The Drive on ESPN 93.5

The Drive dives into the Bears vs. Vikings Week 2 matchup as Chicago returns to Soldier Field following its 59-37 season-opening win over Carolina. The NFC North rivals are both 1-0, setting up an intriguing early-season divisional battle.

Plus, Illinois football adds another piece to its future quarterback room as 2028 QB Owen Herrick commits to the Illini. The three-star Pittsburgh Central Catholic quarterback is ranked among the nation's top 30 quarterbacks in his class.

And we've got your chance to WIN tickets to Illinois vs. Southern Illinois! Tune in for all the details and get ready for another big weekend of Illini football.

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Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins The Drive to break down Illinois basketball's newly released 2026-27 Big Ten schedule, including the biggest matchups, road challenges and what stands out from the Illini's conference slate. Illinois will play 20 Big Ten games, with home-and-home series against Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin.

Plus, we debate a big question ahead of Saturday's Illinois-Southern Illinois football game: Will you stay for the entire game? And with Thursday Night Football on tap, we get into our favorite player props and storylines for Bills vs. Lions.

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The Drive Full Show – September 16, 2026: Southern Illinois Salukis SID Todd Hefferman joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to preview SIU vs. Illinois and provide the Saluki perspective heading into Saturday's matchup. Plus, the guys react LIVE to the release of the 2026-27 Big Ten men's basketball schedule and break down the biggest matchups on Illinois' slate. Then, it's time for Big Ten QB Power Rankings as the guys debate the conference's top quarterbacks after the opening weeks of the college football season. All that and more on The Drive!

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The Drive continues its Illinois vs. Southern Illinois preview, focusing on how the Illini can get their running game going. We discuss Kaden Feagin's role at Tight End, and the rest of Illinois' running backs, how they could be utilized against the Salukis, and what the offense needs to do to bounce back.

Then it's time for Tuesday Draft! The guys draft their favorite Big Ten stadiums, debating which venues provide the best atmosphere, traditions, and overall college football experience.

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The Drive kicks off Hour 1 by looking ahead to Illinois' matchup with Southern Illinois and asking the big question: How do the Illini bounce back after the loss to Duke? We break down what needs to change and what Illinois needs to show against the Salukis.

Plus, we discuss the TEAM USA Act and what it could mean for Illinois Athletics and the future of college sports, before turning our attention to Major League Baseball with Cubs and Cardinals game previews.

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Hour 2 of The Drive features Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports! Brian joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to break down the Bears’ historic game against the Carolina Panthers and discuss what the performance means for Chicago moving forward.

The guys also turn their attention back to Champaign, taking a closer look at Illinois’ disappointing loss to Duke. What went wrong for the Illini? What are the biggest concerns coming out of the loss? And how can Illinois get back on track?

Plus, plenty of Bears and Illini talk, reaction, analysis, and more on The Drive!

Topics Include:

• Bears vs. Panthers: Breaking down a historic game
• What the Bears’ performance means moving forward
• Biggest takeaways from Chicago
• Illinois’ loss to Duke
• Concerns surrounding the Illini
• What Illinois needs to fix
• Looking ahead for both the Bears and Illini
• Brian Teague’s latest Bears and Illini analysis

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It’s the J Leman Hour on The Drive! The Illinois All-American joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to break down the Illini’s disappointing 31-27 loss to Duke. Leman dives into the defensive struggles, tackling issues, second-half offensive struggles, and the biggest lessons Illinois needs to take from the loss.

Then, J Leman looks ahead to Saturday’s matchup with Southern Illinois and explains what the Illini need to clean up before returning to action at Memorial Stadium. What should Illinois fans be watching for against the Salukis? What needs to improve before Big Ten play? And can the Illini bounce back in a big way?

Plus, plenty of analysis from one of the most knowledgeable voices in Illinois football!

Topics Include:

• Breaking down Illinois’ 31-27 loss to Duke
• The Illini’s defensive and tackling problems
• What went wrong in the second half
• Biggest takeaways from the Duke loss
• Previewing Illinois vs. Southern Illinois
• What Illinois needs to improve before Big Ten play
• J Leman’s keys to an Illini bounce-back

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It’s the J Leman Hour on The Drive! Illinois football legend and All-American linebacker J Leman joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to break down the highly anticipated matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Duke Blue Devils.

