The Drive on ESPN 93.5

10/29/25 Hour 2: Richie O'Leary from The Knight Report talks Illini vs Rutgers; Horror Draft Recap; More Illini Headlines; World Series Game 5 Preview

Richie O'Leary is the Publisher of The Knight Report and covers the Scarlet Knights for ON3 Sports. He joins us to talk about the game this Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium, Greg Schiano taking over play calling, team injuries, and more.

The votes have been tallied for our Horror Movie Draft, but Kurtis thinks some chicanery happened! Did Evan cheat?!

We preview the pivotal Game 5 of the World Series after the Blue Jays tied things up at 2 games a piece.

10/29/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Rutgers preview; Illini Headlines; Tristan Thomas talks IHSA Playoffs; Kurtis' Curveballs

Rutgers is riddle with injuries and the Illini are currently 12.5 point favorites for Saturday's sold out game at Gies Memorial Stadium. We dive into the numbers.

Plus, there are A LOT of Illinois sports headlines today. Kurtis has the latest.

Tristan Thomas from WCIA 3 calls us to discuss the IHSA Playoffs. 

And Kurtis throws Evan a bunch of CURVEBALLS including "towns with dirty names."

10/28/25 Hour 2: The Drive's 1st Horror Movie Draft; World Series Game 3; Illini Basketball Nuggets

Game 3 of the World Series was an all-timer between the Dodgers & Blue Jays. The guys will discuss and preview tonight's pitching match-ups.

Kurtis and Evan square off in The Drive's first ever draft: HORROR MOVIES! 

And we have a few nuggets for Illini basketball, including details on how you can win tickets to upcoming games.

10/28/25 Hour 1: Illini Football meet with media; Evan's back in-studio; Did these Headlines Happen?; Kurtis' Curveballs

Evan's medical procedure was a success and he's back in the studio! He also might be a little loopy. Kurtis tests Evan with "Real or Fake Sports Headlines."

Illini O-Lineman Josh Gesky met with the media ahead of Saturday's game with Rutgers. 

Kurtis throws some Curveballs!

10/27/25 Hour 2: Mihailo Petrovic is cleared for Illini basketball; Bears lose to Ravens; Kurtis' Curveballs; and Evan has a PSA for everyone

Mihailo Petrovic is officially cleared to play for the Illinois men's basketball team. We'll give you our instant reactions. 

No Lamar, no problem! The Bears lost a winnable game to the Ravens on Sunday as Tyler Huntley outplayed Caleb Williams. Ben Johnson's frustration was palpable after the game and turned the focus to the leaders on the team.

Kurtis is throwing Curveballs and Evan has a PSA for all the male listeners. 

10/27/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! J helps us break down the Illini loss against Washington, plus answers your questions.

The All-American and former Illinois linebacker J Leman is fired up after the Illini's loss against Washington.

J shares his thoughts on the defense, DC Aaron Henry, the fans' reaction to the loss, and what the Illini need to do going forward. 

The text line was on FIRE for this one.

10/24/25 Hour 2: Final Illini vs Huskies predictions; Bears vs. Ravens; Kurtis vs Evan over a Peacock log-in; Etched in Stone; Friday Toasts!

We give you our final predictions for Illinois vs Washington.

Plus, an incredible Lamar Jackson stat that will most likely determine Sunday's Bears vs Ravens game.

WE NEED SOME MONEY! Get those bets Etched in Stone!

Why did Kurtis and Evan fight over a Peacock log-in, & why does it involve acting legend Kurt Russell?

And we give our FRIDAY TOASTS!

10/24/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Huskies preview; Illinois basketball lands HUGE recruit in Lucas Morillo; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illinois vs Washington is the biggest game on the Big Ten slate this weekend. We check the latest injury report for you and discuss what the Illini need to do to win.

Brad Underwood lands another one! Four-star recruit Lucas Morillo is coming to Champaign next season. We'll tell you what you need to know about the latest Illini.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins the show to talk Big Ten football for this weekend and gives his predictions.

And Kurtis throws you some serious CURVEBALLS!

10/23/25 Hour 2: Kurtis' CURVEBALLS; the latest on the NBA's gambling scandal with Chauncey Billups & Terry Rozier; Want the Illini in the playoffs? Evan tells us who to root for this weekend!

The NBA was rocked by a gambling scandal today involving Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, illegal poker games with the mafia, and more. We dive into the latest on this story.

Kurtis throws us some Curveballs.

Do you want to see the Illini in the NCAA Playoffs? Of course you do! Evan tells us who you need to root for this weekend to help get Illinois closer to that goal.

10/23/25 Hour 1: Fomer Illini & current State Rep. Kam Buckner talks his STARS Bill; Roman Tomashoff talks Huskies vs Illini; Bret Bielema Presser

Former Fighting Illini DE and current Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner kicks off the show. We talk with Kam about his STARS Bill, it's impact on the Bears potential move to Arlington Heights, his relationship with Kevin Warren, and much more.

