The Drive on ESPN 93.5

10/15/25 Hour 2: WCIA's Tristan Thomas talks Bret Bielema / Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List & this week's local high school games; Are the Brewers cursed? Kam Buckner's Bears Proposal

Our friend Tristan Thomas from WCIA 3 joins the show to talk about Bret Bielema being on the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List. Plus we dive into this week's local high school games.

Are the Brewers cursed since Flying the L? They're down 2-0 to the Dodgers and the Mariners are up 2-0 on the Blue Jays.

Former Illini player Kam Buckner is now a state representative and has proposed a bill that could keep the Bears at Soldier Field & out of Arlington Heights. 

10/15/25 Hour 1: Illini legend Kendall Bostic surprises the show; Hank Beatty on Biletnikoff Watch List; Bears are Back; Kurtis' Curveballs

It's an Illini-Heavy first hour of the show! All-time rebounding leader Kendall Bostic surprises the show with a phone call to discuss "Field Trip Day" and the rest of the Illini Women's Basketball home schedule.

Plus, Hank Beatty is FINALLY on Biletnikoff Watch List. We look at his stats and the other Big Ten nominees.

Kurtis has a double dose of CURVEBALLS and Evan is back in-studio to discuss the Bears win on Monday Night.

10/14/25 Hour 1: Bears stun the Commanders; Expectations for Illini Basketball; Another Illini football sellout; Kurtis' Curveballs

Did the Bears exercise some demons against the Commanders last night? It was a stunning victory, followed by a fired up Ben Johnson. 

Illini basketball is back! Who is the player Brad Underwood "wouldn't want to fight?" Kurtis runs through the early part of the schedule and why he thinks this team has an edge.

Illini football is on a bye week, but the next home game is SOLD OUT! Find out how you can score tickets. Plus, are they still a 10 win team?

And Kurtis gets spooky with today's Curveballs.

10/13/25 Hour 2: Bears vs Commanders on MNF; Illini basketball's preseason ranking; Cignetti to Penn State?, Kurtis' CURVEBALLS; Etched in Stone Recap

The Bears are coming off a bye week to play a Monday Night game against the Commanders. Find out why the bye week has been bad for the Bears and if Ben Johnson can turn things around.

The NCAA preseason Top 25 basketball rankings are out. The Illini come in at #17 in the nation and have a stacked schedule. We break it down.

Plus we give you Kurtis' CURVEBALLS, Etched in Stone Recap, and will Cignetti take the Penn State job?

10/13/25 Hour 1: J Leman is in studio and FIRED UP after the Illini game against Ohio State

It's The J Leman Hour on the Drive and the man is PUMPED today! We get J's thoughts on the Illini's performance against Ohio State.

Plus, J's son joins us with the inside scoop on how he got ON STAGE at Big Noon Kickoff.

And is it time for the Illini to become a pass-first team? J has a very passionate answer to that question. Don't miss Hour 1 of The Drive!

10/10/25 Hour 2: Final predictions for Illini vs Buckeyes; Kurtis' Curveballs; Etched in Stone; Friday Toasts

We talk more scheme and how Illinois can beat Ohio State.

Plus Kurtis' Curveballs, Etched in Stone, Big Ten Plus 2, and our Friday toasts!

10/10/25 Hour 1: Illini defensive matchups with Ohio State; Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football; Cubs force Game 5 vs Brewers

We are hours away from the biggest game of the Bielema era. How can the Illini leave Gies Memorial Stadium tomorrow with a win over the Buckeyes? We discuss.

Plus, was last night the best the Cubs have played this postseason? We think so! The Cubs have forced a Game 5 with the Brewers.

And our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports joins us to break down a full slate of Big Ten Football.

10/09/25 Hour 1: Illini Hall of Fame Inductee Theresa Grentz joins The Drive!

Former Women's basketball head coach, Naismith Hall of Famer, and 2025 Illini Athletics Hall of Inductee Theresa Grentz joined us at Pia's in Champaign. 

Check out this incredible conversation with a trailblazer and Illini legend.

10/08/25 Hour 2: Illini Soccer's Head Coach Katie Hultin; Cubs vs Brewers Game 3; News on Illini Hall of Fame Inductees Kiwanee Garris & Theresa Grentz

Illini Women's Soccer Head Coach Katie Hultin joins us ahead of the team's final homestand for this season. 

The Cubs jumped out on the Brewers in Game 3. Will they force a Game 4?

Plus, 2025 Illini Hall of Fame Inductees Kiwanee Garris and Theresa Grentz will join us tomorrow at Pia's in Champaign! Get the details on how you can join us and meet these Illini legends.

