Football

IlliniGuys.com discusses what changed from the second half performance vs. Purdue to the next week vs. Michigan and other unique situations after reviewing the 21-7 win over the Wolverines.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 23, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While it has been only 663 days since Aaron Henry was officially named the defensive coordinator and play-caller at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and it’s a safe bet the lessons will continue to keep coming.

The takeaway from Henry after reviewing what he and his defensive staff executed during the open week following loss at Penn State is they found themselves doing the one thing Henry’s boss attempts to remind each staff member and player that comes through the Smith Family Football Complex.

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

October 22, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a 2026 QB rising on the board, an update on 4-star Colorado DB commit Alex Graham after his visit and another potential flip.

October 22, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Yahoo Sports)

Here's a look at some of the top headlines around the Big Ten:

Illinois third year outside linebacker Gabe Jacas knew Saturday would be special when Michigan offensive tackle Jeffrey Persi wouldn’t look the Illini pass rusher in the eye. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 22, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In all likelihood Gabe Jacas knew the kind of game he was going to play on Saturday long before any of the sold-out crowd and his teammates. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 21, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Il. – The Illinois football program continues to build momentum, not just on the field, but on the recruiting front as well.

October 21, 2024 DALLAS (FWAA) – Florida Citrus Sports and Pop-Tarts […]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIbZEY9TP0    

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 21, 2024

This really feels like a turning point, doesn't it? Illinois just won its third straight sellout game after losing the last eight. They did it by beating Michigan for the first time in 15 years.

Illinois sophomore tailback Kaden Feagin will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing hip surgery following a practice injury nearly two weeks ago. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 20, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Kaden Feagin’s 2024 season is over. 

After suffering a injury in practice just days before the 50-49 overtime victory over Purdue on Oct. 12, the leading rusher at Illinois had surgery on his left hip Friday that will require several months of rehabilitation. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said the former four-star prospect and starting tailback on the Illini depth chart was told by the doctor, selected for the procedure after a consultation of the University of Illinois athletics department, Bielema and Feagin’s family, and Feagin’s mother Jennifer Feagin, that the procedure was successful. 

The week of his team playing Michigan is always going to be challenging for Bret Bielema but Saturday allowed him to address why that opponent conjures difficult memories in his life.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 20, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Unfortunately for Bret Bielema, the winged helmet of Michigan triggers things emotionally in the 54-year-old man that he’d rather not think about. 

Instead of ignoring or trying to hide his emotions of what playing the Wolverines program psychological means to his life, the fourth-year Ilinois head coach elected to address the matter directly in a team meeting. 

“In our first team meeting on Sunday, I told our guys that I’m battling some demons like probably more than you could ever possibly imagine,” Bielema said.

The program philosophy of Illinois fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema was never more on display more than Saturday during the 21-7 victory over Michigan. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 19, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Bret Bielema believes the domination by Illinois over the defending national champions, a two-time Big Ten Conference champion and perennial physical bully started months ago. 

In a 21-7 victory over Michigan, Illinois exemplified Bielema’s three keys for every football team in a way that was obvious. 

Key No. 1 - Run the ball. Illinois (6-1, 3-1 in Big Ten Conference), which arrived at a sold-out Champaign’s Memorial Saturday as the 12th best rushing attack in the league, had 172 rushing yards through three quarters of action on a Michigan defense that had allowed 150 on the ground to two teams in the last two years. And the name of those programs are Alabama and Penn State. 

After the 21-7 win over Michigan Saturday, Illinois is firmly in the College Football Playoff contention no matter what happens next weekend at Oregon. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 19, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The time has officially come to lose our minds. Illinois is firmly going to be in the College Football Playoff discussion throughout the following week. 

Following the 21-7 win over Michigan, Illinois is a team, that in the third week of October in the year 2024 of our Lord, needs to be taken seriously among some traditional college football blueblood programs. 

In picking up a victory in the biggest game of his 44th game since becoming the 26th head coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bret Bielema has taken Illinois to a place they haven’t been in several decades. 

By IlliniGuys Staff October 19, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

October 19, 2024 The Illini played an unexpectedly exciting […]

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is always going to […]