Football

Despite not being the talk of preseason camp, Illinois freshman tailback Ca'Lil Valentine proved to be a big factor in the Illini’s 23-17 victory over then-No. 19 Kansas last weekend. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a blowout victory over Eastern Illinois in his college football debut, Ca'Lil Valentine had just six snaps of action and four carries to run out the clock while the score was already 45-0.

Josh Whitman and Bret Bielema are both in sync on the idea that Illinois should have among its program goals to be in the mix for a 12-team College Football Playoff berth. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — According to both men, there is rarely a day that goes by where Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman and Illini head football coach Bret Bielema don’t talk. 

Illinois Athletics September 10, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois cornerback Xavier […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 10, 2024

Champaign, IL. – JJ Finch, a three-star recruit from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, was one of several high-profile recruits visiting Illinois this past weekend. Although Finch’s current rankings may not fully reflect his talent and offer list, he is the top-ranked player in Indiana for the Class of 2026.

Illinois third-year defensive back Xavier Scott’s development may properly define the Illini’s mentality as a developmental program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For Xavier Scott, seeing really is believing. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 9, 2024

This one will always be known as the "Xavier Scott game". Illinois got a huge win on Saturday in Illinois' first sellout win in the last 8 attempts.

Illinois Athletics September 9, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois cornerback Xavier […]

We look at how Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry was able to change the picture pre and post-snap for Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 9, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The 365-day turnaround from how Kansas took advantage of an opposing play-caller in his third game calling the Illinois defense to get a win last season to Aaron Henry figuring a plan in January and tweaking that plan at halftime to get a win in 2024 is nearly mesmerizing if it wasn’t reality. 

1,358 days ago, Bret Bielema was hired to become the 26th head coach in Illini football history and in his 39th game, his team created an history moment that eventually program turnarounds point towards. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 9, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The first word Bret Bielema used in the post-game locker room Saturday night to describe what his players, coaches and himself had just accomplished was “earned”. 

IlliniGuys Staff September 8, 2024 Here are graphics depicting […]

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports […]

By IlliniGuys Staff September 7, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 7, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – It's primetime, it's on FS1, it's sold out, and it's an orange-out tonight at Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Illini are set to face the 19th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in a highly anticipated matchup.

Several key players on this 2024 Illinois roster remember […]

In a 28-10 win over Illinois Class 4A powerhouse Rochester, Carson Boyd showed natural athleticism and natural leadership at the quarterback position. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 7, 2024

ROCHESTER, Ill. — If you didn’t know the young man better, one might actually use the noun of boredom to describe the playing mentality of Carson Boyd.