Football

After having challenges with his head coach nearly every step of the way at Ole Miss, Luke Altmyer found his new head coach at Illinois to be a reason for his bounceback performance. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 25, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Even after a four interception performance against Penn State, it seemed like Bret Bielema wanted to handle Luke Altmyer the exact opposite way he experienced head coaching behavior at his previous stop. 

The Illini third-year head coach, while sitting down at his house next to his wife Jen watching evening college football games that night, wanted to place a phone call to Altmyer to start the confidence building of his quarterback immediately. 

Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) rebounded from the Penn State debacle to put together his best game as a collegian against Florida Atlanta on Saturday (photo courtesy Illinois Athletics).

“I didn’t want him to go to bed worried about being the starting quarterback,” Bielema said following the game on Saturday. “I was putting my daughters to bed and watching a little college football…and I didn’t want him to put his head on the pillow that night thinking ‘where am I at with my coaches here?’”

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 25, 2023

Raise your hand if you're happy with Illini football right now?  No one?  I understand.  I really do. The Illini are 2-2 and have had all too close results against their two "easy" opponents. However, it's not quite as bad as you'd think.

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

September 25, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll update on a couple of key 2025 targets and break down the Illinois RB class vs the rest of the Big Ten.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 24, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Normally this space is designated for specific play breakdowns to identify basic Xs and Os of what the Illinois coaches are likely going over with their players before they again hit the practice field on Tuesday morning. 

However, a lot of discussion points throughout the week leading up to the Illini’s 23-17 victory over Florida Atlantic was taken up by the idea of Illinois finding some identity in all three phases of the game for the first time in the 2023 season. 

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

September 24, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini found a way against Florida Atlantic on Saturday with a 23-17 win in a game that they didn't alleviate a lot of fears. However, the rest of the Big Ten West also looks like a group of flawed teams and the real season begins next week at Purdue.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Okay, the preseason is over. The 2023 season for Illinois begins now. 

Yes, I know Illinois has played four games throughout the month of September but they might as well have been preseason contests because none of the goals inside the Smith Family Football Complex have yet to be challenged in any way.

The losses at Kansas and to No. 7 Penn State are practically irrelevant to the goals this program set out to achieve.

By IlliniGuys Staff (Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics) CHAMPAIGN, […]

September 23, 2023 The Illini host 1-2 FAU today […]

Illinois near the bottom in nearly every statistical category that Bielema has valued throughout his 15-year head coaching career. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 23, 2023

Florida Atlantic at Illinois

Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, Memorial Stadium 

Surface: Field Turf 

Capacity: 60,670

Records: Illinois 1-2; Florida Atlantic 1-2

Betting Line: Illinois 15.5

Series notes: Illinois and FAU will meet for the first time on Saturday.

TV: Big Ten Network; Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play), Howard Griffith (analyst), and Justine Ward (sideline)

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 (158/196), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

Champaign, IL — The formula to decipher Illinois’ lackluster start to the 2023 season is one Bret Bielema was given to him 31 years ago at Iowa from his Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry. 

(Editor's Note: Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears each week on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show https://illiniguys.com/radio/)

September 22, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Larry Smith: Let's go inside the locker room now and joining us now the "IlliniGuy" -- presented by HX Home Solutions -- Gabe Jacas.  Talk to us about the feeling in the locker room coming off last week's game. No question better execution, even though you didn't get the "W".

Gabe Jacas:  Yeah, obviously we didn't get the W but from a defensive standpoint, I think we played our best game yet. Obviously, we gave up 30 points, but in the first half it was 16-7 and we're getting three and outs. You know, they weren't converting on third downs. I think we were playing as one as a group. I think we did some good things on some points of the game, but we definitely could have been better of course.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 22, 2023

Recently four-star outside linebacker Justin Hill made the trip to Illinois. The Fighting Illini will have its hands full trying to lure Hill in for a commitment, but getting the Ohio prep on campus is just what the staff needs.

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

September 22, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll talk about how the Mississippi State beat down by LSU helps Illinois, another committed visitor coming and give my thoughts on the Big Ten headed into the weekend.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 21, 2023

Illinois offensive tackle Tommy Lamberti recaps his visit with IlliniGuys about the program and where things stand with his recruitment.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema pointed to redshirt freshman wide receiver Ashton Hollins as somebody who could see a bigger role on Saturday vs. Florida Atlantic. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 21, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked Thursday about some of the youthful players that got more snaps of playing time against Penn State last weekend, one name was on Bret Bielema’s mind. 

September 21, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Associated Press) Better […]