The Farrell Files Illinois - Recruiting Swerves
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
September 29, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll share what I’m hearing on a couple of committed players Bret Bielema is targeting and give my weekly Big Ten thoughts.
Illini Coaches “Feeling Pretty Good” With Reggie Love’s Health For Saturday at Purdue
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirms Reggie Love was participating in half of Wednesday’s practice and was intentionally sat out of Thursday’s practice session.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 28, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The starting tailback for Illinois has apparently shown enough this week in practice that Bret Bielema likes where his health status currently sits for this weekend.
Bielema confirmed to local media on Thursday that Reggie Love III, who missed most of the second half of the 23-17 victory over Florida Atlantic this past Saturday with an undisclosed injury, participated in approximately half of the team’s Wednesday practice.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Grayson Hurley
Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
September 28, 2023
Indiana athlete Grayson Hurley visits Illinois, and, like most potential recruits, came away in awe of the football experience on GameDay.
‘Give me a thousand Kenenna’s’: Illini’s Odelunga Proving To Be Weapon At Multiple Positions
No matter where he lines up at Illinois, Kenenna Odeluga is proving his coaches correct in signing him and now giving him more and more playing time.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 27, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Kenenna Odeluga is a player where his position listed on the roster doesn’t do him justice to describe his value.
The roster, which is provided by the University of Illinois athletics department, lists the South Holland, Ill. native as a linebacker but Illini head coach Bret Bielema thinks it's much simpler and more complicated at the same time.
Around The Big Ten - September 27th
September 27, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Testudo Times) What […]
The Farrell Files Illinois - Petty and 2025 Prospects
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
September 27, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll provide a rumor about QB commit Trey Petty and also have a couple updates on some 2025 prospects to keep an eye on.
Friendly Rivalry Between Illini & Boilermakers Staffs Finally Hits Saturday
The two sidelines at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday will feature folks who still consider themselves good friends but will face off for the first time since Ryan Walters left Illinois for Purdue’s head coaching position.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 26, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It was 644 days ago when three University of Illinois football assistant coaches sat courtside at Scottrade Center for the annual Braggin’ Rights men’s basketball decked out in orange and blue.
Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Improvements Required
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Bielema’s Saturday Night Call to Luke Altmyer - “I didn’t want him to go to bed Saturday worried about being the starting QB”
After having challenges with his head coach nearly every step of the way at Ole Miss, Luke Altmyer found his new head coach at Illinois to be a reason for his bounceback performance.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 25, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Even after a four interception performance against Penn State, it seemed like Bret Bielema wanted to handle Luke Altmyer the exact opposite way he experienced head coaching behavior at his previous stop.
The Illini third-year head coach, while sitting down at his house next to his wife Jen watching evening college football games that night, wanted to place a phone call to Altmyer to start the confidence building of his quarterback immediately.
Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) rebounded from the Penn State debacle to put together his best game as a collegian against Florida Atlanta on Saturday (photo courtesy Illinois Athletics).
“I didn’t want him to go to bed worried about being the starting quarterback,” Bielema said following the game on Saturday. “I was putting my daughters to bed and watching a little college football…and I didn’t want him to put his head on the pillow that night thinking ‘where am I at with my coaches here?’”
The Trench Report: Florida Atlantic
Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
September 25, 2023
Raise your hand if you're happy with Illini football right now? No one? I understand. I really do. The Illini are 2-2 and have had all too close results against their two "easy" opponents. However, it's not quite as bad as you'd think.
The Farrell Files Illinois - 2025 Key Targets & Ca'lil Valentine Evaluation
Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys & Big Sports Radio National Football Recruiting Expert
September 25, 2023
(Mike Farrell also has his own website: https://mikefarrellsports.com/)
In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll update on a couple of key 2025 targets and break down the Illinois RB class vs the rest of the Big Ten.
Illinois 23, Florida Atlantic 17 - Illini Film Review - Is the Illini Identity Coming With The Younger Players?
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 24, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Normally this space is designated for specific play breakdowns to identify basic Xs and Os of what the Illinois coaches are likely going over with their players before they again hit the practice field on Tuesday morning.
However, a lot of discussion points throughout the week leading up to the Illini’s 23-17 victory over Florida Atlantic was taken up by the idea of Illinois finding some identity in all three phases of the game for the first time in the 2023 season.
Sturdy's Soliloquy - Florida Atlantic
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
September 24, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
The Illini found a way against Florida Atlantic on Saturday with a 23-17 win in a game that they didn't alleviate a lot of fears. However, the rest of the Big Ten West also looks like a group of flawed teams and the real season begins next week at Purdue.
Okay…the 2023 Illini Football Season Evaluation Begins Now
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst
September 23, 2023
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Okay, the preseason is over. The 2023 season for Illinois begins now.
Yes, I know Illinois has played four games throughout the month of September but they might as well have been preseason contests because none of the goals inside the Smith Family Football Complex have yet to be challenged in any way.
The losses at Kansas and to No. 7 Penn State are practically irrelevant to the goals this program set out to achieve.
Illini Rally From Early Deficit To Turn Away Florida Atlantic
By IlliniGuys Staff (Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics) CHAMPAIGN, […]
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