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Sunny Verma of Locked On Illini joins The Drive to break down the latest surrounding Illinois athletics. Verma discusses why Illinois wide receiver Jayshon Platt could be a special player for the Illini, the importance of special teams, and what role Platt could play as both a receiver and return specialist. Platt is coming off a 2025 season at Florida Atlantic in which he recorded 46 receptions for 720 yards and five touchdowns while also providing a major boost in the return game.

The conversation also turns to Illinois basketball and the expected role of Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists per game last season and is expected to be one of Illinois' primary playmakers.

Plus, Evan's Random Illini Players of the Day!

Pete Crow-Armstrong put together one of the most memorable nights in Cubs history, becoming just the sixth player in MLB history to hit both a leadoff homer and a walk-off homer in the same game. PCA went 4-for-5 with two home runs in the Cubs' 7-5, 10-inning win over the White Sox, while his second homer gave him 30 home runs and secured his second straight 30-30 season.

The Cardinals and Reds split Monday's doubleheader, with St. Louis taking Game 1 before Cincinnati rallied for a walk-off win in Game 2. The focus turns to the series finale Tuesday, including the latest on Joshua Báez after his historic three-homer MLB debut. Báez went 0-for-9 in Monday's doubleheader, but his incredible start has Cardinals fans wondering if they've found another major piece for the future.

Then it's time for another Illini Football positional breakdown, with the spotlight on the offensive line. Illinois is working through a major overhaul up front, with new faces and limited continuity making the O-line one of the biggest questions heading into the 2026 season.

Doug Bucshon of On3’s Orange & Blue News joins The Drive to break down the latest Illinois football storylines as the Illini inch closer to the 2026 season. The conversation covers the team's injury situation, key position battles still being decided in training camp, and whether the revamped offensive line is starting to develop the chemistry it needs. Illinois is replacing four starters up front, making the O-line one of the biggest areas to watch heading into the season.

Plus, Kurtis and Evan bring back Random Illini Football Players of the Day, highlighting some names from Illinois football history that deserve another look.

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Hour 2 of The Drive gets you ready for a big weekend of baseball as the St. Louis Cardinals head to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series beginning Friday, August 14. The rivals meet with both teams looking to make a push in the NL Central, setting the stage for another heated weekend at Wrigley.

The guys also check in on former Illinois football players making their mark in NFL preseason action. With preseason games underway, which Illini have the best opportunity to make an NFL roster, and who could be fighting for a bigger role?

And, unfortunately, it's time for a Friday Toast with a twist: the crew raises a glass to Quinntern the Intern, who is wrapping up her final day with The Drive. Plenty of laughs, memories and well wishes as the team says goodbye.

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In Hour 1 of The Drive, Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone dive into a big night for former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer, who gets the start for the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Altmyer is getting a major opportunity to showcase what he can do as he competes for a spot on Detroit's roster.

The guys also discuss the latest developments in the Chicago Bears' stadium situation. Bears leadership says the organization is conducting its due diligence on potential sites in Hammond, Indiana, with the team currently focused on two Northwest Indiana locations. Despite the Indiana discussions, the franchise says it would remain the Chicago Bears if it eventually crosses the state line.

Plus, it's time for another edition of Evan's Random Illini Football Players of the Day, featuring another name from the long and fascinating history of Illinois football.

Due to severe weather and tornado warnings across the area, Hour 1 of The Drive was preempted for storm coverage. We still packed plenty into Hour 2!

🏀 Random Illini Players of the Day – We dig into the Illinois history books and highlight some memorable—and perhaps forgotten—Fighting Illini players.

🏆 Tuesday Draft: Best Traditions in Sports – Kurtis, Evan, and Quinntern The Intern draft their favorite traditions from across the world of sports. Which traditions are must-haves for any great fanbase, and which ones deserve more recognition?

Plus, plenty of sports talk, debate and Illini conversation.

Listen to The Drive on ESPN 93.5 for the latest on Illinois sports, Chicago sports and everything happening around the sports world.

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with Chicago Bears and Illinois football talk!

Kurtis and Evan are joined by Chris Kwiecinski of FOX 32 to discuss the latest on Luther Burden III's injury, what it means for the Bears' wide receiver depth, and why there's reason for optimism surrounding Chicago's defense.

Then it's back to Champaign for an Illinois football defensive back breakdown, looking at the Illini secondary and the players who could make an impact this season.

Plus, we preview the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies, including what to watch for in the matchup.

In Hour 2:
🏈 Chris Kwiecinski on the Luther Burden injury
🐻 Bears offensive depth and defensive optimism
🧡 Illinois football DB breakdown
⚾ Cardinals vs. Phillies preview
🔥 More Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis sports talk

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The Dog Days of Summer are here, but Illinois football season is getting closer! On Hour 1 of The Drive, Kurtis and Evan dive into the latest Illini football storylines, including what fans should be watching as fall camp continues.

Plus, we have some fun with the strangest and most unexpected football opponents Big Ten schools have played, bring back Random Illini Players of the Day, and check in on the Chicago Cubs, who continue to roll as the MLB season heats up.

In this hour:
🏈 Illinois Football and the Dog Days of Summer
🤔 The strangest teams Big Ten schools have played
🧡 Random Illini Players of the Day
⚾ Cubs keep rolling
🔥 Plenty of Illini and Chicago sports talk

Illinois has a long and unusual football history, with more than 130 seasons and 99 major opponents documented in its all-time head-to-head records.

Listen to The Drive for the latest Illini, Cubs, Bears and Big Ten conversation!

