Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Is Oregon an Illini Turning Point, Illini Exhibition Reaction & B1G Football Tiers
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Heat Checks & Hail Marys - Is Oregon an Illini Turning Point, Illini Exhibition Reaction & B1G Football Tiers
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Illini Tackling Problem Leads to Miserable First Half Performance
Oregon’s ability to avoid first open-field tackle leads to forgettable first 30 minutes from Illinois defense in blowout loss in Pacific Northwest.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
October 27, 2024
EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon’s offense needed just one missed tackle to showcase its track-level tempo and Illinois certainly allowed that speed to showcase itself.
Illini WR Pat Bryant Leaves Game With Head Injury; Future Playing Status Unknown
Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant left the game Saturday in the second half under the watch of Illini training staff after a hit to the heck area and went straight to the locker room after the hit.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
October 26, 2024
(Photos courtesy Illinois Athletics)
EUGENE, Ore. — Illinois could be without its leading receiver for the start of the final month of the season.
After receiving a hit to the head and/or neck area following a pass breakup in the fourth quarter of the 38-9 loss at No. 1 Oregon, Pat Bryant was immediately taken off the field by Illinois training staff and taken straight to the visiting locker room. The fourth-year receiver, who came into Saturday leading the Illini with 31 receptions for 484 yards and seven touchdowns, did not return to the game.
Oregon’s 38-9 Punishment of Illinois Easily Summed Up: Ducks Have Dudes; Illini Need Them
Oregon’s nationwide recruiting brand has allowed Dan Lanning’s meteoric rise and the Ducks showed Illinois Saturday what a No. 1 ranked program should, could and does look like.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
October 26, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
EUGENE, Ore. — Well, it’s official. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what a number one ranked team looks like.
And in so many different ways, it’s critical that Bret Bielema’s Illini saw what that kind of creature looks, acts and behaves like. Identification is, of course, the first step toward possible elimination in the future.
#20 Illini Run Into Buzzsaw At Top-Ranked Oregon, 38-9
By IlliniGuys Staff October 26, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Bielema Applauded Lanning’s Rulebook Manipulation vs. Ohio State
As somebody who 16 years ago intentionally manipulated the […]
IlliniGuys Predictions - Illinois at Oregon
October 26, 2024 The Illini repeated the events of […]
Holmes Thriving in New Defensive Line Role in Seventh Year With Illini
After seven years and a coaching staff change, Illinois defensive line coach Terrance Jamison finally got seventh-year player Ezekiel Holmes to thrive in his positional group.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
October 25, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Terrance Jamison is one of the few people inside Illinois’ Smith Family Football Complex that remembers what Ezekiel Holmes looked like as a 17-year-old in 2017.
Seven years later, Holmes has been through one head coaching change, four defensive coordinator changes, six positional coach changes and two undergraduate degrees (graduated from the University of Illinois with degrees in sociology in Aug. 2022) and communication in Dec. 2023).
Amongst all this change, Jamison, the current Illinois defensive line coach since Jan. 2021, finally got his chance to coach the young man he met as a high school junior at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - One of the Nation's Top Tight Ends Takes in Michigan Game: Mack Sutter
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
October 25, 2024
Champaign, IL – In recent weeks, the Fighting Illini football program has hosted some of the nation's top recruits on campus, and the recent Michigan game was the perfect opportunity to bring in top prospects. Illinois secured a 21-7 victory over the Wolverines in a statement game all across Illini Nation.
Heat Checks & Hail Marys – Believe in Bielema, Good Thing the Super League Looks Dead & B1G Team Tiers
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Illini Film Review: No. 22 Illinois 21, No. 24 Michigan 7 - No Playbook, No Problem For Illini Defense
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.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Rising 2026 QB & Another Possible Flip
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.
Around The Big Ten - October 22nd
October 22, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Yahoo Sports)
Here's a look at some of the top headlines around the Big Ten:
All in a Non-Look: Why Gabe Jacas Knew Michigan’s Offensive Tackles Couldn’t Handle Him
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.
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