The Drive on ESPN 93.5

12/31/25 The Illini Win the Music City Bowl!

The Illini beat Tennessee last night in a thriller at the Music City Bowl, 30-28! David Olano walked off the game winner and one of the guys predicted it would happen. Listen for a quick recap!

Have a safe and Happy New Year from The Drive!

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12/30/25 Hour 2: Music City Bowl part 2, Glenn Kinley from WCIA-3 live from Nissan Stadium, Tuesday Draft - Best Movie Sequels

Glenn Kinley is the Sports Director for WCIA-3 and is live on location at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. He calls the show with last-minute nuggets for the Music City Bowl and more.

Plus, we try to complete our Tuesday Draft right before kick-off. Today's topic is "Best Movie Sequels of All Time" and the results get heated!

 

12/30/25 Hour 1: Music City Bowl 2025 part 1, Keys to the Game, Kurtis' Tennessee Curveballs,

We are ready for The Music City Bowl! This hour features keys to the game, a deep dive into the Vols offense & defense, and more.

Plus Kurtis tosses out some Tennessee Curveballs and we talk some Illini hoops.

12/29/25 Hour 2: Illini Men's Basketball take care of Southern U, Bears lose to Niners, and our next Tuesday Draft announcement

Coach Underwood's Illini squad took care of business today at State Farm Center, beating Southern 90-55. The win follows Illinois' drubbing of Mizzou in the Braggin' Rights Game, 91-48. We break down the latest victory and preview the upcoming slate of games against Penn State, Rutgers, and Iowa.

Has the magic run out for the Cardiac Bears? Ben Johnson's team lost a thriller last night against the Niners and head back to Chicago for a regular season finale against the Lions. We look at Caleb Williams' missed opportunities, the pass rush, and the current playoff picture.

Plus, our final Tuesday Draft of 2025 is tomorrow! What category will Kurtis pick?

12/29/25 Hour 1: We're back and J Leman is in-studio to talk Illini, the Music City Bowl, and Kyle Whittingham at Michigan

Christmas Break is over and we're back!

J Leman is in studio to preview the Illini vs Tennessee in the Music City Bowl! How will a month off affect Illinois' defense against a high-powered Vols offense? How should Coach Bielema & Lunney utilize Luke Altmyer in this particular game? 

Also, J reacts to Coach Bielema's comments about "the SEC powers-that-be" and how they schedule games. And J's thoughts on Kyle Whittingham taking over at Michigan.

Let's gooooo!

 

12/19/25 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla breaks down the College Football Playoffs opening round, Chris Kwiecinski fom Fox32 with the latest on Bears vs Packers, Friday Toasts

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports breaks down the opening round of the College Football Playoffs. Is there an upset brewing?

Chris Kwiecinski covers the Bears for Fox32 Chicago and is back on the show. Get the latest info on Bears vs Packers. What is the key to Chicago winning? How will the loss of Rome Odunze and Luther Burden affect the Bears rushing attack?

Plus our Friday Toasts!

12/19/25 Hour 1: The latest on Illini Wrestling Coach Mike Poeta, Kyle Tausk talks Illini vs Mizzou, Evan's Soccer Minute, and Kurtis' Curveballs

Josh Whitman placed Illinois Wrestling coach Mike Poeta on indefinite administrative leave. The university said the decision stems from “potential violations of his employment agreement stemming from possible noncompliance with University fiscal control policies.” We have the latest.

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins us to talk about the Braggin' Rights game. Plus, more Illini basketball nuggets.

Evan gets a whole minute to talk about his favorite soccer team and Kurtis throws the Curveballs!

12/18/25 Hour 2: Illini vs Mizzou Braggin' Rights talk with Ally Schneipp & Joseph Pasthila, Etched in Stone bets, Cardinals & Cubs updates, and more Bears vs Packers

Ally Schneipp and Joseph Pasthila cover Mizzou Basketball for the Columbia Missourian. They join us to talk about Monday's Braggin' Rights game between the Illini and Tigers. Why is this more than a rivalry game for the Mizzou Tigers this year? How will the Illini respond after the home loss to Nebraska?

We need some money! Evan has your 5 bets for this weekend and a few games to stay away from. 

Plus, the Cardinals are looking to offload talent while the Cubs added a few depth pieces. And more on Bears vs Packers.

12/18/25 Hour 1: Andy Villamarzo from Rivals talks IHSA Football Changes, Illini Headlines, Bears vs Packers injury updates, Kurtis' Curveballs

Andy Villamazaro is a national writer for RIVALS and covers high school sports. He wrote about the new changes to the IHSA Football Playoffs system and how it affects area schools. He joins us to further explain the changes, the pros and cons, and how it affects recruiting.

We also check the Illini Headlines, the Bears are down 2 big weapons against the Packers, and Kurtis is firing Curveballs.

12/17/25 Hour 2: Nathalie Jones of ABC-17 talks Braggin' Rights Game, NFL Playoff Picture, and Christmas Movie Draft Results

Nathalie Jones is an award-winning Sports Director for ABC-17 in Columbia, MO and covers the Mizzou Tigers. She joins the show this hour to talk about the Braggin' Rights Game.

This week's draft had more votes than any other so far! So who won our Christmas Movies Draft? 

Plus we take a look at the NFL Playoff picture and who could be on their way to the Super Bowl.

12/17/25 Hour 1: Dave Wischnowsky talks Illini football and basketball, Illini Headlines, Kurtis' Curveballs

Dave Wischnowsky returns to ESPN 93.5 to talk Illini athletics! Dave gives his thoughts on Luke Altmyer playing in the Music City Bowl, Illini basketball & the Braggin' Rights game against Mizzou, and much more! A must-listen conversation!

