Football

Illinois’ goal through the first 30 minutes of play on Saturday is to hang on defensively before arguably the nation’s most dominant defensive lineman, Jer'Zhan Newton, returns from suspension. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 4, 2023

Illinois at Minnesota

Date/Time/Place: Sunday, Nov. 4, 2023: 2:30 p.m. CST, Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minn.

Surface: Field Turf

Capacity: 50,805

Records: Illinois 3-5, 1-4 in Big Ten; Minnesota 5-3, 3-2 in Big Ten

Betting Line: Minnesota by 3

Series notes: Minnesota leads the all-time series 40-32-3 but Illinois has won the last two matchups and Illini head coach Bret Bielema is 9-0 all-time against the Gophers. 

TV: Big Ten Network; Connor Onion (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color analyst), and Elise Menaker (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 (388), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

(Editor's Note: Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears on […]

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Illinois is likely to get back two veteran pieces from the injured reserve list as defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. and tailback Reggie Love III are expected to be active at Minnesota.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff writer

October 31, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois coaches gave hints that both sides of the football could see a return from a veteran leader for the following game. 

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

October 30, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at a new key offer in the 2025 class and have more on QB commit Trey Petty.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 29, 2023

Illinois has one very loyal committed prep entering the class of 2024, Angelo McCullom, a defensive lineman from Lewis Center, Ohio. He has made the 276-mile trip to Champaign over four times now.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Cover Photo Courtesy Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys

October 28, 2023

Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema told the media on the day he was hired that he plans to stay in Champaign, build a house, and raise his kids in the community.

With Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and Illini offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. on the sidelines Friday night, the program’s 2024 class verbal commitment at quarterback was more than impressive.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 28, 2023

STARKVILLE, Miss. — With a live audience including the two Illinois coaches who primarily recruited him, Trey Petty displayed all the physical qualities that led him to be the program’s 2024 class verbal pledge at quarterback. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 28, 2023

Freshman Myson Johnson-Cook visited Illinois once again for the Wisconsin game. Each time the 6'3", 205 pound, Decatur, Illinois, youngster visits the campus, the more and more he learns and becomes in awe of his home state university.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. built a fruitful pipeline in Starkville, Mississippi as the Illini plan to enroll the last two starting quarterbacks from that town’s high school. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 27, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

STARKVILLE, Miss. —  Barry Lunney Jr.’s two big recruiting wins since arriving at Illinois have both come from building a pipeline in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. 

In late December, three days before the Illini would play in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, Luke Altmyer announced his intention to transfer to Illinois from Ole Miss. The Illinois offensive coordinator was the host of Altmyer’s recruiting visit to the campus earlier in Dec. 2022 to make an impact with his southern roots, family and his promise to development Altmyer, who was a former four-star prospect coming out of Starkville High School, on the football field after the quarterback’s less than enjoyable experience in two seasons at Ole Miss under head coach Lane Kiffin. 

After securing the Illini’s present (and future because of Altmyer’s three years of eligibility), Lunney secured his first significant recruiting victory of a high school prospect at the quarterback position in the form of a verbal pledge of current Starkville High’s Trey Petty.

Despite playing a significant amount of his 66 snaps Saturday with his hand in the ground, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema insists Gabe Jacas isn’t moving to a new position. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 26, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Bret Bielema doesn’t want to hear more talk that Gabe Jacas is changing positions. 

October 26, 2023 2nd ranked Michigan has the week […]