Football

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 31, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema didn’t have any answers on Pat Bryant along with all of the other injured Illini players who left the Oregon game and didn’t return this past weekend.

In his final local media availability before kickoff against Minnesota (11 a.m. CST, FS1), Bielema claimed that the team's medical and coaching staff would make final decisions in the 48 hours before the game.

“As far as injury-wise, I don’t know where it’s going to land on Saturday and we’ll make some final decisions but obviously some key guys were injured in the Oregon game and they are very limited on their comeback,” Bielema said Thursday afternoon inside the Smith Family Football Complex said. “On Saturday, we’ll make that decision known when it happens.”

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 31, 2024

No one who reads Illini Guys is happy with the result from Saturday. Illinois got out gained almost 2 to 1, and Oregon called off the dogs before things got really out of hand.

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

October 30, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll look at how the Oregon drubbing effects recruiting and how Bret Bielema has gone from opposed to flips to a potential flip master.

From Illinois Sports Information Office: CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Head Coach Janet […]

Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said Monday he was more frustrated by the lack of execution after an Oregon catch by his defensive players than disappointed by the call itself.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 30, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — On Saturday at No. 1 Oregon, the Illinois defense and specifically defensive play-caller Aaron Henry had a choice to make.

The choice was between dropping seven or eight in coverage and putting the Illini second level and secondary in positions to make open-field tackles or playing man coverage and blitzing with multiple players to get negative plays, possibly a turnover or at the very least create a quick decision by Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabirel.

Henry and the Illini defensive players elected to drop into coverage and force the Ducks veteran quarterback to make decisions from the pocket but limit deep throws and try to play a coverage where Oregon’s speed could get negated by effective tackling  - something Illinois did well against Kansas, Nebraska and Michigan.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 30, 2024

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) operates out of the shotgun formation in Saturday's game at top ranked Oregon. (Courtesy Illinois Athletics)

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The litmus test to the difference of Luke Altmyer from last season to this 2024 campaign can likely be judged in the idea of being able to get a full night’s sleep following the blowout loss Saturday to No. 1 Oregon.

In his first season, Altmyer used to wake up in a cold sweat early in the morning like he was in the middle of a nightmare, stressed out and worrying about his performance on the football field the previous day.

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

October 30, 2024

Illinois got the first of what figures to be several flips from other programs as a result of their on-field success when Logan Farrell changed his commitment from North Carolina to Illinois this week.

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

October 29, 2024

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

In this edition of the Farrell Files Illinois, I’ll take a look at the latest, and most surprising, commitment.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema believes second-year starting quarterback Luke Altmyer and offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. weren’t on the same communication level on Saturday at Oregon.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 28, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Sunday represented a therapy day set up by Illinois head coach Bret Bielema for offensive play-caller Barry Lunney Jr. and quarterback Luke Altmyer to voice things out.

The Illini fourth-year head coach suggested Monday, less than 48 hours after a 38-9 loss at No. 1 Oregon in the previous weekend, whatever the second-year starting quarterback Altmyer was trying to say Saturday wasn’t being heard or interpreted correctly by the Illinois coaches.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 28, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When the players and coaches arrived at the Illinois team facility Sunday morning, Pat Bryant wanted to guarantee his head coach that he’d be available for the following game against Minnesota.

Upon seeing and hearing that face-to-face interaction, Illinois fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema reminded Bryant he’s not qualified to make that kind of promise.

“He literally told me (Sunday) there’s not a chance he’s not playing in this game,” Bielema said in his Monday media conference inside Memorial Stadium. “I said to him that unless you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night and got a doctorate degree that I’m not aware of, you don’t get to make that call.”

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 25, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. and wide receivers coach Justin Stepp secured their commitment from three-star recruit Brayden Trimble of Mt. Zion, Illinois. Trimble committed to Illinois in early May and stands firm on it.

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

Oregon’s ability to avoid first open-field tackle leads to forgettable first 30 minutes from Illinois defense in blowout loss in Pacific Northwest. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 27, 2024

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon’s offense needed just one missed tackle to showcase its track-level tempo and Illinois certainly allowed that speed to showcase itself. 

Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant left the game Saturday in the second half under the watch of Illini training staff after a hit to the heck area and went straight to the locker room after the hit.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

October 26, 2024

(Photos courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EUGENE, Ore. — Illinois could be without its leading receiver for the start of the final month of the season.

After receiving a hit to the head and/or neck area following a pass breakup in the fourth quarter of the 38-9 loss at No. 1 Oregon, Pat Bryant was immediately taken off the field by Illinois training staff and taken straight to the visiting locker room. The fourth-year receiver, who came into Saturday leading the Illini with 31 receptions for 484 yards and seven touchdowns, did not return to the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jJWVEezI2E