10/08/25 Hour 1: Illinois vs Ohio State biggest game in school history?; Marching Illini to Macy's Thanksgiving Parade; WCIA's Tristan Thomas; Kurtis' CURVEBALLS

Is this Saturday's game against the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes the biggest in Illinois football history? It very well could be.

Plus, shoutout to the Marching Illini! They'll be participating in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Is it too early to talk turkey?

WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas joins us for more Illini talk and a preview of all the local high school games.

And another one of Kurtis' CURVEBALLS!

10/07/25 Hour 2: Illini Hall of Fame inductee and Cardinals great Scott Spiezio joins the show

Scott Spiezio can now add "Hall of Fame Inductee" to his resume. He talks with Kurtis & Evan about his career, his struggles, finding sobriety, and what the Illini Hall of Fame means to him. This is one fantastic conversation!

 

10/07/25 Hour 1: Illini meet with press ahead of OSU game; Cubs down 2-0 to Brewers; Kurtis' Curveballs

The Illini Football team met with the media today ahead of the Hall of Fame game against Ohio State. Hear from Ashton Collins, Ca'lil Valentine, and David Olano.

Plus the Cubs are down but not out with the Brewers. Can they get back into their NLDS series? 

And Kurtis throws a giant Curveball at Evan!

10/06/25 Hour 2: Cubs vs Brewers game 2; Kurtis' Curveballs ft. Dolphins; NFL talk, Famous Bo's; Illini tix

The Brewers crushed the Cubs in game 1 of the NLDS. Can the Cubs bounce back tonight in Game 2? 

Kurtis' Curveballs: dolphins are officially the smartest "nonhuman" animal on the planet.

Who are the most famous Bo's you know?

And would you like some tickets for Saturday's Illini game? You know you do!

10/06/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour! We talk Illini's win over Purdue, OSU coming to town, Big Noon Kickoff, and more

He's back and he's hyped! The great J Leman is back in studio!

We break down the Illini's road win over Purdue on Saturday. Plus a preview of the Ohio State Buckeyes coming to town, another Big Noon Kickoff, and J's predictions.

 

10/03/25 Hour 2: Illini vs Purdue predictions and why Taylor Swift matters to the game; Big Ten Predictions; Our Friday Toasts

WE WANT THAT CANNON!

The Illini take on Purdue tomorrow. We give our predictions and yours from the text line. Plus, a trip around the Big Ten (plus 2) for tomorrow's games.

And it wouldn't be a Friday without our toasts!

10/03/25 Hour 1: Kyle Tausk talks Brad Underwood's presser & Illini hoops; Preview Cubs vs Brewers Game 1; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illini coach Brad Underwood met with the media today and had plenty of interesting nuggets. We talk with our guy Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer about his takeaways.

Plus, the Cubs have a date with the Brewers in the NLDS. We preview the game and discuss the potential Game 1 pitching matchups.

And have you ever been thrown out of a game? Turns out A LOT of people have and we share the numbers in today's "Kurtis' Curveballs!"

10/02/25 Hour 2: Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports Talks Big Ten Football; "Etched in Stone" Bets; Cubs chase Darvish

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports takes us around the Big Ten slate of football for this weekend. 

WE NEED SOME MONEY! Check out this week's "Etched in Stone" bets with Evan.

The Cubs chased Yu Darvish after 1 inning, but can they win game 3 against the Padres?

And what horror movie is Kurtis watching today?

10/02/25 Hour 1: Bret Bielema Press Conference Ahead of Purdue; Cubs vs Padres Game 3; Kurtis' Curveballs

Illini head coach Bret Bielema talked to the press today ahead of the Illini's showdown with Purdue. Coach B got emotional talking about a couple of his players.

Plus, the Cubs and Padres are tied at 1 game apiece. 

And how does Tom Brady avoid a sunburn? Find out with Kurtis' Curveballs!

10/01/25 Hour 2: Kurtis' CURVEBALLS; Breaking Big Ten News; Tristan Thomas previews the local high school games; Spooky Season is here!

What are the least respected professions in the United States? Find out with today's edition of "Kurtis' Curveballs."

Breaking Big Ten news that could prevent a Super Conference. We'll discuss with WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas and get a preview of the local high school games.

And it's Spooky Season! Kurtis & some texters school Evan on what he should be watching this month.

10/01/25 Hour 1: Illini vs Purdue w/ Jimmy Sobeski; Cubs & MLB Playoffs; Barry Lunney's next coaching job

We want the cannon!

It's Illinois vs Purdue week and Jimmy Sobeski joins the show to give us the Boilermakers perspective of the game. Is this a trap game?

Plus, will Illini OC Barry Lunney stick around after this year? Where would he be a good fit as a head coach in 2026?

And the Cubs & Padres are tied in the MLB playoffs.