Football

Bret Bielema activated the "recruiting" signal to land recruit

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

Nov. 15, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Brandon Henderson)

The Twitter world is not all bad with the new changes. Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema went to Twitter nation to let the signal go that someone is wanting to suit up in Orange and Blue.

Brandon Henderson, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive tackle from East Saint Louis, Illinois, originally committed to Iowa State, is staying home to play for his home state university.

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 15, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

It was another tough loss for the Illini on Saturday as the Boilermakers from Purdue won both the Cannon trophy and essentially the Big Ten West.  Not only that, but unlike the Michigan State loss, the Illini can't look back and blame misfortune as the Boilermakers outgained the Illini by 82 yards and won the time of possession battle with 32:15.  So, as you might expect, this is going to be the ugliest Trench Report of the year so far because the Illini had plenty of problems on the line.  I'm going start with the best example of line play of the day:

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 14, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Eileen Meslar/The World Herald)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois will be without a starter and a veteran reserve at cornerback for the remainder of this 2022 season.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Monday that third-year sophomore Tahveon "Taz" Nicholson and senior Terrell Jennings will be out for the final two regular season games and the bowl game.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema fails to update the playing status of Chase Brown after he suffered a right leg injury Saturday in the loss to Purdue. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

November 14, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The language used on Monday by the head football coach at the University of Illinois doesn’t clear up the health and playing status of the nation’s leading rusher for this weekend. 

Illini coach Bret Bielema talks with reporters in his […]

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 14, 2022

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

Another weekend and another tough loss.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

November 13, 2022

The Fighting Illini football program knew how important their last home football game would be for the future of their program.

By Zain Bando - IlliniGuys Student Correspondent

November 13, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Just two weeks ago, things were looking up for the Illini. At 7-1, Illinois joined the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time in program history at No. 16, as the team looked ahead to two home matchups against Michigan State and Purdue. Win both, and a ticket to Indy is clinched.

The silver platter has yet to arrive, and now there's a strong possibility it will be lost in transit and find a home elsewhere. Last Saturday, a 23-7 deficit was too much to overcome, as penalties and turnovers plagued Illinois before running out of time on the game’s final drive, losing 23-15 in front of over 56,000 fans, most of them wearing Orange and Blue.

Illini head coach Bret Bielema talks about the 31-24 […]

By IlliniGuys Staff November 12, 2022 (Cover photo courtesy […]

November 12, 2022 The Illini's winning streak stopped by […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 11, 2022

Sources close to the Illinois football program confirmed that Malik Elzy, the nation's top unsigned wide receiver

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

November 11, 2022

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

As we await another big game for the Illini and some pending commitments, the season Chase Brown is having has Illinois attractive on the trail.

Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

November 10, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Illinois' burgeoning season suffered a setback on Saturday when the Illini lost to Michigan State despite outgaining the Spartans by 150 yards and keeping even in the turnover battle. 

Illinois rewards offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. with a […]