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Hour 2 of The Drive dives into a packed day of Chicago and St. Louis sports.

The Cardinals and Cubs are both struggling at the worst possible time, leading to a discussion about whether either team can turn things around and make a late-season push.

The show then shifts to the Chicago Bears, including the latest injury updates heading into the regular season. Plus, the Bears have unveiled their new 2026 Rivalries uniforms, which they will wear on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. The uniforms draw inspiration from several eras of Bears history, including the Monsters of the Midway look.

Finally, it's time to crown the winner of Tuesday's Draft: Biggest Sports Scandals. The guys revisit the entries and determine which scandal takes the top spot.

The Drive kicks off Hour 1 with WCIA Sports Director Glenn Kinley joining the show to discuss the latest developments surrounding Illinois football, including the Illini’s major partnership with Caterpillar and what the relationship could mean for the program, the university, and the Champaign-Urbana community.

With Illinois football entering a highly anticipated 2026 season, the conversation also looks at the growing connection between Illinois Athletics and major corporate partners. Caterpillar already has a significant relationship with the University of Illinois, including connections through research, engineering and student opportunities.

Glenn also provides his perspective on the current state of Illini football as the season opener against UAB approaches September 3 at Gies Memorial Stadium. Illinois enters the season with season tickets sold out for a second consecutive year and expectations for another huge home crowd.

Plus, it wouldn't be an episode of The Drive without Random Illini Players of the Day, highlighting another memorable name from Illinois sports history.

The Drive's second hour features an emotional conversation with Illini wrestling great Danny Pucino, who is raising money for pancreatic cancer research while honoring his late father. Pucino's father, Scott, was himself a Division I All-American wrestler, and Danny has used his own wrestling platform to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research through Pin Cancer.

The guys also break down the latest injury news surrounding Illinois wide receiver Jayshon Platt. Head coach Bret Bielema said Platt's injury initially had an unknown timeline, but the team has received encouraging news. Bielema couldn't rule out a Week 1 absence, saying Platt could potentially return anywhere from Week 1 to Week 3 or Week 4.

Plus, it's Tuesday Draft time! The guys put together their lists of the Biggest Sports Scandals of All Time, leading to plenty of debate over which controversies deserve a spot at the top.

The Drive dives into a major new Big Ten eligibility rule as the conference unanimously approved a ban preventing football players who have signed professional contracts, appeared on an NFL roster, or declared for the NFL Draft without withdrawing from returning to compete at a Big Ten school. The decision comes amid the ongoing eligibility chaos surrounding players attempting to return to college football after brief NFL stints.

Illini great Fred Wakefield joins the show to look back on his Illinois career and his unique eight-year NFL journey. Wakefield played for the Cardinals from 2001-06 before joining the Raiders in 2008, and his career included playing on both sides of the football. Plus, what happened when Fred and Evan Stone played basketball against each other?

Plus, it's time for another round of Random Illini Players of the Day, highlighting some of the lesser-known and forgotten names from Illinois football history.

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The St. Louis Cardinals suffered one of the most painful losses of the season Sunday, blowing a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning before Kyle Schwarber's two-run walk-off homer gave Philadelphia a 6-4 victory. The loss capped a disappointing 5-6 road trip and dropped the Cardinals to 66-66.

So, is the NL Wild Card still realistically in play? Absolutely—but the margin for error is getting smaller. The Cardinals entered the weekend only 3½ games behind the final Wild Card spot, but they're now sitting at .500 while teams such as Arizona, San Diego and Philadelphia remain ahead of them in the race. Arizona's win over Cincinnati kept the Diamondbacks firmly in the mix at 69-62.

The bigger concern may be whether St. Louis can survive its pitching situation. Andre Pallante is on the injured list with elbow inflammation, while Hunter Dobbins is also dealing with a forearm issue. The Cardinals will need their pitching depth—and their offense—to hold up over the final weeks.

Then it's time for our 2026 NFL Divisional Winners Predictions. We go division by division and make our picks—not necessarily just taking the betting favorite. The current market has Buffalo favored in the AFC East, Baltimore in the AFC North, Houston in the AFC South and Kansas City among the AFC West favorites, while Philadelphia is favored in the NFC East and the NFC West remains particularly interesting after the Rams' offseason addition of Myles Garrett.