J Leman provides an in-depth preview of the game, discusses the biggest storylines heading into Saturday, and reveals his keys to victory for Illinois. What must the Illini do on offense and defense to come away with a win? Which matchups could decide the game?

Plus, Leman shares his perspective on Illinois football, the challenges of playing a team like Duke, and what fans should be watching for when the Illini take the field.

Topics include:
🏈 Illinois vs. Duke preview
🔶 J Leman's keys to victory
🛡️ Illinois defensive game plan
⚔️ Key matchups to watch
🏟️ What the Illini need to do to get the win
🔥 Big Ten football & Illinois storylines

It’s a packed second hour of The Drive! Jacob Infante joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to preview the Chicago Bears’ season opener against the Carolina Panthers, including the biggest matchups, keys to victory, and expectations for Caleb Williams and the Bears in 2026.

Plus, the Bears have locked up running back D’Andre Swift with a new three-year, $33.75 million extension that includes $27.5 million guaranteed.

The GA Scumbags join the show to break down Illinois vs. Duke, followed by Etched in Stone and the always-popular Friday Toasts!

🏈 Bears vs. Panthers preview
💰 D’Andre Swift's new contract
⭐ Caleb Williams & the Bears' 2026 outlook
🟠 Illinois vs. Duke with the GA Scumbags
🎙️ Etched in Stone
🍻 Friday Toasts

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Illinois football legend Terrell Washington joins The Drive to look back at his time with the Illini, discuss Hall of Fame Weekend, and break down Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup between Illinois and Duke.

Plus, Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone deliver a full Illinois vs. Duke preview, including Katin Houser’s impressive debut, the Illini offense, concerns about the defense after allowing 194 rushing yards to UAB, key matchups, players to watch, and what Illinois must do to start the season 2-0.

Illinois enters the game 1-0 after a 42-23 win over UAB, while Duke is also 1-0 following a 17-3 victory over Tulane. The Illini defeated Duke 45-19 last season in Durham.

Topics include:
🏈 Terrell Washington joins The Drive
🏆 Hall of Fame Weekend
🟠 Illinois vs. Duke full preview
⭐ Katin Houser's Illini debut
🔥 Key players and matchups
🛡️ Can Illinois' defense slow down Duke?
📊 Game predictions and keys to victory

The Drive continues LIVE from Pia's with another pair of outstanding guests from the Illinois and Chicago sports scene.

Illinois Basketball legend James Augustine joins the show to look back on his Illini career, share stories from his time in Champaign, and talk about Illinois basketball.

Plus, Tim Sinclair, the longtime public address announcer for the Illinois Fighting Illini, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls and more, joins the conversation. Tim shares stories from behind the microphone and gives listeners a unique perspective on some of the biggest sporting events and venues in Illinois.

It's another packed hour LIVE from Pia's featuring Illini basketball, Chicago sports, and plenty of great stories from two familiar voices in the Illinois sports community.

The Drive is LIVE from Pia's as the show welcomes two Illinois sports legends! Five-time Olympic gold medalist Bonnie Blair joins the show to talk about her legendary speed skating career, Illinois connections, and life as one of the most decorated American Olympians ever.

Plus, Illinois Football legend Brandon Lloyd stops by to discuss his Illini career, his time in the NFL, and the current state of Illinois football.

It's a packed Hour 1 LIVE from Pia's featuring championship stories, Illini football, and plenty of great conversation with two Central Illinois sports icons.

The Drive welcomes on two very special guests, Josh & Jase, who are famous influencers from England and are currently touring the United States and visiting every college town in the Big Ten. They talk about what they've seen so far in Champaign, discuss soccer with Evan, and promote the Big Ten's current blood drive initiative.

 

Then, Evan and Cooper close out the show by talking about Illinois Football's upcoming showdown with Duke and get into an early preview of the Chicago Bears and NFL season.

The Drive continues its Illinois football postgame coverage with Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports, who dives into the X's and O's of Illinois' 42-23 victory over UAB. What worked for the Illini, what needs to improve, and what can we learn from the season opener?

Then it's time for Etched In Stone Picks, as the guys make their selections for some of the biggest games of College Football Week 1, including several marquee matchups across the country. The Week 1 slate features games such as Boise State at Oregon, Clemson at LSU, Northern Illinois at Iowa, and Marshall at Penn State.

And, as always, we wrap up the week with Friday Toasts — raising a glass to the people, teams, moments and happenings that deserve some recognition.

