Football

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Ashton Hollins trusted the long-term plan of the Illinois coaches in the recruiting process and saw that patience finally begin to pay off last weekend.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 15, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Maybe the key for Ashton Hollins is what everybody initially thinks is incredibly difficult is just his normal life. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 15, 2023

The Fighting Illini are starting to look hard at the junior college route for players next year, while other programs still pursue the NCAA transfer portal.

Neither team’s defense showcased many fundamentals in the 48-45 overtime win for Illinois on Saturday but the lack of tackling basics in Aaron Henry’s group was troubling. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 14, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — In his 65 years living on this planet, Matt Millen has seen a significant amount of football. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stated Monday afternoon that he and his staff haven’t officially made a decision which quarterback will start on Saturday for the Illini at No. 23 Iowa because Luke Altmyer still doesn’t have full medical clearance.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 13, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — As far as the head football coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is concerned, his program doesn’t yet have a quarterback question to answer. 

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 13, 2023

Champaign, Ill–The visitor list for the Indiana Hoosier-Illinois game was thin, but, according to several sources, that is a good thing because most of the recruits the Illini are pursuing will be competing in the state of Illinois playoffs.

As he faces his alma mater next weekend, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema must decide between Luke Altmyer or John Paddock. And he may soon learn either decision has a lot of merit.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 12, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — In his 11-minute post-game media session, Bret Bielema knew the quarterback question was coming. 

The Illinois third-year was asked how he’s going to handle his quarterback room after John Paddock’s record-setting 507-yard passing performance and Luke Altmyer being medically cleared for contact late Friday but too late to make him active against Indiana on Saturday. 

On day where he finishes with 207 all-purpose yards, Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Williams is now second in Illinois history in career receptions with 200. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 11, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — In early May 2021, Isaiah Williams elected to move to a brand new positional group of wide receiver. 

In early November 2023, the same player has now found himself to be second all-time in career receptions in University of Illinois football history. The only more productive pass-catcher in Illini history is College Football Hall of Fame selection and former two-time All-American David Williams. 

In the 48-45 overtime victory over Indiana Saturday, Isaiah Williams made it back-to-back weekends with a game-winning touchdown catch. Both game-winning scores, the deep ball at Minnesota and the quick strike in overtime over Indiana, were the product of Williams trusting his new quarterback and his instincts after having started as a quarterback for the first 19 years of his life. 

By IlliniGuys Staff

November 11, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Walk-on John Paddock threw for a career-high 507 yards and 4 touchdowns in his 1st start as an Illini to engineer a 48-45 OT win over Indiana Saturday afternoon.

November 11, 2023 Pretty good week based on the […]

By IlliniGuys Staff November 11, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said he would feel fine in the 10th game of this season starting Luke Altmyer against Indiana despite the 21-year-old not being fully active for practice all week. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 11, 2023

Indiana at Illinois

Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023: 11 a.m. CST, Memorial Stadium, Champaign

Surface: Field Turf

Capacity: 60,670

Records: Illinois 4-5, 2-4 in Big Ten; Indiana 3-6, 1-5 in Big Ten

Betting Line: Illinois by 7

Series notes: Illinois leads the all-time series 45-25-3. Illinois leads 29-9 in games located in Champaign but have lost the last four in the series. The only time Illini head coach Bret Bielema has ever lost to Indiana was last year’s 23-20 victory for the Hoosiers on Sept. 2.

TV: Big Ten Network; Connor Onion (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color analyst) and Elise Menaker (sideline reporter)

Radio (Illinois): Brian Barnhart (PBP), Martin O'Donnell (analysis), Michael Martin (sidelines) & Steve Kelly (Pre/HT/Post) » The broadcast can be heard live on TuneIn online radio, SiriusXM (138/195), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

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CHAMPAIGN — In the mind of his head coach, by the time the calendar flips to November, Luke Altmyer’s practice time becomes less and less relevant to whether he can start and play in a game.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended by […]

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema views reports of Michigan personnel scouting games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign before their 2022 contest as ‘sickening’ and ‘disgusting’ behavior. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 9, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema wanted to make it very clear he’s not happy about the idea of University of Michigan football personnel being at Memorial Stadium to scout games.

The former Michigan football staffer at the center of […]