The Drive on ESPN 93.5

08-29-25 Hour 1 - Illini Football is back tonight!

We're ready for tonight's home opener! Kurtis and Evan recap rosters, a look at last night's Big Ten games, and a preview of tonight's festivities at Memorial Stadium.

08-28-25 The Drive Live at Pia's in Champaign

Here are some of the highlights of our live broadcast at Pia's in Champaign. We get you set for the Illini home opener against WIU, Etched in Stone bets, the Micah Parsons trade, and more!

**This is an abbreviated podcast due to Cardinals baseball.

08-27-25 Hour 2: Cardinals lose to the Pirates, Taking the kids Tailgating, and We're headed to Pia's!

The Cardinals drop one to the Pirates, but have Sonny Gray on the bump for the next outing. We discuss.

Plus, we discuss the do's and don'ts for taking your kids to their first games.

And we're hyped for Pia's tomorow!

08-27-25 Hour 1: Update on NFL cuts & Illini alums, Tristan Thomas from WCIA, and 4 Illini Predictions

There were a handful of Illini alum that were cut from NFL rosters yesterday. We'll update you on where Tommy DeVito and others landed.

Plus, Tristan Thomas of WCIA3 joins us to talk about some of the big high school football games this Friday night. 

And Evan has 4 bold predictions for this Friday night's Illini game. It's The Drive!

08-26-25 Hour 2 - Cardinals Redbird Recap, WIU's play-by-play man BJ Stone, and Why did Kurtis Cry on the air?

The Redbirds had a big comeback win last night and a bad one for Wilson Contreras.  We'll dive into the schedule.

Also, Western Illinois University's play-by-play man BJ Stone joins the show to discuss what the Illini can expect from the Leathernecks on Friday night. 

And what did Evan say that made Kurtis CRY on the show?? Find out! It's The Drive!

08-26-25 Hour 1: Lunney Talks Hudson Clement, Adam Schonauer from Mahomet Flag Football, NFL / Illini Cuts

Illini OC Barry Lunney had some great things to say about Hudson Clement evolving in the Illini offense. We'll dive into that.

Plus, Mahomet Lady Bulldogs flag football coach Adam Schonauer joins the show to discuss the sport growing at local schools. It's a great conversation!

Also, a handful of Illini greats were cut from NFL rosters today. We discuss who we think could be claimed off of waivers and their best landing spots.

08-25-25 Hour 2: Mihailo Petrovic is officially on campus, Bret Bielema's Press Conference, and Cards/Cubs

Mihailo Petrovic is officially in Champaign and Illini basketball fans are rejoicing. Plus, more from Coach Bielema's press conference. And why things continue to look up for the Cardinals & Cubs. It's The Drive!

08-25-25 Hour 1: J Leman is back on The Drive to talk Illini Football!

It's the first J Leman hour of 2025 and he's breaking down everything Illini football! Plus, we'll get J's reaction to Coach Bielema's press conference from today and much more. He's a force of nature and he's back!

08-22-25 Hour 2: The Debut of "Etched in Stone," Cubs / Cards talk, and Friday Toasts!

There are five college football games this weekend and a few juicy betting lines. Evan's ready to lay some bets with the debut of "Etched in Stone."

Plus, the schedule looks favorable for the Cardinals through Labor Day. Can they make a run at the Wild Card? And what about the Cubs? 

And we have our Friday Toasts! Cheers!

08-22-25 Hour 1: Kurtis and Evan predict the Illini football schedule. Plus preview Bears vs. Chiefs

We're one week away from the Illini kicking off the 2025 football season. Kurtis and Evan lock in their win/loss picks.

Plus, the Bears take on the Chiefs in the last preseason game. How much of the starters do you need to see tonight? 

And who are the QB's you'd take over Patrick Mahomes? Evan has a few. 

It's Friday on The Drive!

