since that's already been discussed ad nauseum. 

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Football Recruiting - Illinois eyes another Quad Cities prospect

Football Recruiting - Illinois eyes another Quad Cities prospect

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 26, 2021

It has been said more times than not in the past five years: the Quad Cities is starting to become a hotbed for talent in all sports. The football scene is deeper than it has ever been.

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Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - What did we learn from the Purdue loss?

Mike Cagley's Heat Checks and Hail Marys - What did we learn from the Purdue loss?

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuys September 26, 2021 The frustration of […]

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Bielema's Attempted Justification for 4th-and-2 decision

Bielema's Attempted Justification for 4th-and-2 decision

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema says he would’ve made the same decision to punt with nine minutes left every time. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 25, 2021

Illinois at Purdue courtesy Journal and Courier

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Bret Bielema will not apologize or have any regret over his decision to punt on fourth and short from inside Purdue’s 35-yard-line.

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Illini waste McCray's big day, defensive effort in 13-9 loss at Purdue

Illini waste McCray's big day, defensive effort in 13-9 loss at Purdue

By IlliniGuys.com staff September 25, 2021 West Lafayette, IN […]

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In preparation for Purdue’s passing attack, Illinois is back to using Tony Adams as a utility defensive back

In preparation for Purdue’s passing attack, Illinois is back to using Tony Adams as a utility defensive back

The last time Adams’ feet hit the Ross-Ade Stadium grass, he stepped in front of a Plummer pass and walked into the end zone as Illinois cruised to a 24-6 win. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 25, 2021

Preview Box: Illinois at Purdue

Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021: 2:30 p.m. CST, Ross-Ade Stadium.

Surface: Grass

Capacity: 57,236 

Records: Illinois 1-3 in 2021; 2-6 in 2020; Purdue 2-1 in 2021; 2-4 in 2020.

Betting Line: Purdue by 11. 

Series notes: Series tied, 45-45-6. The away team has won seven of the last nine meetings between the two teams.

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IlliniGuys - Illinois vs Purdue Predictions

IlliniGuys - Illinois vs Purdue Predictions

The Illini are coming off of winning 57 minutes […]

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Recruiting: Guys to keep an “I” on – Chandavian Bradley

Recruiting: Guys to keep an “I” on – Chandavian Bradley

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Recruiting: Louisville CB impressed with Illinois assistant

Recruiting: Louisville CB impressed with Illinois assistant

Jeremiah Collins, a 6-foot-2, 150-pound cornerback from Louisville, Kentucky, updated his recruitment with IlliniGuys.com recently, as the Illini enter the picture now.

Collins is interested in Illinois for several reasons, but DB coach Aaron Henry hit a home run with Collins and has his ear.

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Sturdyfor30 - Illini Head to Purdue

Sturdyfor30 - Illini Head to Purdue

Brian Neubert from GoldandBlack.com joins Sturdy to talk about […]

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‘His upside is off the charts’: Bielema confirms DL Keith Randolph Will Play at Purdue

‘His upside is off the charts’: Bielema confirms DL Keith Randolph Will Play at Purdue

Randolph has been out for the past two games with the lower body injury suffered in the first quarter of the 37-30 loss to Texas-San Antonio on Sept. 4

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 23, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois will have its best pass rusher back in the lineup this weekend.

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Illini Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters More Comfortable With New Sideline View

Illini Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters More Comfortable With New Sideline View

Illinois’ defensive boss believes a move from the overhead press box to the sideline prior to the Maryland game resulted in a better Illini performance

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Sports Writer

September 22, 2021

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It turns out the birdseye view is not for Ryan Walters. 

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