Football

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good evening and welcome to a very different preseason camp practice report from the fourth session (practice No. 2 was closed to the public/media) for the Illinois program for the 2024 season under lights in Memorial Stadium.

Due to Big Ten Network personnel being allowed full access to Thursday night’s session, Illinois fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema elected to make the full two-hour practice open to media and therefore, you should prepare yourselves for what will be an extensive IlliniGuys.com report. 

The return of a multi-year offensive coordinator, experienced starting quarterback and returning starter at center signals a shorter and more extensive offensive installation for Illinois this August. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Just for a single moment imagine the comfort level of Josh Kreutz in these first few preseason meetings, walk-throughs and practices. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Good morning and welcome to the third preseason camp practice (practice No. 2 was closed to the public/media) for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the fourth campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

July 31, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll take a look at a few 2026 recruitments to watch and break down how the Illini compare with the rest of the Big Ten when it comes to offensive line recruiting in 2025.

Illinois starting quarterback Luke Altmyer quickly embraced the idea his offseason training work needed to involve a confidence overhaul while talking to sports psychologists and the team pastor. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 31, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Whether Luke Altmyer knew it at the time or not, some of his Illini teammates were paying just as much attention to him late in the 2023 season as the backup quarterback as when he began as the starter. 

When it was determined by Illini head coach Bret Bielema that John Paddock would be the starting quarterback for the Illini when they played at Iowa and in the season finale against Northwestern, Patrick Bryant knew the next few days of closed practices were going to be worth monitoring. 

All Football Bowl Subdivision teams will be given the option of using coach-to-player communications through the helmet of one player on both sides of scrimmage in the 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — So far, in a classic 2024 response, the only early public mistake with Illinois’ transition to a new radio technology in the player helmets has been with a supply chain delivery issue. 

Illinois returns a third-year offensive coordinator, second-year quarterback with 18 games of experience and depth at offensive line to attack defenses in the 2024 season.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With preseason talk turns to the offense, the message being sent out of the Smith Family Football Center is one of quiet confidence. 

While not wanting to undercut his coordinators on either side of the ball, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema made it clear at Big Ten Football Media Days that if the defense fails, blame him. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — It’s pretty clear that Brett Bielema is sick and tired of hearing public criticism about the Illinois defensive coordinator spot when he feels those folks have missed the target. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 29, 2024

Good evening and welcome to the first preseason camp practice for the Illinois program for the 2023 season in the fourth campaign of Illini head coach Bret Bielema that begins under lights in Memorial Stadium.

As preseason practice begins Monday evening, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sees the personnel talent to get the Illinois running game back on track for success.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 29, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — As Bret Bielema enters his 16th preseason camp as the head coach of a power conference program, the first consistency is always that the highest priority will always revolve around the running game. 

Brooks, arguably the most significant acquisition out of the transfer portal for Illinois in the Bret Bielema era, arrives in Champaign after needing a push from his NFL alum father. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 25, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Terrance Brooks didn’t just imply or hint that he took less of a pay-for-play salary to sign with Illinois out of the transfer portal, he said the perceived quiet part out loud. 

Illinois third year outside linebacker Gabe Jacas must find himself in offensive backfields in 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 24, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — One year ago, Bret Bielema broke his long-standing rule of bringing non-seniors to the league’s media day because if he didn’t, the Illinois head coach knew Jer’Zhan Newton would be in professional football the following summer. 

Purdue will have five former Illinois coaches on its staff when the Boilermakers play at Illinois on Oct. 12 at Memorial Stadium in Walters’ first return to Champaign.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

July 23, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — At 7:30 p.m. CST on Jan. 11, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema sent out of the media release confirming the firing of linebackers coach Andy Buh and cornerbacks coach Antonio Fenelus.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert

July 23, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll have a few more 2026 notes and see how the 2025 WR group compares to the Big Ten. Hint: It’s not that bad.

Illinois fills final assistant/analyst roles for the upcoming 2024 season with the additions of Dana Dimel and Myers Hendrickson.  

July 22, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The final additions of Bret Bielema’s coaching staff for the upcoming 2024 season are former head coaches at the Division I level. 

The Illini’s fourth-year head coach announced Monday the hiring of Dana Dimel as a senior offensive assistant and Myers Hendrickson as a senior analyst.