Football

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 6, 2023

The beginning of the college football season has officially started tailgating, giving up your Saturday afternoons, and watching the games themselves.

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

September 6, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll continue to update on QB Trey Petty and have an update on a 2025 to watch.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry both insist on keeping the snap counts down for All-American linemen Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 5, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The snaps conservation plan for Illinois’ preseason All-American duo of defensive line will likely continue against Kansas. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 5, 2023

Illinois has close contacts with local football prep Myson Johnson-Cook from Decatur MacArthur, Illinois.

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

Jalon Daniels, the preseason Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year selection, was held out of action last week against Missouri State due to an ongoing back injury.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2023

Illinois might want to prepare to see the 2023 debut of the preseason offensive player of the year selection in the Big 12 Conference. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stated Monday that all of the medical scans for All-Big Ten offensive lineman Isaiah Adams were negative days before a Friday night tilt at Kansas. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — All signs are pointing toward Illinois having all of the pieces of its starting offensive line Friday night at Kansas. 

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 4, 2023

Cover photo courtesy Steve Snider, IlliniGuys

I'm sorry to report that my second and third watching of the line play from the Illini in the opening week's win against Toledo was no better than what you all saw live on Saturday night.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. found a script to give Luke Altmyer confidence but couldn’t find consistency off-script in the run game.

Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 3, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. puts an extreme amount of time into his script of predetermined play calls that he showcases at the beginning of games.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

September 3, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Steve Snider)

Luke A can sling it……the Illini have a QB that can really throw the ball. Outside of one poor decision, I’m not sure he could have played much better in his opening game as an Illini. The ball was repeatedly on target and found the hands of his receivers. He also found favorable matchups and stood up and threw into the face of some big hits. He can run too, but I’m not sure if his body will hold up if they run him too much. But the Illini need to get the running game going. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 3, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Luke Altmyer can't ever honestly comment on what he saw on the 4th-and-4 prayer of a pass once the football left his right hand on a game-saving 34-yard completion.

The Illinois quarterback didn’t actually see Casey Washington come up with the floater of the pass with about two minutes remaining. It was a moment where he had to just hear it.  

With every member of the Illinois program staring down a 28-27 deficit and preparing to embrace what would’ve likely been the biggest momentum halt of the Bret Bielema era, Altmyer sent up what he called a prayer to his trusted senior wide receiver. With Toledo defensive end Terrance Taylor taking the Illini quarterback to the turf, Altmyer had to rely on most of the announced crowd of 48,898 to realize his prayer was answered. 

“I didn’t see much,” Altmyer said with a smile.

The formula for wins in a Bret Bielema administration is clear and regardless of everybody else philosophy in the current era of college football, the Illini aren’t changing - and shouldn’t. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 2, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Steve Snider/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It’s past time to embrace Bret Bielema’s Football 101 class at the University of Illinois. 

Rushing yards - rushing yards allowed + defensive quarterback pressures multiplied by the turnover margin divided by unforced penalties and special teams errors = win. 

The 30-28 season-opening win over defending Mid-American Conference champion Toledo that was in doubt until the final seconds wasn’t filled with as many highlight-worthy plays until the huge Luke Altmyer-Casey Washington 4th down pitch and catch to keep the game-winning drive alive. Nobody on the home sideline cared one bit including the program’s third-year head coach. Purdue had a bunch of highlights earlier on Saturday and 8.5 yards per passing attempt in its 39-35 home loss to Fresno State. Anybody think Ryan Walters is having a lot of fun in West Lafayette right now? Didn’t think so. 

Bret Bielema is having a good time in Champaign playing complimentary football with a scientific procedure you don’t need a calculator, protractor or microscope to complete.

By IlliniGuys Staff September 2, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Jim Leonhard has completed his first game week as an Illinois senior football analyst and IlliniGuys.com looks at what he might do and can do to help Bret Bielema’s program.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

Cover photo courtesy Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

September 2, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — At the point this piece is published, Jim Leonhard has already started his first three-day weekend in Madison, Wisconsin following his first game week as a University of Illinois employee. 

September 2, 2023 The Illini open against a defending […]