Football

October 3, 2025 The Illini rebounded in fantastic fashion […]

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 3, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Champaign isn’t exactly known as the city of brotherly love – that goes to Philadelphia – but it looks as though Illinois head coach Bret Bielema is making a push to earn his football team that superlative.

Bielema’s roster for this season has followed two distinct themes: he’s a big believer in in-state recruiting (50 of the 115 players on the roster are from Illinois), and thinks football is something that runs in the family.

Five sets of brothers are on this year’s Illinois roster.

By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

October 2, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Saturday was a big day for the Illinois football program as the Fighting Illini knocked off USC 34-32 in front of a sellout crowd at Gies Memorial Stadium. Among those in attendance was one of Illinois’ earliest pledges in the Class of 2026, quarterback Michael Clayton.

Back in November 2024, Clayton, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback from Edison High School in Miami, Fla., gave his commitment to Bret Bielema and the Illini. On Saturday, Clayton was all smiles while taking in the game-day atmosphere, talking with reporters, and snapping photos with fans prior to the game.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 1, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

This was a pride win for Illinois. In the same way the Indiana loss hurt more than just one loss, this win meant more than just a single win. It didn't completely erase the sting of the "Beating in Bloomington", but it sends Illini nation and the CFP voters a clear signal that they should not write off the Illini. I'm not sure that USC is a legitimate top 25 team at this point based on their body of work (this week's game against Michigan will tell us a lot), but the key thing I took away from this game is that after showing signs of quitting against the Hoosiers, this group played tough and stayed competitive throughout the game despite several bad breaks. To me, that means this is a group that will stay tough through the season.

It wasn't just the players who dug deep and came out with a great performance this week. The coaching staff also emptied the drawer with some plays they'd been saving for a big game. This first one was pretty inspired.

By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

September 30, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The list of recruits on Illinois’ campus during its homecoming game against USC didn’t feature the usual large crowd, but the quality of visitors was impressive.

One of the biggest names in attendance was Jack Brown, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound tight end from Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri. Brown, a member of the Class of 2027, is one of the most highly regarded recruits in the country.

According to Rivals.com, Brown is the No. 1-ranked player in Missouri for 2027

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema had a message Monday for those who had doubts about his starting offensive line: “I think they answered the bell ten times over”.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 30, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Throughout what has already been described as the longest and most physical Tuesday and Wednesday practices of the 2025 season last week, Bret Bielema had a three-word message for his offensive line group.

“The big statement all week was ‘lean on them’ and all week we just kept preaching ‘lean on them’ because when we say that, my guys know what that means,” the Illini five-year head coach said. “I don’t think it was a rediscovery of (the Illinois offensive identity) but just a re-opening. Anything and everything that has ever been said or written about me will know it all starts up front. It always has and it always will.”

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular September 30, 2025 The […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

September 29, 202

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Some might call it a statement win and others could call it a bounce-back win, but no matter what you call it the Illinois win over USC was a key win for the Illini as they are back to life following the debacle at Indiana. Let’s look back at what we saw:

-The offensive line was very good. They got push up front against a Defensive line that was an expensive off-season addition for USC. It opened up the running game which slowed the pass rush and allowed Luke Altmyer to find the receivers. They took advantage

The right side of the Illinois offensive line shined in the run game in a 34-32 victory over then-No. 21 Southern California. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 29, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It would’ve been easy for the Illinois coaching staff to do a number of things with the right side of its offensive line. 

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. and offensive line coach Bart Miller could’ve replaced either or both of right guard Brandon Henderson and/or right tackle Melvin Priestly. They could’ve reshuffled some personnel as both of those players have playing experience at guard and tackle. Illinois could have schemed it up where they primarily roll pass protection and running options toward the left side of the line (left guard Josh Gesky and left tackle J.C. Davis) where they felt more comfortable about bodies being moved. 

All three of these men said no. Throughout the week, all three of these men told the outside criticism to trust they know their personnel, locker room and that they knew how to fix these issues with the current starters. And they were correct. 

By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

September 29, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium, the Fighting Illini football program hosted a select group of visitors on campus. Among them was Brayden Parks, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive lineman from Brother Rice High School, who drew plenty of attention during his trip.

According to Rivals.com, Parks is a four-star recruit and ranked as the 10th-best prep player in Illinois. Still, his recruiting status may be underrated considering the national attention he’s been receiving.

By Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

September 28, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Game day visits are often memorable for recruits, but today is extra special for one in-state prospect. Just before the 23rd-ranked Fighting Illini took the field against the 21st-ranked USC Trojans, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema delivered life-changing news to 2027 edge rusher Keysan Taylor.

“What a great day for me, sir,” Taylor said.

IlliniGuys.com beat writer Matthew Stevens assesses the categories and overall aspect of the No. 23 Illini’s 34-32 win over Southern California.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 28. 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — About an hour before kickoff on Saturday morning, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema told FOX Sports sideline reporter Jenny Taft that “Big Ten physicality has to win the day”.

Following a 34-32 victory that included 32 designed run plays going for 170 yards on the ground, No. 23 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 in Big Ten Conference play) played to its strengths and, more importantly, its identity in a critical home win to bounce back from a 53-point defeat in its league opener with just a week of preparation.

  Premium Members Only. Please Subscribe To View The […]

Former four-star signee Malik Elzy was taken off the roster by Illinois head coach Bret Bielema after his infomed coaches his intention to sit out remainder of 2025 season and preserve redshirt status.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 27, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Malik Elzy has played his final game for the University of Illinois football program.

After the third-year wide receiver’s name appeared as out on the Big Ten’s mandatory availability report two hours before Saturday’s kickoff against Southern California, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Elzy was removed from the roster.

By IlliniGuys Staff September 26, 2025 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - David […]