Football

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 […]

(Editor's note: Illini sophomore linebacker Gabe Jacas appears each week on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular radio show https://illiniguys.com/radio/ each week.  Listen to this week's show for the entire interview.)

September 8, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Larry Smith - We're talking with the OTHER IlliniGuy - Gabe Jacas - prior to the Illinois-Kansas game.  Gabe and the IlliniGuys brought to you by HX Home Solutions.  Gabe, let's talk first and get your thoughts on the Toledo game last week?  You get the win, but a lot to work on this week.

Gabe Jacas -  Yeah. Good game. Definitely a lot to improve on. Definitely. Defense could have played better, but you know, luckily offense did their job, you know.  Both sides of the ball, played complimentary football, and we just finished out on top. You know, Casey (Washington) makes a big play to win the game. And Myles Scott, the interception definitely changed the momentum of the game. So that was a good thing for that for that team win.

September 8, 2023 The Illini go on the road […]

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 8, 2023

Illinois at Kansas 

Date/Time/Place: Friday, Sept. 7, 2023: 6:30 p.m. CST, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium 

Surface: Field Turf 

Capacity: 47,233

Records: Illinois 1-0; Kansas 1-0

Betting Line: Kansas by 3

Series notes: Illinois leads all-time series 3-2. Kansas and Illinois are set to meet for the first since 1968.

TV: ESPN2; Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) Paul Carcaterra (sideline)

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 (138/196), SiriusXM App, and at FightingIllini.com.

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

September 8, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll give my thoughts on Big Ten week one, I’ll take a quick look at the Kansas matchup and rank DB commit Amar Reynolds vs the industry.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 7, 2023

In early September we introduced to you the younger brother of Illinois All-American Jer'Zhan Newton, Jershaun Newton, an outstanding signal caller for Clearwater Central Catholic.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema stated sophomore defensive back Tyler Strain was active at practice Wednesday and is expected to play at Kansas on Friday night (6:30 p.m. CST, ESPN2). 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 6, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema says both of his starting cornerbacks will be active for the Illini’s road opener on Friday night. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 6, 2023

The beginning of the college football season has officially started tailgating, giving up your Saturday afternoons, and watching the games themselves.

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

September 6, 2023

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll continue to update on QB Trey Petty and have an update on a 2025 to watch.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Aaron Henry both insist on keeping the snap counts down for All-American linemen Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 5, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The snaps conservation plan for Illinois’ preseason All-American duo of defensive line will likely continue against Kansas. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 5, 2023

Illinois has close contacts with local football prep Myson Johnson-Cook from Decatur MacArthur, Illinois.

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

Jalon Daniels, the preseason Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year selection, was held out of action last week against Missouri State due to an ongoing back injury.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 4, 2023

Illinois might want to prepare to see the 2023 debut of the preseason offensive player of the year selection in the Big 12 Conference.