The fun debate: Which division winner are we most confident in, and which favorite is most likely to get knocked off? The 2026 NFL futures market shows just how tight some of these races could be.

Illinois football is only 10 days away from opening the 2026 season against UAB, and there are some major changes coming to the gameday experience at Gies Memorial Stadium. Illinois Athletics is implementing a new lot-specific traffic-routing system beginning approximately 3½ hours before kickoff. Fans will have designated routes based on their parking lots, with the goal of reducing congestion and getting fans into the stadium more efficiently.

We also take a look at the new additions inside Gies Memorial Stadium, including the massive new video board, upgraded audio system, stadium-wide Wi-Fi, new LED lighting, enhanced concessions and new in-game hosts. The 17,000-plus-square-foot video board will be unveiled when Illinois hosts UAB on September 3.

The Illini soccer team remains unbeaten after playing UIC to a 0-0 draw Sunday night at Demirjian Park. Illinois is now 1-0-2 on the season after also drawing No. 19 Georgia and defeating Cincinnati. The defense has been excellent, but the question becomes whether the Illini can generate enough offense as the schedule gets tougher.

Then it's time to ask the question Bears fans are probably debating after Saturday night's 27-9 loss to Cincinnati: should anyone actually be panicking? The Bears' first-team offense struggled, Caleb Williams went just 2-for-5, the team committed 11 penalties for 81 yards, and Chicago failed to score a touchdown. That's certainly not what fans wanted to see—but it's still the preseason, and there are legitimate reasons to pump the brakes before declaring the season doomed.

Finally, we unveil another Random Illini Football Player of the Day, digging into an Illini name that deserves a little more attention as the countdown to the 2026 season continues.

Carson Gourdie from ABC20 joins The Drive to preview opening night of high school football across Central Illinois, including the teams, storylines, players and matchups worth watching as the 2026 season gets underway.

Carson also breaks down the latest bombshell in the NCAA's eligibility battle. The U.S. Tenth Circuit granted the NCAA's request to stay the nationwide injunction in Wisne v. NCAA, putting the potential fifth season for qualifying Class of 2022 athletes on hold while the appeal continues.

The ruling is particularly complicated for college football players because the decision comes just days before the season begins. While the nationwide protection has been stayed, athletes who obtained separate state-court restraining orders may still have eligibility protection. That creates a confusing patchwork where some players can potentially play while similarly situated players cannot.

Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer joins The Drive to break down Illinois basketball's non-conference schedule, including the biggest challenges on the slate, which games should matter most for the Illini's NCAA Tournament résumé, and what the schedule tells us about Brad Underwood's program.

The conversation also turns to Illinois' recruiting pipeline in Chicago — how important the city remains to the Illini, the talent Illinois is targeting, and whether the program can continue strengthening its presence in one of the state's most important basketball recruiting markets.

Plus, a major development in the NCAA's ongoing eligibility battle: the U.S. Tenth Circuit granted the NCAA's request to stay the nationwide injunction in Wisne v. NCAA. The ruling temporarily puts the fifth-season opportunity for qualifying Class of 2022 athletes on hold while the appeal continues.

Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins The Drive for a packed second hour covering Illinois football and the Chicago Bears.

Teague breaks down why Jake Renfro and Xavier Scott could be critical pieces for the Illini in 2026, and what their health and production could mean for Illinois' hopes this season.

The conversation then shifts to the Bears, including Ben Johnson's intense approach at training camp and whether that physical, demanding style is exactly what Chicago needs to take the next step. The Bears have already had some heated practices, while Johnson continues to emphasize competition and preparation.

And with the Bears heading to Cincinnati for a joint practice and Saturday night's preseason matchup, there's extra intrigue surrounding Bears-Bengals after Joe Burrow made it clear that Cincinnati believes this is a Super Bowl-or-bust type of season. Burrow has compared the 2026 Bengals to his 2019 LSU championship team and says the team expects to compete for the Super Bowl.

Topics include:

• Jake Renfro's importance to Illinois football
• Xavier Scott's role and impact on the Illini defense
• Illinois' 2026 football expectations
• Ben Johnson's intensity at Bears training camp
• What Chicago is trying to establish under Johnson
• Caleb Williams and the Bears offense
• Bears-Bengals joint practices
• Joe Burrow's Super Bowl expectations
• Why Saturday's preseason game feels more interesting than a typical August matchup
• What to watch for when the Bears face Cincinnati

The Bears and Bengals meet Saturday, August 22 at 6 p.m. CT in Cincinnati.

