Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner reacts to Illinois football blowing another late lead in a 13-9 loss to Purdue. He dissects Bret Bielema's reasoning for a decision that again backfired, punting from the Purdue 34 on a 4th-and-2 midway through the fourth quarter. He then discusses another good week by the defense ruined by an offense that has one bright spot (Josh McCray!) but is full of issues oth...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner look ahead to Illini football's game at Purdue. The guys discuss the opportunity for an increasingly healthy Illini team, the keys for Brandon Peters and the offense to show significant improvement and the keys to the defense building off a solid performance against Maryland. Then Jeremy chats with Illini athletics' INFLUENCE program coordinator Kam...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American LB J Leman about Illinois football's gut-wrenching 20-17 loss to Maryland. Leman breaks down some positive building blocks from the Illini defense and points out some positive changes by defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, as well as exciting playmaking by the Illini running backs. But Leman also discusses his concerns about the passing game,...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss a brutal 20-17 Illinois football loss to Maryland. The guys discuss the gut-wrenching details of blowing a seven-point lead with five minutes remaining to lose on a last-minute field goal. They discuss Brandon Peters' struggles in his return from injury and why Tony Petersen's offense has struggled, though the guys do praise Ryan Walters' def...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Derek Piper about Brad Underwood's contract extension and a big recruiting weekend. The guys discuss why the one-year contract extension makes sense for both Brad Underwood and Josh Whitman. Then Piper previews a big recruiting weekend, including an official visit from 2022 four-star wing Ty Rodgers and unofficial visits for Jeremy Fears Jr. and Ty Pence....

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner catches up with Illinois football great Arrelious Benn, who is returning to the UI campus for the first time since entering the NFL. Benn discusses his thoughts on returning to campus, first-year Illini coach Bret Bielema, seeing his former Illini coaches Mike Locksley and Ron Zook on the Maryland sideline. Then Benn discusses why he picked Illinois over college foo...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Inside MD Sports' Jeff Ermann, who breaks down Mike Locksley's Maryland Terrapins before Friday's game at Illinois. Ermann breaks down Locksley's impact on Maryland so far, including his huge impact in recruiting and what's behind Maryland's 2-0 start. The guys break down an explosive offensive, led by QB Taulia Tagovailoa, WR Dontay Demus Jr. and WR Raki...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illini All-American linebacker J Leman about Illinois football's 42-14 loss at Virginia. Leman discusses the big-picture issues with the roster and the defense's lack of competitiveness. They also discuss some positive signs from the offense and what Brandon Peters' potential return could mean for the group. The guys then look ahead to a tough home...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 42-14 loss at Virginia. The guys discuss the biggest issues from a putrid defensive effort and whether Tony Petersen will be able to find the Illini's offensive identity. The guys also talk big-picture about what two disappointing losses mean for Bret Bielema and his efforts to turn around his first season and this strugg...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Wahoos247's Jacquie Franciulli to break down Virginia football before Saturday's showdown against Illinois. Franciulli discusses what's made Bronco Mendenhall successful in the ACC with the Cavaliers, why Virginia is excited about its offense led by QB Brennan Armstrong, how Virginia's defense is looking to bounce back from a poor 2020 season and keys to...

J Leman talks with Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner about Illinois football's 37-30 loss to UTSA. The former Illinois All-American linebacker discusses how a locker room reacts to a disappointing loss, why Illinois struggled to stop UTSA's offense, how he evaluated QB Artur Sitkowski's performance and adjustments Illinois must make before a trip to Virginia.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss a 37-30 Illinois football loss to UTSA, a $1.1 million buy game for the Illini. The guys discuss what went so wrong compared to last week's win over Nebraska, evaluate Artur Sitkowski's game, the defense's issues in slowing down the Roadrunners and what this means moving forward.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner catches up with Illini Inquirer alum Isaac Trotter, who recently rejoined 247Sports on the national news desk. Trotter discusses his new gig and his initial impressions of the Bret Bielema era, including the season-opening win over Nebraska. The guys then break down their thoughts on the Big Ten leading into Week One, including teams they're buying, teams they're se...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Inside Runner Sports' JJ Perez about the UTSA Roadrunners, who travel to Illinois on Saturday to take on the 1-0 Illini at Memorial Stadium. Perez discusses the young history of the UTSA football program, what second-year coach Jeff Traylor has brought to the program, key UTSA players to watch on both sides of the ball and keys to UTSA upsetting Illinois....

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illini All-American linebacker J Leman about Illinois football's 2021 season-opening 30-22 win over Nebraska. Leman discusses his biggest takeaways from the game, breaks down the defensive and offensive schemes, some standout players and some keys going into Saturday's UTSA game.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's 30-22 win over Nebraska in Bret Bielema's debut. The guys discuss what a win can do for the fans, recruiting and the team for the rest of the 2021 season and then break down the finer points of the victory. On offense, the guys discuss QB Art Sitkowski's performance in relief of an injured Brandon Peters, the involvement...

With under 48 hours before kickoff of the college football, Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner make their bold predictions for the 2021 Illinois football season. The guys make their season predictions and then make their predictions for quarterback Brandon Peters, the running game, the top pass catcher, the most impactful defenders and the schedule.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Husker247's Mike Schaefer, who breaks down the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Illini's Week Zero opponent in Saturday's season opener at Memorial Stadium. Schaefer breaks down what's gone wrong during Scott Frost's first three seasons as head coach, expectations for this season, what this game against Illinois means for the Huskers, players to watch and keys t...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with Derek Piper about a four official visitor weekend for Illinois basketball and what it means for the Class of 2022. The guys first discuss what Illinois has in the Class of 2022 and the recent decommitment of Reggie Bass. Then they discuss official visitors Otega Oweh, Cameron Corhen and Cam Whitmore, what each prospect could add to the Illini and where th...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former All-American linebacker J Leman to preview the 2021 Illinois football season. Leman breaks down his thoughts on the Illinois coaching staff, new schemes and the Illini personnel. He then breaks down why he is optimistic about the 2021 Illini football season and schedule.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the 2021 Illinois secondary, which has several returners but a lot of questions. The guys discuss a solid cornerback duo of Tony Adams and Devon Witherspoon but the concern about depth at the position and who could step up. Then the guys discuss a safety position that includes a lot of experience, including Sydney Brown and Quan Martin, bu...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the 2021 Illinois linebacker group, which got a big boost this offseason. The guys discuss what the unexpected return of Jake Hansen means for Andy Buh's group, what to expect from Tarique Barnes and Khalan Tolson following season-ending injuries last season and what NC State transfer CJ Hart brings to the group. Then the guys discuss the...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the 2021 Illinois defensive front, which includes the defensive line and outside linebackers. The guys break down a defensive line with some veteran returners, led by Roderick Perry, and intriguing young talent, including Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph, and how they fit a new defensive alignment. Then the guys discuss the transition of I...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with 670TheScore.com's Cody Westerlund about Ayo Dosunmu's fit with the Chicago Bulls and the Bull's big offseason. The guys start talking about what Ayo Dosunmu can bring to the Bulls and his short-term and long-term outlooks with the franchise. Then the guys dive into the Bulls big offseason and what the acquisitions of Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRo...

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down the 2021 Illinois offensive line group, buoyed by a handful of super seniors. The guys discuss what it means that Bret Bielema brings back All-Big Ten seniors Alex Palczewski, Vederian Lowe and Doug Kramer for one more season and how good they make this group. The guys then break down what likely starter Blake Jeresaty adds before diving i...