The Farrell Files Illinois - Good News of the Maryland Game
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
October 16, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at the good news of the Maryland game but some bad news in the 2025 class.
‘C5 is poise amongst all the noise’: Mental Roller Coaster For Caleb Griffin Ends With Game-Winner
On Thursday, Illinois sixth-year kicker Caleb Griffin was attending a funeral of a beloved family member. On Saturday, the Danville native was all smiles after a walk-off 43-yard field goal.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
October 15, 2023
COLLEGE PARK, Md.— The only temporary numbing agent for the emotional low Caleb Griffin had been feeling all week was the moment that presented itself on Saturday evening.
Sturdy's Soliloquy - Maryland Rewind
Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio
October 15, 2023
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. The Illini football looked dead in the water at 2-4 after losses to a pair of programs with first year head coaches, games that they looked lost and put of sync on both sides of the football, so to expect a win as a 13.5-point underdog at 5-1 Maryland was certainly a big ask.
Illini’s Past, Present & Future All Collide in Surprise Win
While Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was trying to get his players to forget about the past, the present and future collided to lift the Illini to victory.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
October 15, 2023
COLLEGE PARK, Md.— Bret Bielema’s plan on Saturday was right out of the Old Testament as the little children shall lead them.
Ked's Focus Marcus Domask
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
October 15, 2023
My projected number three major contributor for this year's men's basketball team that should play a major role in Illinois' success this season is Southern Illinois fifth-year transfer Marcus Domask.
Illini’s Special K - Kaden Feagin Leads Illini Run Game to Victory at Maryland
After a month of trying to find an offensive identity, Illinois may have discovered exactly who they are with freshman tailback Kaden Feagin carrying the football.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
October 14, 2023
COLLEGE PARK, Md.— In the midst of his first season as the Illinois head football coach, Bret Bielema began and finished a staff meeting with the topic being a teenager who just got his driver's license.
Illini Break Through With A Late-Game Thriller at Maryland
By IlliniGuys Staff October 14, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]
IlliniGuys Predictions Illini at Maryland
October 14, 2023 IlliniGuy Larry was the one person […]
Bielema Turning To Tailback Youth Movement at Maryland
With as many as three injured tailbacks removed from the depth chart, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is turning to two gems of the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
October 14, 2023
Illinois at Purdue
Date/Time/Place: Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland
Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 51,802
Records: Illinois 2-4, 0-3 in Big Ten; Maryland 5-1, 2-1 in Big Ten
Betting Line: Maryland by 14
Series notes: Maryland has won both games in this series. In 2018, Maryland defeated the Illini 63-33 in College Park and the Terrapins won 20-17 in 2021 in Champaign in come-from-behind fashion.
TV: NBC; Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (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.
CHAMPAIGN — With as many as three injuries depleting the tailback depth chart, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema now must likely turn to a youth movement to revive a rushing attack near the bottom of the Big Ten Conference.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Possible Decommit & Big Ten Analysis
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
October 13, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at rumors of another possible decommitment and my weekly analysis of the Big Ten.
Getting To Know The Maryland Terrapins
(Editor's Note: Maryland reporter George Gerbo of the Washington […]
Bielema Will Not Take Over Play-Calling Duties From Coordinators
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has always made it a mission to not undermine his coordinators and assistants and isn’t going to start now just because Illini are 2-4 in 2023.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
October 11, 2023
CHAMPAIGN — Since being announced as the head coach successor to Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin nearly 18 years ago, Bret Bielema has made it a point not to overtake the responsibilities of his coordinators.
The Farrell Files Illinois - Timing is Everything for a Decommitment
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
October 11, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at why the recent decommitment from OL Caleb Pyfrom isn’t a huge deal.
‘We can’t live in the defense we ran last year’: Illini’s Aaron Henry Finding Adversity In First Season As Defensive Boss
Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry has admitted to struggling to find a proper adaption to the 2023 defensive unit with younger, inexperienced talent.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
October 10. 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN — The message being immediately sent by veteran defensive Illinois players after the loss at Kansas is now being reinforced by this Illinois coaching staff following a 2-4 start to the 2023 season.
Last year is gone. And it can’t be replicated in the same way.
Following the team’s second straight loss and third straight Big Ten Conference loss, Illinois first-year defensive coordinator Aaron Henry presented the harsh reality to fans of the program that NFL secondary pieces Devon Witherspoon, Sydney Brown and Jartavius Martin aren’t ever walking through the Smith Family Football Complex ever again in an Illini football jersey. Neither are leading tackler Issac Darkangelo, sixth-year senior safety Kendall Smith and nose tackle Calvin Avery.
2024 Offensive Lineman Caleb Pyfrom De-Commits from Illini
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting
October 10, 2023
The Fighting Illini football program had as much buzz around the program as one could expect. Athletic director Josh Whitman proudly put his chest out with 10,000 new season ticket holders.
But now reality has set in; the team is 2-4, and one pass away from being 1-5. Senior wideout Casey Washington made a game-saving catch to keep a drive alive against Toledo in game one which Illinois won 30-28.
Time to be realistic here. Illinois is having a dismal season, and it is starting to have an effect on recruiting.
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