08-21-25 Hour 2: Illini Hoops Non-Conference Breakdown and Ravi Lulla talks B1G TEN Football

The Illini Basketball nonconference schedule is officially out and there are some intriguing games in neutral zones. We'll break it down.

Also, don't miss our conversation with Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports about the B1G TEN football season. Ravi gives us some great insight from around the conference and how outsiders are viewing the Illini. 

08-21-25 The Drive Hour 1: Gabe Jacas & Illini Talk, Cards & Cubs Playoff Chatter, and REALLY expensive tickets

We follow up on Gabe Jacas being 22 in ESPN's Top 100 College Football Players of the Year. Illini fans should be very excited about Gabe's potential sack totals for this year.

Plus, are people writing off the Cardinals postseason hopes a little too soon? Can the Cubs possibly catch the Brewers? The odds might be better than you think.

And what's the most you would spend on tickets to see the Illini in a championship game? 

08-20-25 Hour 2: Bears QB room is in good shape, Colts QB is not, and the Browns have 100 QBs

Tyson Bagent got a 2 year extension from the Bears. Kurtis and Evan discuss how it helps from a front office perspective.

Also, Anthony Richardson is out and Daniel Jones is in for the Colts. Plus, the Browns have way too many quarterbacks.

08-20-25 Hour 1: Luke Altmyer snubbed, Cards & Cubs winning, and Your Favorite Tailgate

A list of the Top 100 Players in College Football was just released. Gabe Jacas and Xavier Scott made the list, but Luke Altmyer did not. Kurtis and Evan discuss.

Plus, the Cardinals and Cubs get big wins as the playoff race gets tighter.

And what's your dream tailgate? 

08-19-25 Hour 2: How will the Cardinals improve in 2026, Cubs bench Tucker, and High School Shout outs

Imagine you're in charge of the St. Louis Cardinals. How are you fixing the franchise for 2026 and beyond? Kurtis & Evan discuss.

Plus, the Cubs benched Kyle Tucker while trying to keep pace with the Brewers. 

And we received a bunch of shout outs for local high schools. Lets go!

08-19-25 Hour 1: Bret Bielema on expanding the post season, Illini Defense, and Fantasy Football Weirdness

Bret Bielema weighed in on expanding the College Football Playoffs. Kurtis & Evan react.

Plus, a deeper into into Illini Football's defense and people are getting WEIRD with Fantasy Football. 

08-18-25 Hour 2: The Bears rolled the Bills, The Brewers rolled the Cubs, and the Cardinals exist.

Is anyone else ready to do the Super Bowl Shuffle? The Ben Johnson era of the Chicago Bears started with a big preseason win over the Buffalo Bills. Kurtis & Evan discuss what they liked and why some fans should pump the breaks.

Plus the Brewers keep winning and the Cubs keep losing. Also, should the Cardinals have been more active at the trade deadline? 

08-18-25 Hour 1: The Drive is BACK and we're talking Illini Football!

It's an all-new era for The Drive on ESPN 93.5! Stevie Jay Broadcasting welcomes Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone as your new hosts. 

The first hour of the show addresses the departure of longtime host Lon Tay. Plus we're talking Illini Football expectations and how we can get College Gameday to town.

07/03/25: Hour 2 - The Future of The Drive Part 2, and Matt Sillich Talks Illini Stars in the NBA

What is The Future of The Drive? Join Lon and Kurtis for a very open, honest discussion about what's next. Make sure you mark August 18th on your calendars.

Plus, Matt Sillich calls in to chat about expectations for the former Illini stars in the NBA next season. Ayo, TSJ, KJ, and Will are all in good positions. Matt tells us why!

And we TOAST one to you! It is The Drive.

07/03/25 Hour 1 - The Future of The Drive Part 1, Next Question Cardinals vs Cubs, and More

Lon and Kurtis are back and get you ready for the Cardinals vs Cubs 4th of July series. 

Plus we do Next Question and answer your texts.