The Drive on ESPN 93.5

09/17/25 Hour 2: The Wall Street Journal's Rachel Bachman talks Illini Mom's Practice; Ben Johnson's Bears press conference, and our reactions

The Wall Street Journal's senior sportswriter Rachel Bachman joins us to talk about her article on the Illini's Moms' Practice. It's a great a conversation!

Plus, Ben Johnson gets serious during today's Bears press conference. It's a full hour on The Drive!

09/17/25 Hour 1: WCIA's Tristan Thomas in-studio to preview Illinois vs Indiana and the local high school games

WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas will be all over Central Illinois on Friday for "Friday Football Fever" and then head to Bloomington on Saturday for the Illini's showdown with the Hoosiers. But first, he joins us in-studio to preview all of this weekend's football action.

Plus, the Cubs have clinched a postseason birth. Are they peaking at the right time?

09/16/25 Hour 2: Illini tix for Homecoming, Illini basketball nugget, and weird ways we've hurt ourselves

The Illini have a clean bill of health ahead of their game with Indiana on Saturday, but the same can't be said for The Drive. 

Plus, some nuggets on Illini basketball and the fellas have your chance to score tickets for the sold out homecoming game against USC.

09/16/25 Hour 1: Curt Cignetti's Presser, Illini LG Josh Gesky, and Jeremiah Cox talks Cardinals

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti had his press conference today ahead of Saturday's game against the Illini. He seemed a little...tense.

Illini LG Josh Gesky talked with the media today too. He wants the Illini to start fast against the Hoosiers!

Plus, Jeremiah Cox talks expectations for the Cardinals in 2026 and the rest of this year.

09/15/25 Hour 2: Where do the Bears go from here? Kurtis & Evan debate what's next.

The Bears were crushed by the Lions in Ben Johnson's return to Ford Field. Is the season over already? Kurtis and Evan debate what's next as the Bears get ready for the Cowboys on Sunday.

Plus, an Etched in Stone Recap and a Monday Night preview.

09/15/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour; Illini's win over WMU and upcoming Indiana game

The great J Leman is in the studio for the first hour! We're discussing the Illini's dominant win over Western Michigan, and what to watch for against Indiana this weekend.

Plus, J's favorite sports movies. There's a bevy of them!

09/12/25 Hour 2: Patrick Sojka talks Illini Gameday Experience and our Friday Toasts!

Patrick Sojka is the Senior Associate Athletics Director for the Illini and is behind your Gameday Experience. We talk about what fans can expect for this weekend and beyond.

Plus, a chat about the best & worst sports movies and our Friday Toasts!

09/12/25 Hour 1: Illini vs WMU preview, Packers dominate, and Jeff Joniak calls in

The #9th ranked Fighting Illini take on Western Michigan tomorrow night and we're hyped! 

Plus, the Packers look like they're on another level after crushing the Commanders on Thursday Night Football.

And the great Bears play-by-play man Jeff Joniak calls the show!

09/11/25 Hour 2: Etched In Stone moneylines, Cards talk, and good news for the Bears

Etched in Stone is back! Evan has 5 picks for you, plus a bonus bet for our social media followers.

Also, some Cardinals chatter and good news for the Bears before they play Detroit!

09/11/25 Hour 1: Ravi Lulla talks B1G Ten Football, Jared White talks Brad Underwood's New Award!

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports calls in to talk B1G Ten Football. Ravi was one of the few analysts that had the Illini blowing out Duke last week. How does he feel things will go Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium? Plus, we take a look at other games in the conference.

Also, Jared White from the Prairieland Counsil BSA is in-studio with details on Brad Underwood being recognized with the "Distinguished Citizen Award." Brad will be honored on Monday night at State Farm Center and you can be a part of it.

09/10/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal In-Studio to Talk Illini Football

IlliniBoard.com publisher Robert Rosenthal joins us in-studio to talk about Illini Football history, his favorite memories, and what he expects for the rest of this season. It's a great conversation with one of the ultimate Illini fans!

09/10/25 Hour 1: More on Gies Memorial Stadium, Illini vs WMU, and Tristan Thomas calls the show

We're a day removed from Larry Gies' $100 million donation. We chat more about fans' reactions. Also, Tristan Thomas from WCIA calls in with a preview of Friday Football Fever.

09/09/25 Hour 1: BREAKING ILLINI NEWS; Gies Memorial Stadium, and also recapping the Bears loss

It's a big news day for Fighting Illini Athletics after the largest monetary donation in school history. Gies Memorial Stadium is now the home for Illini Football. The reactions from fans have been all over the spectrum and the conversation is great.

Plus, is it "same ol Bears" after dropping the Ben Johnson debut on Monday Night Football? We dive in!

09/09/25 Hour 2: More on the newly renamed Gies Memorial Stadium, Illini vs WMU, and Bootleg Merch

The conversation about what the Gies donation means for Illinois athletics continues. The text lines were lit up!

Also, we dive into the recent history of Illinois vs Western Michigan.

And have you ever purchased some bootlegged merch of your favorite team? It turns out Illinois is the #1 state for the fake stuff.

09-08-25 Hour 2: The Chicago Bears are moving to Arlington Heights, and Monday Night Football Preview

The Bears take on the Vikings in Monday Night Football, but before kickoff Kevin Warren dropped a bomb.

The Bears President of Football Operations says the team is officially moving to Arlington Heights. It's The Drive!

09-08-25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour and an Illini Victory Monday!

J Leman is in studio to discuss the Illini's big win over Duke, the upcoming Western Michigan game, Hyenas, Haircuts, and more!

09-05-25 Hour 2: Picks for every NFL Division; Weekend College Football Preview

Evan Stone and Kyle Tausk run through every NFL division and give their picks, including a few bold takes. The guys also preview the weekend ahead in college football.

9-05-25 Hour 1: Kyle Tausk in studio! Eagles-Cowboys reaction; Breaking down Illinois-Duke

Kyle Tausk stops back by the studio with Evan Stone to react to the first game of the NFL season between the Cowboys and Eagles and break down a huge game for Illinois against Duke.

09-04-25 Hour 2: Tim Sinclair joins the show and "Etched In Stone" bets for the weekend

"The busiest man in all of media" and the PA guy for your favorite sports teams, Tim Sinclair, joins the show. It's a great conversation!

Plus, Evan has the bets you need "Etched in Stone!"

09-04-25 Hour 1: Evan Stone vs Bo Jackson, Ravi Lulla talks B1G TEN and Illini

Why did Evan Stone's open tabs on his phone lead to a HEATED discussion about Bo Jackson? The text lines lit up for this one!

Plus, Ravi Lulla from HurrDat Sports calls in to chat about B1G TEN football and why he expects the Illini to beat Duke by double digits this weekend!