Football

Bret Bielema Done Talking & Submitting Plays With Big Ten Officiating Reps

Bret Bielema Done Talking & Submitting Plays With Big Ten Officiating Reps

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema decided it was no longer productive to talk with or submit plays to the Big Ten Conference director of officiating Bill Carollo.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 22, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- While also having a lot of personal items on his calendar this weekend, Bret Bielema has decided to stop his dialogue with the Big Ten Conference office about on-field officiating.

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Brandon Hansen Becomes Illini's 1st Commit in 2024 Class

Brandon Hansen Becomes Illini's 1st Commit in 2024 Class

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

November 22nd, 2022

Brandon Hansen is a 6-6, 290-pound OT from Mundelein who made his mark late Tuesday afternoon by becoming the first player from the class of 2024 to commit to Illinois.

Hansen's decision, which he made via Twitter, comes just a few weeks after he was on campus to watch the Fighting Illini take on Michigan State.

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“You want Chase Brown to have a chance to impact the game”: Illini OC Explains His End-Game Thinking at Michigan

“You want Chase Brown to have a chance to impact the game”: Illini OC Explains His End-Game Thinking at Michigan

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. said the play-calling in the final full drive at Michigan while the Illini were trying to ice away the game at No. 3 Michigan was called according to his plan.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 22, 2022

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Leading 17-16 with just over two minutes left, Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. spoke to his boss on the headset about the philosophy and an agreement was easily found.

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How Chase Brown Went From Thinking ‘I broke my ankle’ to Running Over Michigan’s Defense

How Chase Brown Went From Thinking ‘I broke my ankle’ to Running Over Michigan’s Defense

Illinois tailback Chase Brown entered and exited Michigan Stadium in a walking boot but everything in between showed why he’s the nation’s leading rusher. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 21, 2022

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- A few hours before having one of the most impressive games of his Illinois career, Chase Brown says he arrived at Michigan Stadium not entirely sure he’d be able to play. 

Brown was one of the first Illinois players out of the stadium tunnel for pre-game warmups on Saturday and following the 19-17 loss to No. 3 Michigan, the junior tailback told reporters that was the final moment he knew he’d be physically capable of facing the Wolverines. 

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The Farrell Report - Effects of Michigan Loss

The Farrell Report - Effects of Michigan Loss

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 21, 2022

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

Welp, another loss for the Illini and this one stings.

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Bielema “Extremely Pissed Off” at Officiating in 19-17 Loss at No. 3 Michigan

Bielema “Extremely Pissed Off” at Officiating in 19-17 Loss at No. 3 Michigan

After Illinois’ third straight loss, this time a 19-17 heartbreaker at No. 3 Michigan, Illini head coach Bret Bielema expressed frustration with the on-field officials. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 19, 2022

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- There is no need to guess at the mood of Illinois’ second-year head coach coming off the Michigan Stadium field following the 19-17 loss to the No. 3 Wolverines. 

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Hailstorm in Ann Arbor: No. 3 Michigan Escapes 19-17 Scare From Illinois

Hailstorm in Ann Arbor: No. 3 Michigan Escapes 19-17 Scare From Illinois

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer November 19, 2022 Illinois […]

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IlliniGuys Game Predictions Versus Michigan

IlliniGuys Game Predictions Versus Michigan

November 19, 2022 The Illini's losing streak moved up […]

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Lunney Jr. Demanding Illinois “has got to be more efficient” in Early-Down Situations

Lunney Jr. Demanding Illinois “has got to be more efficient” in Early-Down Situations

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. insisting the Illini found more of a vertical passing game Saturday in a loss to Purdue but adjustments need to be found in final three games. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 19, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. simply isn’t buying the idea that Illinois is running the ball too much on first down.

The first-year offensive boss said Monday in his weekly media conference just a few days after the 31-24 home loss to Purdue that the balance isn’t what concerns him but the lack of efficiency and results in some of those first-down carries in the back-to-back losses to Michigan State and Purdue. 

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The Farrell Report - Rumors and Coaching Decisions

The Farrell Report - Rumors and Coaching Decisions

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 18, 2022

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

The game is the focus this weekend as the game at Michigan is a must win situation for Illinois.

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Illinois Building Relationships with 2026 Prep Casey Thomann

Illinois Building Relationships with 2026 Prep Casey Thomann

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 18, 2022

Recently, we (IlliniGuys) put together a list of 2024 football prospects that Illinois appears to have a major interest in.

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Illini Bring in a Potential Sleeper on a Visit

Illini Bring in a Potential Sleeper on a Visit

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 17, 2022

Mac Resetich, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound running back from the class of 2023, Hall (HS), Illinois, does not have a lot of big-time offers currently

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Class of 2024 Football Prospects Now Being Targeted

Class of 2024 Football Prospects Now Being Targeted

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

November 17, 2022

We are still in the year of 2022, but the world of recruiting never stops

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“I think you can have sustained success here”: Walters Cites Alignment with AD & Head Coach For Reasons to Stay at Illinois

“I think you can have sustained success here”: Walters Cites Alignment with AD & Head Coach For Reasons to Stay at Illinois

Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters nominated for the 2022 Broyles Award, given to the nation’s best assistant coach in college football. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 16, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- After he took time to answer if he’d want to sign a second contract extension in the last two years with the University of Illinois, Ryan Walters noticed his ultimate boss was in the Memorial Stadium media room. 

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The Farrell Report - Henderson Flips

The Farrell Report - Henderson Flips

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 16, 2022

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

The quiet commitment has finally come to light

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