Illinois basketball legend Deon Thomas joins The Drive for a wide-ranging conversation about his legendary Illini career, his transition from player to Illinois Athletics Director of Major Gifts, and his continued role as a voice of Illini basketball.

Thomas reflects on his career at Illinois, where he remains the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,129 points, before discussing his work helping grow the Fighting Illini donor network and support current and future student-athletes.

He also looks back at the evolution of Illinois basketball from 2020 through 2026, including Brad Underwood's transformation of the program, the recent Final Four run, and what makes the current era so exciting for Illini fans.

Plus, Thomas reveals his Starting Five of Illinois players from 2020-2026 and explains why he selected each player.

Topics include:

• Deon Thomas' legendary Illinois basketball career
• His 2,129 career points and place in Illini history
• His role as Director of Major Gifts for Illinois Athletics
• What it's like working with Illini donors and alumni
• His perspective on Brad Underwood's program
• Illinois' 2026 Final Four run
• His favorite Illini memories
• Deon Thomas' Starting Five from 2020-2026
• The future of Illinois basketball
• Much more from one of the greatest players in Fighting Illini history

Thomas joined the Illinois Athletics development team in 2019 and continues to serve as a radio analyst for Fighting Illini basketball.

The Drive's second hour dives into a busy night of Chicago and St. Louis baseball before turning to some of the strangest quirks in the 2026 Illinois and Big Ten football schedules.

The Cardinals enter Wednesday's matchup with Cincinnati having taken two of the first three games of the series. Matthew Liberatore gets the start for St. Louis against Reds rookie Chase Burns, who has emerged as one of Cincinnati's most impressive young pitchers.

Meanwhile, the White Sox salvaged their series against the Cubs with a 3-0 shutout at Wrigley Field. Jose Urquidy delivered six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, while Chicago's offense couldn't generate a run.

The hour also takes a closer look at the unusual quirks and anomalies hiding in the Illinois Fighting Illini and Big Ten football schedules. Which matchups stand out? What scheduling oddities could impact the season? And are there any patterns that could help—or hurt—the Illini?

Sunny Verma of Locked On Illini joins The Drive to break down the latest surrounding Illinois athletics. Verma discusses why Illinois wide receiver Jayshon Platt could be a special player for the Illini, the importance of special teams, and what role Platt could play as both a receiver and return specialist. Platt is coming off a 2025 season at Florida Atlantic in which he recorded 46 receptions for 720 yards and five touchdowns while also providing a major boost in the return game.

The conversation also turns to Illinois basketball and the expected role of Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists per game last season and is expected to be one of Illinois' primary playmakers.

Plus, Evan's Random Illini Players of the Day!

Pete Crow-Armstrong put together one of the most memorable nights in Cubs history, becoming just the sixth player in MLB history to hit both a leadoff homer and a walk-off homer in the same game. PCA went 4-for-5 with two home runs in the Cubs' 7-5, 10-inning win over the White Sox, while his second homer gave him 30 home runs and secured his second straight 30-30 season.

The Cardinals and Reds split Monday's doubleheader, with St. Louis taking Game 1 before Cincinnati rallied for a walk-off win in Game 2. The focus turns to the series finale Tuesday, including the latest on Joshua Báez after his historic three-homer MLB debut. Báez went 0-for-9 in Monday's doubleheader, but his incredible start has Cardinals fans wondering if they've found another major piece for the future.

Then it's time for another Illini Football positional breakdown, with the spotlight on the offensive line. Illinois is working through a major overhaul up front, with new faces and limited continuity making the O-line one of the biggest questions heading into the 2026 season.

Doug Bucshon of On3’s Orange & Blue News joins The Drive to break down the latest Illinois football storylines as the Illini inch closer to the 2026 season. The conversation covers the team's injury situation, key position battles still being decided in training camp, and whether the revamped offensive line is starting to develop the chemistry it needs. Illinois is replacing four starters up front, making the O-line one of the biggest areas to watch heading into the season.

Plus, Kurtis and Evan bring back Random Illini Football Players of the Day, highlighting some names from Illinois football history that deserve another look.

