Football

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

October 1, 2023

The Illini were embarrassed on Saturday in West Lafayette by a 44-19 score that showed all of the flaws of the Illini offense and defense and shocked Illini fans. Ryan Walters got the better of Bret Bielema in their first head to head meeting since Walters took over at Purdue and the Illini will need to figure things out quickly before Nebraska comes to town on Friday night. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema not only lost to his former coordinator Ryan Walters but lost big in just the fifth career game for Purdue’s new leader and Bielema’s newest big problem. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 30, 2023

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Welcome to the worst-case scenario for Bret Bielema’s tenure at Illinois. 

There’re no public relations washing that will eliminate the stain and stench of what occurred over 60 minutes of action in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. 

By IlliniGuys Staff

September 30, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue scored three touchdowns in the 3rd quarter while its defense baffled Illinois into five quarterback sacks and just one second half score to post a dominating 44-19 victory in the first Big Ten West division game for both teams.

Illinois (2-3, 0-2) came into the weekend hoping to erase the inconsistent play that plagued them in their first four contests, but found themselves again playing catchup after halftime against the defending division champs who had won just one of their first four games under new head coach Ryan Walters.  The 19 points allowed mark a season-low for the Purdue defense.

September 30, 2023 The Illini visit 1-3 Purdue for […]

After Hudson Card’s official visit at Illinois concluded, new Purdue head coach Ryan Walters decided to pick up the transfer portal quarterback at his old employer.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 30, 2023

Illinois at Purdue

Date/Time/Place: Friday, Sept. 30, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.

Surface: Natural Grass

Capacity: 57,282

Records: Illinois 2-2, 0-1 in Big Ten; Purdue 1-3, 0-1 in Big Ten

Betting Line: Even

Series notes: Purdue leads all-time series 47-45-6. Purdue has won the last three matchups and Illini head coach Bret Bielema was 5-0 all-time against Purdue before arriving in Champaign but has now lost two in a row.

TV: Big Ten Network; Brendan Burke (play-by-play), Michael Robinson (analyst), and Zora Stephenson (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 (381), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

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When asked about the most memorable thing about his official visit to Illinois while in the transfer portal, Hudson Card was absolutely honest. 

(Editor's note - Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show each week, presented by HX Home Solutions)

Larry Smith - Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas joins us each week presented by HX Home Solutions.  Gabe, I know don't want to talk about former Illini defensive coordinator and current Purdue head coach Ryan Walters going into this game, but this has got to be a little extra umph. To go up against the guy who used to be your boss.

Gabe Jacas - Yeah, like everyone wants to talk about it. But you know, in my head, like, we're not playing the coaches, we're playing the players. So just want to keep that in mind. I'm not trying to make this game personal. You know, I think Ryan Walters is an incredible coach. A great person, so just want to leave that nonsense out and just play football, one of the things I love to do.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

September 27, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Testudo Times) What […]

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.

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. 

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

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?’”