Roman Tomashoff covers the Huskies for UW Huskies Wire & USA Today. He givs us the Washington side of things before Saturday's game.

And Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema met with the media today. He talked about practice conditions, crowd noise in Washington, injury report, and much more.

10/22/25 Hour 2: Michael Jordan returns to the NBA; Bears vs Ravens preview; More Illini vs Huskies nuggets

Michael Jordan made his return to the NBA family last night in an interview with Mike Tirico on NBC. We react to a few of Jordan's quotes, talk MJ's legacy as a player & an owner, and expectations for him as an analyst.

The Bears take on the Ravens this Sunday and it looks like Lamar Jackson is back. Is it bad news for the Bears? 

Plus a few nuggets for Illinois vs Washington on Saturday - weather, injury report, and more.

10/22/25 Hour 1: Tristan Thomas talks Illini vs Huksies & Week 9 of IHSA Football; Illini Women's Gymnastics Coach Josh Nilson; Kurtis' CURVEBALLS

WCIA-3's Tristan Thomas kicks off the show with boys. We talk about the Illini players that met with the media today, Saturday's game against Washington, and the slate of Friday night football. It's the last week of regular season for IHSA play and a lot of schools are trying to land postseason bids.

Plus, Illinois Women's Gymnastics head coach Josh Nilson talks about the upcoming season and next week's Halloween event.

And Kurtis' CURVEBALLS!

10/21/25 Hour 2: Breaking down Cignetti's monster contract; Illini vs Huskies defensive nuggets; Evan discovers Chris Cagle; Shocking Bears Stat

Details on Curt Cignetti's historic contract at Indiana are out. We dive into the numbers and also some breaking news from the NFL, college football, & baseball.

Evan has some nuggets on the Illini defense vs the Huskies O-Line.

Plus, Kurtis introduces Evan to country star Chris Cagle's music. Chris is coming to the City Center in Champaign.

And the Bears top the NFL in a stat that shocked Kurtis.

10/21/25 Hour 1: Illini OLine Coach Bart Miller & TE Cole Rusk; Blue Jays vs Dodgers in the World Series; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illini OLine Coach Bart Miller & TE Cole Rusk talked with the media today. Miller had a couple of interesting quotes about how the his unit has played so far this year and expectations going forward.

Plus, Cole Rusk talks about having his confidence back and being ready to go against Washington.

And you know Kurtis has some Curveballs for you!

10/20/25 Hour 2: The Great Kyle Tausk talks Illini hoops, Bears win another one, and Kurtis' CURVEBALLS

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer was at State Farm Center for the exhibition against Illinois State. Kyle has great insight on Mirkovic's debut, the absences of Mihailo Petrovic, Andrej Stojakovic, and Tomaslav Ivisivic, & expectations for the season.

Don't look now, but the Chicago Bears have won 4 in a row! We recap the Bears' latest win against the Saints.

Plus, Kurtis is throwing some CURVEBALLS at Evan.

10/20/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! We talk Washington Week, College Football Coaching Carousel, and Illini Postseason Chances

Illini legend and All-American Linebacker J Leman is back in studio! We talk with J about the Illini's upcoming road game with Washington, playoff chances, the college football Coaching Carousel, and STETSON COLOGNE.

10/17/25 Hour 2: Part Two of the Illini's Road to Bowl Games; New Continuation Rule for NCAA Basketball; FRIDAY TOASTS

Your texts continue to pour in about Illinois Football's road to different Bowl Games and our conversation continues!

Plus, there's a new Continuation Rule that goes into effect this season for NCAA basketball. You'll get your first look at it this Sunday when the Illini men's team has a scrimmage with Illinois State.

We also give you our Big Ten + 2 predictions and Friday Toasts!

10/17/25 Hour 1: The Road to the Postseason and Bowl Games for the Illini with Carson Gourdie; Kurtis' Curveballs

Carson Gourdie covers Illinois sports for Fox Illinois and WICS-ABC 20. He also wrote a fantastic article breaking down the Illini's potential road to different Bowl Games and the Playoffs. We talk with Carson about his article and the text lines lit up!

Plus, Kurtis has some Big Ten heavy CURVEBALLS for Evan. 

10/16/25 Hour 2: Kurtis' Curveballs & Seinfeld blew up the text line; Etched In Stone; More on the Cignetti Contract

Kurtis throws a bunch of Curveballs at Evan and it lead to a conversation about SEINFELD that blew up the text lines.

WE NEED MONEY! Get Evan's "Etched in Stone" bets. Follow us @thedrive935 for a bonus bet.

More on Cignetti's contract, what it means to the coaching carousel, and his buyout.

10/16/25 Hour 1: Why the Illini Bye Week is at the perfect time; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten weekend slate; We react to Cignetti's new deal at Indiana

The Illini football team is on a bye this weekend. The guys discuss why it's happening at the perfect time and what it means for the game against Washington next week.

Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins the show to break down this weekend's Big Ten slate.

The guys react to the breaking news about Curt Cignetti's MONSTER deal at Indiana.