Football

Illini Survive Scare With 30-28 Opening Night Win Over Toledo

Illini Survive Scare With 30-28 Opening Night Win Over Toledo

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

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How Jim Leonhard’s “witness protection program” Analyst Role Can Help Illinois

How Jim Leonhard’s “witness protection program” Analyst Role Can Help Illinois

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. 

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IlliniGuys Game Predictions vs Toledo

IlliniGuys Game Predictions vs Toledo

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

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Game Preview - Bush Starts at Strong Safety

Game Preview - Bush Starts at Strong Safety

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

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Big Ten DB Rankings and Trey Petty Update

The Farrell Files Illinois - Big Ten DB Rankings and Trey Petty Update

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, 

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Getting To Know The Toledo Rockets

Getting To Know The Toledo Rockets

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

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Bielema Reveals Illini OL & Safety Starters vs. Toledo 

Bielema Reveals Illini OL & Safety Starters vs. Toledo 

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).

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Iose Epenesa

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Iose Epenesa

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.

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Newton Brothers will Face Off on Saturday Night

Newton Brothers will Face Off on Saturday Night

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.

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Communication Studies: Illini Defense Turning Up Volume With New Secondary

Communication Studies: Illini Defense Turning Up Volume With New Secondary

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. 

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Around The Big Ten - August 30, 2023

Around The Big Ten - August 30, 2023

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

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The Farrell Files Illinois - Vernon Woodward Evaluation & Selected Toledo Visitors

The Farrell Files Illinois - Vernon Woodward Evaluation & Selected Toledo Visitors

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.

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Love & McCray Enjoying New RB Coach Thad Ward for Different Reasons

Love & McCray Enjoying New RB Coach Thad Ward for Different Reasons

Reggie Love didn’t want things to change with his new position coach in 2023 and Josh McCray wanted a clean, fresh start to his college career. They both got what they wanted in Thad Ward.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 29, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The top two returning running backs on the Illinois roster have seen the hiring of Thad Ward as their new positional coach as exactly what they were looking for despite the fact they were seeking different things. 

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Analysis: IlliniGuys.com 2023 Projected Week 1 Depth Chart

Analysis: IlliniGuys.com 2023 Projected Week 1 Depth Chart

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema did not provide local media with a projected depth chart for the season-opening game vs. Toledo. So, IlliniGuys.com decided to do one anyway.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

August 29, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Since he’s not required to do so by the Big Ten Conference or university administration, Illinois head coach Bret Bielema did not submit a depth chart prior to his weekly media conference on Monday afternoon inside Memorial Stadium. 

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Heat Checks and Hail Marys – Intriguing B1G Football Storylines

Heat Checks and Hail Marys – Intriguing B1G Football Storylines

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

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