Football

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 […]

Bush will start at strong safety Saturday in Illinois’ season opener Saturday night vs. Toledo, marking the 23-year-old’s 35th career start at the college level. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 2, 2023

Toledo at Illinois

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

September 1, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, 

(Editor's Note: IlliniGuy Mike Cagley talked with Kyle Roland […]

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed the winners of the two preseason camp positional battles less than 48 hours before the 2023 season opener vs. Toledo. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

August 31, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The final starting positional battles have become set for Illinois’ season opener this weekend. 

Following his team’s practice session on Thursday afternoon, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed two offensive and two defensive starters for the game Saturday against Toledo (6:30 p.m. CST, Big Ten Network).

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 31, 2023

With the Illinois football staff heading into year three, they are making waves in the recruiting world.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

August 30, 2023

There is this one guy that plays football for the University of Illinois; he is very popular and really good.

Illinois secondary pieces still learning the art of communication with basically four new starters heading into 2023 season opener vs. Toledo. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Beyond the obvious of the scoreboard, one way to know Saturday whether the Illinois secondary is having success might be an issue of sound volume. 

August 30, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Purdue Athletics) All […]

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

August 30, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll rank DB Vernon Woodward vs. the industry and update the visitors list for Toledo including a few very familiar names.