Football

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

Illinois sixth-year senior Michael Marchese finally finding success and finally the end zone in the early points of the 2022 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 22, 2022

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Michael Marchese admits that he didn’t know how open he was when he caught the pass that led to his first career touchdown. 

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

September 21, 2022

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

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 20, 2022

Illinois will be in need of offensive and defensive linemen

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 19, 2022

The Fighting Illini have definitely upgraded its football roster; the key is to start with your offensive and defensive linemen.

Mike Farrell, IlliniGuys National Football Recruiting Expert

September 19, 2022

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

Welcome to The Specialist Edition of my recruiting column and how in-state recruiting is essential to re-activating the fanbase.