Football

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema views reports of Michigan personnel scouting games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign before their 2022 contest as ‘sickening’ and ‘disgusting’ behavior. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 9, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema wanted to make it very clear he’s not happy about the idea of University of Michigan football personnel being at Memorial Stadium to scout games.

The former Michigan football staffer at the center of […]

IlliniGuys will dissect and get the perspective from multiple people involved before and during the play resulting in the 46-yard game-winning touchdown pass from John Paddock to Isaiah Williams

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 8, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — It’s not often that one play is the focus of this piece but it’s also a rarity that the key components of a miraculous game-winning play are so open in detailing the ins and outs of what might be remembered as one of the remarkable endings to a recent football game regarding the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 7, 2023

The Fighting Illini are down to their last running back, although the season started with six on the depth chart. All were injured but true freshman Kaden Feagin; from all indications, the only backfield mate who could join Feagin again this season might be Reggie Love.

While Illinois head coach Bret Bielema wouldn’t confirm if quarterback Luke Altmyer was medically cleared for contact, Bielema was encouraged Altmyer would be active Saturday versus Indiana.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 6, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema has been encouraged by what he’s seen in the progress regarding the health of his starting quarterback. 

Luke Altmyer, who has started all of the previous nine games this season for Illinois, has given the football training staff and his head football coach preliminary indications he’ll be active Saturday to make the start against Indiana. 

Two months after verbally committing to Illinois, Trey Petty and his mother give IlliniGuys.com their perspective to his attendance at Ole Miss and Mississippi State summer football prospect camps. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 31, 2023

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Trey Petty knew he was likely to garner attention this past July with his attendance at recruiting events at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State. And in most instances, the 18-year-old didn’t particularly care too much.

Not many defensive linemen can affect just one half the way Illinois’ Jer'Zhan Newton accomplished on Saturday, but he was able to flip the momentum in Illinois’ 27-26 victory at Minnesota.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 5, 2023

MINNEAPOLIS — And here’s Johnny. 

After 30 minutes of play at Huntington Bank Stadium, arguably the best defensive player in college football was unleashed from his first-half penalty. The most pleasant thing for Illinois head coach Bret Bielema to watch in the halftime locker room was watching Jer'Zhan “Johnny” Newton put his shoulder pads and helmet on to begin to go to work and make an impact on this college football game in a way no other player Saturday could do.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 5, 2023

Illinois' win on Saturday is going to be one that Illini fans recount for generations to come. John Paddock put his name on the same list as David Reisner (PSU 2014) and Johnny Johnson (Michigan 1993) as players who put their best foot forward at the best possible time. 

John Paddock wanted to play his final year of college football at the place his family carved out a legacy and the sixth-year backup quarterback just created his own memory in a 27-26 win at Minnesota. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 4, 2023

MINNEAPOLIS — The discussion now becomes a nature versus nurture debate whether John Paddock was born for a moment like he experienced Saturday or if he was properly prepared to seize the opportunity. 

Minnesota looked to have its first ever win over a Bret Bielema program, until John Paddock led Illinois to a dramatic comeback victory in front of a stunned Gophers crowd. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 4, 2023

MINNEAPOLIS — The first career touchdown pass for Illinois quarterback John Paddock was a memorable one. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 4, 2023

Illinois is looking to add speed to its outside game and getting playmakers who can separate themselves from defenders appears to be an area of concern moving forward.

November 4, 2023 Everyone missed their game prediction for […]

Illinois’ goal through the first 30 minutes of play on Saturday is to hang on defensively before arguably the nation’s most dominant defensive lineman, Jer'Zhan Newton, returns from suspension. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 4, 2023

Illinois at Minnesota

Date/Time/Place: Sunday, Nov. 4, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minn.

Surface: Field Turf

Capacity: 50,805

Records: Illinois 3-5, 1-4 in Big Ten; Minnesota 5-3, 3-2 in Big Ten

Betting Line: Minnesota by 3

Series notes: Minnesota leads the all-time series 40-32-3 but Illinois has won the last two matchups and Illini head coach Bret Bielema is 9-0 all-time against the Gophers. 

TV: Big Ten Network; Connor Onion (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color analyst), and Elise Menaker (sideline reporter).

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 (388), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

(Editor's Note: Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears on […]

(From the Illinois Sports Information Department)   CHAMPAIGN, Ill. […]