Football

Illini football head coach Bret Bielema confirms that sophomore […]

Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant has quickly presented himself as Tommy DeVito’s most-trusted medium and deep route threat in this new Illini offense. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 28, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- When Tommy DeVito arrived at Illinois, he quickly learned that he wasn’t going to get jersey number 13 - the only jersey number he’s had in his football career.

So, instead of wearing 13, the new Illinois quarterback made a decision that number would be involved in the offense in the form of sophomore wide receiver Patrick Bryant. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

September 28, 2022

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

Another win in the books for Illinois football and while Chattanooga isn’t exactly a world beater, being 3-1 heading into a crucial stretch in the schedule is good.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

September 27, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

I was fearful of the threat Chattanooga represented to the Illini in week 4 because it looked to me that they were the equivalent of a mid-level MAC team and we can all think of the times that a team like that snuck up on the Illini and gave the Illini a tough game in Champaign or even a loss.  So, when the Illini took control of the game early and generally held serve over the Mocs all night long, I was impressed.  After re-watching for purposes of the Trench Report, I'm even more impressed.

This first clip is an example of Illinois' overall domination on the defensive line on Thursday.  With the Mocs playing two tight ends you'd figure they would be in good position for a run up the middle with their 215 pound running back.  However, Avery, Randolph and Newton all win their individual reps, Seth Coleman easily sheds his blocker to take part in the tackle and Gabe Jacas quickly recognizes the play to crash down and take part in the tackle.  The inside linebackers also do their job by crashing into the middle, but the truth is there isn't much for them to do because the front three have all easily beaten their opponents.   We haven't seen such consistently good play from an Illinois front four (or five) in a long time, so I hope everyone is enjoying this.  Chattanooga totaled six pass completions on the day against four Illinois sacks.  That's pretty incredible.

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By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Throughout the week leading up to this game against Chattanooga, every member of the Illinois coaching staff was insistent that the season-ending injury to Ezekiel Holmes would involve an inside linebacker moving to an outside spot. 

Following the 31-0 win by the Illini, the defensive film simply shows otherwise. Calvin Hart Jr., who is a primary starter and still in Andy Buh’s meeting room and positional group on the inside, is lining up in Ryan Walters’ defensive scheme as an outside linebacker. It is not an exclusive change but it’s enough of a change to be worthwhile to show you the laymen viewer how Illinois is accounting for a major contributor like Holmes not being in the lineup. 

2024 four-star offensive tackle prospect Derek Jensen says Illinois is high among his early college choices because “those coaches were the first ones to think I was at a level that could play in the Big Ten Conference”. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 25, 2022

HARTLAND, Wisc. -- The Illinois coaching staff got the message from the left tackle of the state of Wisconsin’s highest ranked high school program. 

2024 four-star offensive tackle prospect Derek Jensen says Illinois is high among his early college choices because “those coaches were the first ones to think I was at a level that could play in the Big Ten Conference”. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 25, 2022

HARTLAND, Wisc. -- No matter where his recruitment takes him throughout the next year, Derek Jensen says he’ll always remember where his first Division I scholarship offer came from. 

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 24, 2022

If you are a wide receiver and had your doubts about the Illinois passing game, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. put that to rest quickly.

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy September 24, 2022 There's one way […]

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

September 23, 2022

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

As Illinois impressively wins an important home game (and an expected layup win key for bowl chances), I continue to break down a few of their remaining targets for the 2023 class.

Zain Bando, IlliniGuys Contributor

September 22, 2022

In a game that Illinois needed to win badly before Big Ten West play, the Illini (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) did just that.

At 3-1, Illinois is still in prime position to get excited about a bowl game possibility after completing its first undefeated non-conference schedule since 2011. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 22, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Welcome to exactly where you thought Illinois would be at the end of September. 

September 22, 2022 The Illini bounced back by bouncing […]

Seven FCS schools have already knocked off FBS schools including last weekend’s upset of Southern Illinois over Northwestern. Illinois hopes to avoid what they’ve already seen. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 22, 2022

Game Preview: Chattanooga at Illinois