Football

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, IL. – GameDay Saturday brings the nation's 19th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks to campus, giving the Illini a chance to redeem themselves from last year's 34-23 loss in Lawrence, Kansas.

Not only is the game sold out for a 6 p.m. CT kickoff, but it’s also a "Hail to the Orange Out"—all fans are encouraged to wear orange for Saturday's game. The Illinois coaching staff knows this matchup is significant on several levels, with the future of the program potentially in attendance.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema jokes that if his morning coffee barista isn’t talking about Saturday’s sellout crowd inside Memorial Stadium this weekend, it isn’t a focal point of his world.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 5, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked about the upcoming matchup this weekend against No. 19 Kansas was a sellout, Bret Bielema admitted to literally and figuratively being in the dark to anything that occurs outside the Smith Family Football Complex. 

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

September 5, 2024

(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a few commits who will be on hand recruiting for the Illini during the Kansas game, rank 2025 DE commit Erik Gayle vs the industry and look at how the LBs stack up against the Big Ten.

Both Kansas and Illinois have built their programs with Midwest-based head coaches establishing a physicality and diversity in the run game.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While it will not obviously be counted as a conference game, Saturday night’s matchup at Memorial Stadium should remind folks of an old-school Big Ten Conference matchup.

For some many different reasons, this Saturday’s matchup vs. No. 19 Kansas can serve as a momentum shift for the rest of Illinois’ 2024 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When it’s rather difficult to exactly put a finger on one reason for the importance of a given event, you can usually guarantee it has a high level of significance. 

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry tells local media that Terrance Brooks is intentionally not in the Illini’s starting lineup and the transfer from Texas is not hurt.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 3, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Add Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry to the list of people publicly saying that Terrance Brooks not being in the Illini’s starting 11 on defense is a performance-based issue. 

Brad Sturdy, Illini Insider and Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

September 3, 2024

The Illini did exactly what they needed to do last week when they dismantled EIU 45-0, but now they face the daunting task that is the Kansas offense and Quarterback Jalon Daniels. But before we get to that, let’s talk about EIU. 

We were looking for 5 things heading into the game against the Panthers, and for the most part, we saw that.

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said Monday he’s likely rewatched the 34-23 loss at Kansas last year “over a hundred times” to review his mistakes in preparation. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 2, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Over a hundred times. 

This is how many times Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry says he’s watched film of his team’s 34-23 loss at Kansas in the second week of last season.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst September 2, 2024 Welcome […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – On a late weeknight, the Illinois football program hosted fewer high school visitors than usual on campus, but a larger turnout is expected on Saturday when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks.

The 2024 season opener on Thursday night was the first time Illinois wide receivers learned they’ll be receiving a hand-written letter as part of their position coach’s special pre-game ritual. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 1, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — While trying to calm himself down in the lobby of the team hotel on Thursday afternoon before his first game of the 2024 season, Pat Bryant was tapped on the shoulder by his position coach.  

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

August 31, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a key 2027 visitor for Thursday night, rank DE Cameron Brooks vs the industry and show how the Illini DL stacks up against the Big Ten.

Illinois sophomore wide receiver Malik Elzy had what could be a defining evening in every facet of his game as he begins his second year of college football. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 31, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The season opener of the 2024 season could be the moment most folks point toward when the career arc of Malik Elzy began to curve up at the collegiate level. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema suggests in post-game media conference that key transfer portal addition needs to “continue to do things the right way and with consistency” to earn a starter role.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When asked about his program’s most impactful transfer portal additions in the offseason, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema did not confirm a reason for Terrance Brooks’ lack of playing time in the 2024 season opener on Thursday night. 

If the 45-0 win over Eastern Illinois is any evidence to the future plans, Illinois coaches are planning to line up third-year pass rusher Gabe Jacas in all kinds of ways. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 30, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Despite an announced crowd of 43,849 and a Big Ten Network audience all seeing Gabe Jacas consistently put his hand on the ground in a defensive lineman stance, his head coach wants everybody to believe nothing has changed.