Plus we give you a check of today's Illini headlines, a recap of our Tuesday Draft, and Kurtis' Curveballs.

12/16/25 Hour 2: College Football Playoffs predictions, Tuesday Draft - Best Christmas Movies of All Time!

The College Football Playoffs start on Friday night and we make our predictions. Kurtis and Evan both have upsets in their brackets, but who wins the Natty?

Tuesday is Draft Day and we're celebrating the holiday season! We're drafting the Best Christmas Movies of All Time! Who won? Which movies did we miss? Vote on Twitter & Instagram @thedrive935, on the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page, or text your vote to 217-359-2255!

12/16/25 Hour 1: Luke Altmyer's decision to play in the Music City Bowl, IHSA votes Yes on Prop 19, College Football Playoff predictions, and Kurtis' Curveballs

Luke Altmyer met with the media and discussed his decision to play in the Music City Bowl. We react to Luke's comments and give you a check of today's Illini Headlines.

The IHSA voted "YES" on Propsal 19, which will expand the post season from 256 to 384 teams. The news has been met with mixed reactions. We explain the changes and give our reactions.

Plus, Evan and Kurtis go head-to-head with College Playoff Predictions! Who's winning the national championship?

12/15/25 Hour 2: Croatian forward Toni Bilić commits to Illinois; Reactions to Illini's loss to Nebraska; Bears dominate Browns, Our next draft, and Kurtis' Curveballs

Another Balkan is coming to town! Croatian Forward Toni Bilic has committed to Illinois and is eligible to play. What does the 6'9" 20-year-old bring to Brad Underwood's team? 

Also, reactions continue to pour in after the Illini's loss against Nebraska on Saturday. What's next for the Illini and what adjustments are in the immediate future?

The Chicago Bears destroyed the Cleveland Browns yesterday at Soldier Field. Our intern Cooper O'Kelly was there and enjoyed wind-chills of up to -20! 

Plus Philip Rivers almost wins, Bo Nix and the Broncos beat the Packers, we announce our next Tuesday Draft, and Kurtis heaves some Curveballs!

12/15/25 Hour 1: J Leman reacts to Luke Altmyer playing in Music City Bowl; comments on Brad Underwood calling out David Mirkovic

J Leman is back in studio for a full hour on The Drive! The conversation starts with football and moves to basketball.

We talk about the risk/reward of Luke Altmyer playing in the Music City Bowl. Plus, JC Davis and Gabe Jacas are sitting out of the game. The Tennessee Vols are currently sitting at 3 point favorites. 

Plus, J gives his thoughts on Brad Underwood calling out David Mirkovic's poor practices ahead of the game against Nebraska. This caused the text lines to BLOW up! 

12/12/25 Hour 2: BREAKING Luke Altmyer is playing in the Music City Bowl; Carson Gourdie from WICS-TV reacts to the Altmyer news, Previews Illini vs Nebraska; Score Predictions and Friday Toasts

BREAKING Illini news - Luke Altmyer WILL play in the Music City Bowl. We react to the news and what it means for Illinois vs Tennessee.

Carson Gourdie covers the Illini for WICS-TV. We get his reaction to the Altmyer news and his thoughts on Illinois basketball's game against Nebraska.

Plus score predictions for Illinois vs Nebraska and our Friday Toasts!

12/12/25 Hour 1: Gabe Jacas Declares for the NFL Draft, Out of Music City Bowl; Brad Underwood Press Conference; Latest on Sherrone Moore; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illini football's Gabe Jacas has officially declared for the NFL Draft and will not play in the Music City Bowl. We look back on Gabe's career at Illinois and look at potential fits at the NFL level.

Brad Underwood met with the media ahead of tomorrow's game against #23 Nebraska at State Farm Center. We have the full press conference this hour.

The Sherrone Moore-Michigan story has another twist. We have the latest news and what's next for the Wolverines.

And Kurtis throws them Curveballs!

12/11/25 Hour 2: Illini vs Cornhuskers w/ Cooper O'Kelly of The Champaign Room; More Bears vs Browns; Notre Dame in Time Out; Philip Rivers starting for Colts

Cooper O'Kelly covers the Illini for The Champaign Room and has joined The Drive in an intern role. We dive into the numbers ahead of Saturday's game.

Plus more on the conditions at Soldier Field this Sunday, the coldest games YOU have ever attended, Notre Dame upsets the rest of college football, and Philip Rivers is in line to START for the Colts!

12/11/25 Hour 1: The latest on Sherrone Moore's firing; Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports talks Illini vs Nebraska; -20 Wind Chills for Bears vs Browns; Coldest game you've ever attended

We have the latest on Sherrone Moore's firing at Michingan, the future of the program, potential coaching replacements, what the university knew, and much more. 

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports calls in to talk about Saturday's game between the Illini and Cornhuskers. What will be the biggest challenge for Illinois?

And we found out Cooper O'Kelly is going to the Bears game on Sunday. The wind chill will be -20! What's the coldest game you ever attended?

12/10/25 Hour 2: Illini Wrestling's Lucas Byrd; More on Sherrone Moore's Firing; Best Board Games Draft Results

NCAA National Champion Lucas Byrd joins us this hour to talk the 2025-2026 Wrestling Season, his career, and much more. 

More reactions to Michigan's firing of Sherrone Moore "for cause." More details emerge this hour.

The votes have been tallied and we have a winner in our Best Board Games Draft! Who got your vote?