Football

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.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 11, 2023

I'm sure none of us are happy with the result of the Kansas and Illinois match-up last Friday. However, after re-watching the game with a closer eye on the lines, I came away with a bit more optimistic view of the Illini situation.

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

September 11, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll take a look at a few key 2025 targets and give a small update on the Trey Petty situation.

The Kansas offensive game plan on Friday night consisted of one idea: The Jayhawks didn’t think Illinois had solid linebacker or safety play. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2023

From the opening drive to their final possession of the third quarter, Kansas operated its offense with one consistent idea in mind. 

After allowing six sacks and 11 quarterback pressures Friday night at Kansas, Illinois is searching for its best combination of five offensive linemen. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 10, 2023

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Offensive line issues continue to circle the Illinois football program. 

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

September 10, 2023

The Illini took one on the chin in Lawrence on Friday night, falling to the Jayhawks 34-23. It was not as close as the final score. Kansas dominated the Illini on both sides of the ball as the Illini fell to 1-1 with #7 Penn State coming to town next weekend. Here’s a look back, starting with some positives.

September 10, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Associated Press) It […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 9, 2023

If you know one thing about the Illinois football staff, they could care less what your state rankings are or your national rankings.

After two weeks of poor starts to games, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema declares the Illini staff must look at “some things schematically” to fix critical errors in the defense.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 9, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)

LAWRENCE, Kan. — If you believe the words of the third-year head coach at the University of Illinois, a critical damage assessment is coming for the defensive unit. 

Following back-to-back weeks of poor starts to games against Toledo and in the 34-23 loss at Kansas just six days later, Bret Bielema has come to the instant conclusion about his defense that “some things schematically we're going to have to take a really close look at”.

After two weeks of the 2023 season and a Top 10 opponent coming to Champaign next, the level of concern around Bret Bielema should be at an all-time high.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 8, 2023

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The cliche being stated all everywhere they play football in the United States of America is that the most improvement in a season comes from game one to game two. Illinois managed to disprove that theory in a big way Friday night. In its first road test of the 2023 season, Illinois was dominated on both sides of the ball, committed terribly undisciplined penalties and looked lost in the 34-23 loss, which was the most uncompetitive result since Bret Bielema took over the Illini program.

By IlliniGuys Staff September 8, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]