Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 332 - Illini hoops talking season takeaways; Bielema Bowl preview Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss their takeaways from basketball media days and preview Illinois vs. Wisconsin football. The guys start by discussing what they've learned and heard from Illinois basketball and Big Ten basketball media days, including the Illini's biggest reasons for excitement and a few lingering questions. Then the guys break down Saturday's homecoming game between Illinois and Wisconsin and the keys to the game, including a prolonged talk about the Illinois quarterback position.

Ep. 331 - J Leman breaks down Charlotte win Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with All-American LB J Leman about Illinois football's 24-14 win over Charlotte. Leman breaks down Chase Brown's monster rushing performance (257 yards) and the keys to the Illini offensive line's run blocking. Leman then breaks down quarterback Brandon Peters' issues in the passing game before discussing continued improvement from Ryan Walters' defense. The guys end the pod previewing the Illini's matchup with a vulnerable Wisconsin team.

Ep. 330 - Chase-ing down a win Oct 02, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discuss Illinois football's skid-busting 24-14 win over Charlotte. The guys discuss Chase Brown's huge day and the Illini rushing attack's ability to bully the 49ers. But the guys also discuss the passing attack's continued struggles with Brandon Peters at quarterback and what it says that Illinois continues to commit to the super senior. The guys end the podcast throwing flowers at Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' group, which shut out the 49ers in the second half.

Ep. 329 - Is it basketball season yet? Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss the start of Illinois basketball practice and break down the questions about the 2021-22 team. The guys discuss expectations with Kofi Cockburn, Andre Curbelo, Trent Frazier, Da'Monte Williams and so many others returning, they discuss X-factors such as Omar Payne, Austin Hutcherson, Coleman Hawkins and Alfonso Plummer and they discuss how the team could play differently than last season. Piper then breaks down the latest in Class of 2022 recruiting and remaining targets before discussing a big 2024 in-state recruiting weekend. The guys wrap up the podcast with their preseason Big Ten rankings.

Ep. 328 - Good Charlotte? Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down Saturday's game between Illinois (1-4) and Charlotte (3-1). The guys discuss challenges provided by Charlotte, which beat Duke in its opener, and what Illinois needs to do to win its first game in a month. The guys discuss whether the Illini need to make a quarterback change and how Tony Petersen can get his offense going. Then the guys discuss why the defense has had success recently and what it must do to continue that momentum. The guys then discuss what a win and loss this week would mean for the program.

Ep. 327 - J Leman reacts to Purdue loss Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner chats with former Illinois All-American linebacker J Leman about Illinois football's 13-9 loss at Purdue. Following four straight losses, the guys start with the positives, including the improvement with Ryan Walters' defense and a breakout performance from Josh McCray. Then Leman discusses whether Illinois needs to make a quarterback change after the offense failed to score a touchdown in Brandon Peters' second straight full game and his thoughts on Bret Bielema's decision to punt on 4th-and-2 from the Purdue 34 just before Purdue took the lead.

Ep. 326 - Boils down to offense, Bielema's decision Sep 26, 2021

Show notes

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 otherwise. He then discusses the missed opportunities the last two weeks represent for Bielema's program.

Ep. 325 - Purdue preview; Kam Cox on NIL's first three months Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

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 Cox about the first three months of the NIL era, the impact on student-athletes, how the process works and what the future of NIL looks like.

Ep. 324 - J Leman breaks down Maryland loss Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

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, including the quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive line play. They end the podcast discussing the opportunity at Purdue on Saturday and the Big Ten through three weeks.

Ep. 323 - Just brutal Sep 18, 2021

Show notes

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' defense for giving Illinois a chance. Then the guys discuss what potential changes should be made to spark this team and program.

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