Football

(Editor's note: Rich Scarcella appears on this week's edition of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show, which can be heard in six states on more than 20 radio affiliates in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. https://illiniguys.com/radio/)

(Cover photo courtesy Penn State Athletics)

Rich Scarcella is a Penn State beat writer for the Reading Eagle who appeared on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show this week. (Courtesy IlliniGuys)

September 16, 2023

Larry Smith: Rich Scarcella is a beat writer for the Reading Eagle and writes for seven other papers in southeast Pennsylvania. Rich, welcome to the show. Glad you're with us.

Rich Scarcella:  Thanks for having me, Larry. I appreciate being with you guys.

LS: We've been on this road before, right? Two years ago, Illinois struggling, they go to take on a highly ranked Penn State team. We said there's no way in the world that this is a surprise win. And we got a surprise in record fashion. Any concern right now that history could repeat itself?

RS:  I'm sure there's concern. It's a road game. It's Penn State's first road game of the year. Illinois  went into the season with a very stout defense. They haven't played that way in the first two games. I think Penn State has a lot of respect for Illinois and expects a very close game.

Brad Sturdy:  When you look at this matchup, what do you see here? I mean, could Penn State trouble from Illinois?

RS:  Well, for Penn State it's the third game, but it's the first time they're going to be seeing a dual threat quarterback with Luke Altmyer.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 15, 2023

This weekend is the weekend for several of the Illinois athletic programs in terms of recruiting for the football team; men's and women's basketball teams are all expected to bring some of the top prospects in the country. Saturday head football Bret Bielema's football team will take on the seventh-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. 

*Here is our list of players which is subject to change; when that happens, we will update our list*

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

September 15, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll break down my thoughts on the Big Ten and what the Illini need to show recruits against Penn State.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 14, 2023

One of the most underrated recruits on the Illinois campus this fall was Broderick Shull, a 2025 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive from Bixby, Oklahoma.

Following the 34-23 loss at Kansas, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema said Thursday he’s a bit surprised at the media reports in the last few days.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 14, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — One of the top missions for Bret Bielema is to not allow the outing at Kansas to beat his Illinois football program more than once. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 14, 2023

Sure, there is a big football game taking place this weekend at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Illinois tight end room has graded well by new positional coach Robby Discher and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. - who was a tight end coach at Arkansas under Bret Bielema.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 13, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Griffin Moore believed eventually these moments would come in his collegiate career and recognizes his time is now. 

September 13, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Iowa Athletics) Week […]

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

September 13, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, QB commit Trey Petty breaks his silence and DE Dylan Stephenson visits.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 12, 2023

Running the football is Illinois head coach Bret Bielema's staple; it has made him successful, and he probably will not deviate too much from doing it. 

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said the last 24-48 hours following the loss at Kansas has involved uncomfortable and emotional conversations inside Smith Family Football Complex.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 12, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Since the plane touched back down at Willard Airport late on Friday night, the conversations surrounding Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and his defensive staff haven’t been pleasant. 

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

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 10, 2023

We told you when the visit came during the football game, we would keep you covered with recruits coming to campus.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. stated Monday that the Illini’s inability to score points in the first four drives at Kansas dictated a near impossible situation. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 11, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Through the first four possessions at Kansas, the Illinois offense had no points, 42 total yards and just one first down. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 11, 2023

Illinois football has become very good at finding talent that a lot of schools do not feel comfortable enough yet to offer. What head coach Bret Bielema and staff do well is identify talent, take calls from high school coaches, who know players may have been overlooked, check game film, then attend games. If they are good enough, they will get visits and, hopefully, turn into offers.