Topics include:

• Brian Teague's X's and O's breakdown of Illinois vs. UAB
• What Illinois did well offensively
• Defensive concerns and areas for improvement
• Katin Houser and the Illini passing game
• Illinois' explosive-play ability
• What the UAB game tells us about the Illini moving forward
• Etched In Stone Picks for College Football Week 1
• Biggest games and potential upsets to watch
• Friday Toasts

Illinois is 1-0 after defeating UAB 42-23 in the season opener, but was the performance as impressive as the final score suggests? The Drive breaks down the Illini's mixed-reaction victory, including Katin Houser's debut, Ca’Lil Valentine's big-play ability, Collin Dixon's two-touchdown performance, and a defense that struggled to slow down UAB's rushing attack.

Plus, WCIA 3 sports reporter Tristan Thomas joins the show to discuss his biggest takeaways from Illinois' season opener and preview this week's Central Illinois high school football action.

Topics include:

• Illinois' 42-23 win over UAB
• Katin Houser's first start as an Illini
• Ca’Lil Valentine and the explosive Illinois offense
• Concerns about the run defense
• The impact of the Hail Mary touchdown before halftime
• Ismael Kante's pick-six
• Tristan Thomas' reaction to the Illini's performance
• This week's biggest local high school football games and storylines

The Drive goes LIVE from Pia’s Sports Bar for a special show with three Illinois football legends — J Leman, Kevin Mitchell, and former Sports Information Director Kent Brown! The Illini greats share their memories of playing in Champaign, discuss what makes Illinois football special, and offer their thoughts on the current Illini program.

Hear stories from the past, insight into Illinois football, plenty of Illini pride, and a great conversation with three individuals who helped leave their mark on the program.

The Drive continues the countdown to Illinois football's season opener against UAB with Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joining the show!

Kyi breaks down the matchup from an Illini perspective, including the biggest questions surrounding Illinois entering the 2026 season, Katin Houser's debut at quarterback, the new-look defense under Bobby Hauck, key players to watch, and what could determine the outcome against the Blazers. Armchair Illini's gameday coverage also highlights the excitement surrounding the season opener and Illinois looking to build on 19 wins over the previous two seasons.

Plus, Kurtis and Evan make their Illinois vs. UAB score predictions, discuss expectations for the Illini in 2026, and look at whether Illinois can live up to its status as a heavy favorite in the opener.

The Drive gets you ready for Illinois football's season opener against UAB! Former Illini linebacker and Rose Bowl standout Brit Miller joins the show after being named Illinois' honorary captain for Thursday night's game at Gies Memorial Stadium. Miller reflects on his Illinois career, the honor of returning to Champaign, and what it means to represent the program.

Plus, The Drive delivers a complete Illinois vs. UAB preview, breaking down the biggest storylines heading into the 2026 season opener, including new quarterback Katin Houser, the Illini defense under new coordinator Bobby Hauck, key players to watch, UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, and what Illinois must do to start the season with a win.

Illinois and UAB meet for the first time Thursday night at 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

The Illinois vs. UAB season opener gets an inside look from the other side as UAB play-by-play broadcaster David Crane joins The Drive to preview the Blazers, their strengths and weaknesses, and what Illinois fans should expect Thursday night at Gies Memorial Stadium. The Illini and Blazers kick off Thursday at 8 p.m. CT.

Then it's time for the Tuesday Draft, and this week's topic is one every football fan can debate: the best foods at Gies Memorial Stadium!

Illinois has expanded its concessions lineup for 2026, adding options including Burrito King, Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike's, Crumbl Cookies and Dippin' Dots, while bringing back favorites such as Smith Burger, Big Grove Tavern and Papa John's.

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Illinois football is officially in game week, and Dave Wischnowsky joins The Drive to preview Thursday night's season opener against UAB. The Illini begin the 2026 season Thursday at 8 p.m. CT at Gies Memorial Stadium, with new quarterback Katin Houser and defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's revamped defense among the biggest storylines.

Plus, it's time for another edition of the Random Illini Players of the Day, highlighting some memorable names from Illinois football history.

And the Chicago Cubs absolutely exploded against the Milwaukee Brewers, winning 17-3 while setting a franchise record with nine home runs. Alex Bregman led the way with three homers as the Cubs opened September with one of their most dominant offensive performances of the season.

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