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Hour 2 of The Drive gets you ready for a big weekend of baseball as the St. Louis Cardinals head to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series beginning Friday, August 14. The rivals meet with both teams looking to make a push in the NL Central, setting the stage for another heated weekend at Wrigley.

The guys also check in on former Illinois football players making their mark in NFL preseason action. With preseason games underway, which Illini have the best opportunity to make an NFL roster, and who could be fighting for a bigger role?

And, unfortunately, it's time for a Friday Toast with a twist: the crew raises a glass to Quinntern the Intern, who is wrapping up her final day with The Drive. Plenty of laughs, memories and well wishes as the team says goodbye.

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In Hour 1 of The Drive, Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone dive into a big night for former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer, who gets the start for the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Altmyer is getting a major opportunity to showcase what he can do as he competes for a spot on Detroit's roster.

The guys also discuss the latest developments in the Chicago Bears' stadium situation. Bears leadership says the organization is conducting its due diligence on potential sites in Hammond, Indiana, with the team currently focused on two Northwest Indiana locations. Despite the Indiana discussions, the franchise says it would remain the Chicago Bears if it eventually crosses the state line.

Plus, it's time for another edition of Evan's Random Illini Football Players of the Day, featuring another name from the long and fascinating history of Illinois football.

Due to severe weather and tornado warnings across the area, Hour 1 of The Drive was preempted for storm coverage. We still packed plenty into Hour 2!

🏀 Random Illini Players of the Day – We dig into the Illinois history books and highlight some memorable—and perhaps forgotten—Fighting Illini players.

🏆 Tuesday Draft: Best Traditions in Sports – Kurtis, Evan, and Quinntern The Intern draft their favorite traditions from across the world of sports. Which traditions are must-haves for any great fanbase, and which ones deserve more recognition?

Plus, plenty of sports talk, debate and Illini conversation.

Listen to The Drive on ESPN 93.5 for the latest on Illinois sports, Chicago sports and everything happening around the sports world.

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with Chicago Bears and Illinois football talk!

Kurtis and Evan are joined by Chris Kwiecinski of FOX 32 to discuss the latest on Luther Burden III's injury, what it means for the Bears' wide receiver depth, and why there's reason for optimism surrounding Chicago's defense.

Then it's back to Champaign for an Illinois football defensive back breakdown, looking at the Illini secondary and the players who could make an impact this season.

Plus, we preview the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies, including what to watch for in the matchup.

In Hour 2:
🏈 Chris Kwiecinski on the Luther Burden injury
🐻 Bears offensive depth and defensive optimism
🧡 Illinois football DB breakdown
⚾ Cardinals vs. Phillies preview
🔥 More Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis sports talk

Subscribe to The Drive for daily Illini, Bears, Cubs, Cardinals and Big Ten sports coverage from Champaign, Illinois.

The Dog Days of Summer are here, but Illinois football season is getting closer! On Hour 1 of The Drive, Kurtis and Evan dive into the latest Illini football storylines, including what fans should be watching as fall camp continues.

Plus, we have some fun with the strangest and most unexpected football opponents Big Ten schools have played, bring back Random Illini Players of the Day, and check in on the Chicago Cubs, who continue to roll as the MLB season heats up.

In this hour:
🏈 Illinois Football and the Dog Days of Summer
🤔 The strangest teams Big Ten schools have played
🧡 Random Illini Players of the Day
⚾ Cubs keep rolling
🔥 Plenty of Illini and Chicago sports talk

Illinois has a long and unusual football history, with more than 130 seasons and 99 major opponents documented in its all-time head-to-head records.

Listen to The Drive for the latest Illini, Cubs, Bears and Big Ten conversation!

The Chicago Cubs are rolling, and Alex Patt of Chi City Sports joins The Drive to break down the team's recent surge, why the Cubs' moves at the MLB Trade Deadline could pay off, and whether Alex Bregman is finally starting to look like the player Chicago hoped it signed.

Then it's time to turn the attention to Illinois football, with a breakdown of the Illini linebackers heading into the 2026 season. Kurtis and Evan look at the depth, key players and biggest questions facing the position group.

And, of course, the week wraps up with Friday Toasts, as Kurtis and Evan raise a glass to the people, teams and moments that deserve some recognition.

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