The Drive on ESPN 93.5

09/30/25 Hour 2: Illini vs Purdue preview; Altmyer & DeVito; The Debut of "Kurtis' Curveballs," and our WORST sports injuries

The Illini open as 9.5 point favorites against Purdue this weekend. We look at a few more numbers and compare Altmyer vs DeVito. 

Plus, the debut of "Kurtis' Curveballs" and we read your texts about the WORST sports injuries we've ever had.

09/30/25 Hour 1: Bret Bielema Interview; Cardinals say goodbye to Mo & hello to Chaim; Cubs vs Padres

Illini football head coach Bret Bielema joined ESPN 93.5 today to talk about the huge win over USC, Purdue this weekend, and plenty more!

Plus, Cardinals fans say goodbye to Mo and welcome Chaim Bloom. We open up the text line to let Redbird fans voice their feelings on this season and the future of the team.

And the Cubs beat the Padres in Game 1 of the Wild Card round.

09/29/25 Hour 2: Da Bears Block Out the Raiders; Cubs Sweep Cardinals; MLB Postseason Predictions

The Bears snuck out a W against the Raiders in Vegas in an ugly game. Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson go into the bye at 2-2 before a Monday Night showdown with Washington.

Plus, the Cubs wrap up the regular season by sweeping the Cardinals. Is Chicago primed for a postseason run? We have some MLB Postseason Predictions this hour on The Drive!

09/29/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour; Illini Defeat USC on Homecoming!

It wasn't a dream! David Olano kicked the game winner on Saturday and The great J Leman joins us to break down the Illini's historic victory over the USC Trojans.

Plus, why J thinks Purdue could be a trap game for Illinois. 

09/25/25 The Drive Live From Pia's in Champaign!

We kicked off the Illini homecoming festivities at Pia's in Champaign! Big thanks to Illini great Kevin Mitchell for stopping by and to the whole crew at Pia's for having us. 

09/24/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal in-studio; Tristan Thomas w/ a Friday Football Fever Preview; Your Texts

The man behind IlliniBoard.com Robert Rosenthal joins us in-studio to talk about Illinois vs USC, his awful experience in Bloomington during the Indiana game, and taking things one game at a time.

Plus WCIA 3's Tristan Thomas is back with a preview of the local high school games in Central Illinois.

09/24/25 Hour 1: Countdown to Illini vs USC; Big Ten Weekend Games; Caleb Williams Offensive Player of the Week

We're one day closer to Homecoming for the Illini. We'll dive into the latest roster news for both teams.

Plus a breakdown of the other Big Ten games happening this weekend and Caleb Williams was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week! Can he repeat against a 1-2 Raiders team on Sunday?

09/23/25 Hour 2: MLB postseason picture for Cubs, Cardinals, and Reds; MLB Robot Umpires; Illini vs USC

We dive into the MLB postseason picture. Find out why Evan hopes the Reds get to the World Series!

Plus, MLB has approved "robot umpires" for next year.

What are the worst losses you've experienced as a fan? 

Also, why it's time for Illini fans to move on from the Indiana game and focus solely on USC.

09/23/25 Hour 1: Illini OL Coach Bart Miller addresses media; Dan Wetzel's article; Cubs concerns?

Illinois O-Line coach Bart Miller addressed the media today. What are his concerns going forward and what does he hope to accomplish against USC?

Plus, ESPN's Dan Wetzel wrote an article stating "Indiana has yet to beat anyone" and that upset a few Illini fans. The guys react and read your texts.

Plus, is there any concern that the Cubs haven't won a game since clinching a playoff spot?

09/22/25 Hour 2: Illini fans reactions on the text line; Bears beat the Cowboys; Bruce Pearl announces his retirement

Kurtis and Evan go through your Illini texts at 217-359-2255.

Plus, the Bears beat the Cowboys on a wild NFL Sunday.

And Bruce Pearl announced his retirement. We read your unfiltered texts to the announcement.

09/22/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour; J's reaction to Illinois' 63-10 loss against Indiana

Saturday night was a rough one for Illini football and fans. Is it time to push the panic button? J Leman says no way!

J breaks down Saturday night's loss, looks ahead to homecoming against USC, and reacts to Bret Bielema's press conference.

09/19/25 Hour 2: Kyle Tausk talks Illini basketball schedule & Cubs playoffs; Illini vs IU score predictions; Friday Toasts

The great Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer is back with us! Kyle breaks down the men's basketball schedule and also talks Cubs postseason baseball.

Plus, we share YOUR score predictions for the Illini vs Indiana game and we give our Friday toasts!

09/19/25 Hour 1: Illinois vs Indiana preview with Nick Rodecap from The Hoosier Network

Game Day is almost here and we're ready! Illinois vs Indiana kicks off tomorrow night in Bloomington on NBC. We're talking Nick Rodecap from The Hoosier Network about the IU perspective and breaking down the match-ups. 

09/18/25 Hour 2: Mike Schumann from The Daily Hoosier talks Illinois vs Indiana; Etched in Stone Bets for the weekend

Mike Schumann is the founder of The Daily Hoosier and has been covering Indiana football since 1995. He joins us to talk about Saturday's primetime game against the Illini.

Also, we need some money! Get those Etched in Stone bets for this weekend!

09/18/25 Hour 1: Illini's Xavier Scott doubtful vs Indiana; Illini Basketball's Big Ten Schedule, Ravi Lulla talks Big Ten Football

Breaking News: Xavier Scott is doubtful for Saturday night against Indiana. What will this mean for the Illini defense and how will they adjust? 

Also, the Illini Big Ten basketball schedule has been released. The Illini will take a trip to LA in February, and host Michigan on a Friday night. Get the details this hour!

Plus Ravi Lulla from HurrDat sports joins us to break down the weekend schedule of Big Ten Football.

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.