The Chicago Cubs are rolling, and Alex Patt of Chi City Sports joins The Drive to break down the team's recent surge, why the Cubs' moves at the MLB Trade Deadline could pay off, and whether Alex Bregman is finally starting to look like the player Chicago hoped it signed.

Then it's time to turn the attention to Illinois football, with a breakdown of the Illini linebackers heading into the 2026 season. Kurtis and Evan look at the depth, key players and biggest questions facing the position group.

And, of course, the week wraps up with Friday Toasts, as Kurtis and Evan raise a glass to the people, teams and moments that deserve some recognition.

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Illinois basketball sophomore star David Mirkovic is dealing with a significant foot injury that required surgery, and Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer joins The Drive to discuss the seriousness of the injury, his expected recovery and what it means for the Illini heading into the 2026-27 season. Early reports indicate a recovery timeline of roughly 6–8 weeks, with Illinois still expecting Mirkovic to be ready for the start of the season.

Kyle, Kurtis and Evan also examine Illinois basketball's depth and how the roster can withstand a potentially extended absence from one of its most important frontcourt pieces.

Plus, it's time for Evan's Random Illinois Football Players of the Day, and the guys react to new Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland's bizarre opening press conference, where he took an immediate shot at rival Indiana by saying Purdue is where you go if you want to win championships. The comment quickly drew criticism and plenty of attention.

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with Illinois football and Major League Baseball talk!

The guys continue their Illinois football position previews by taking an in-depth look at the Fighting Illini defensive line. Can this unit become one of the Big Ten's best? They discuss the impact of the returning veterans, breakout candidates, pass rush expectations, and how the defensive front could shape Illinois' 2026 season.

Then it's on to the Chicago Cubs after a thrilling extra-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The crew breaks down the dramatic finish, key performances, and what the win means as the Cubs continue their push toward the postseason.

Finally, the debate heats up: Should Pete Crow-Armstrong be ahead of Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race? The guys compare offensive production, elite defense, overall value, and whether PCA has done enough to overtake baseball's biggest superstar.

If you're looking for daily Illinois football coverage, Cubs analysis, MLB news, and Big Ten discussion, The Drive has you covered.

Illinois football training camp is heating up, and Carson Gourdie from WICS joins The Drive to break down the biggest storylines on the defensive side of the ball. The guys discuss why the Illini defense has the potential to be one of the Big Ten's best, key position battles, and players who could emerge as difference-makers this season.

They also dive into Illinois' intriguing backup quarterback competition behind Katin Houser, examining the battle between Carson Boyd, Michael Clayton II, and Dane Eisenmenger as camp continues. The QB2 race has become one of the most talked-about storylines of fall camp.

Plus, Evan returns with another edition of Random Illinois Football Players of the Day, featuring memorable names from Illini football history and plenty of laughs along the way.

If you're an Illini football fan, this is your daily source for Illinois football news, analysis, recruiting, Big Ten discussion, and training camp updates.

The Chicago Cubs continue their incredible stretch by completing a series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, raising even more questions about whether they're the team to beat in the National League. We break down what stood out during the series, the biggest contributors, and what the sweep means heading into the final two months of the season.

We also preview tonight's matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees, discussing the pitching matchup, key players to watch, and what's at stake as the Cardinals continue their postseason push.

To close out the show, Pierce The Fierce challenges Kurtis and Evan for one of the most entertaining drafts yet—a fantasy draft of the greatest professional wrestlers since 1990. Which legends came off the board first? Who built the best roster? And which iconic wrestlers were surprisingly left out?

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🎙️ Listen to The Drive weekdays on ESPN 93.5 with Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone.

Illinois basketball received concerning news as sophomore star David Mirkovic underwent successful surgery on his left foot after suffering an injury during a recent team workout. The guys discuss what the injury means for the Illini heading into the 2026-27 season, early reports suggesting a 6-to-8 week recovery timeline, and why Illinois still expects Mirkovic to make a full recovery before the season gets underway. They also break down how Brad Underwood could adjust if Mirkovic misses additional time and which players may be asked to step into larger roles.

Later, Ravi Lulla joins the show to discuss the biggest headlines coming out of the Big Ten as fall camp ramps up. The conversation includes which conference contenders are generating the most buzz, what to make of preseason expectations around the league, and a look at several head coaches who could find themselves on the hot seat if their teams underperform in 2026. Ravi also shares his thoughts on Illinois' outlook entering the season and where the Illini stack up against the rest of the conference.

The hour wraps up with another edition of Random Illini Football Players of the Day, highlighting memorable names from Illinois football history while taking a trip down memory lane with listeners.

J Leman joins The Drive to preview the 2026 Illinois football season, discussing expectations for Bret Bielema, key players, and what could make this Illini team special. Jacob Infante breaks down the latest from Chicago Bears training camp, including the impact of Coby Bryant's injury and standout performers. Plus, the Cubs emerge as one of the biggest winners of the MLB Trade Deadline with several key additions, while the Cardinals begin reshaping their roster by trading Lars Nootbaar. Catch all the biggest Illini, Bears, Cubs, Cardinals, and NFL headlines from August 4, 2026. The Cubs were widely viewed as aggressive buyers at the deadline, while St. Louis shifted toward selling by moving Nootbaar.

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08-03-26 ESPN The Drive Hour 2, Evan Stone and Pierce talk about trade deadline, and what we think about the Cardinals and Cubs made.

08-03-26 ESPN The Drive Hour 1, Evan Stone and Pierce talk about trade deadline, and the upcoming Illinois football season

The Drive recaps an eventful first week of Chicago Bears training camp, highlighting an offense that continues to generate excitement while the defense works through early camp growing pains. Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone discuss Caleb Williams' development, the playmakers standing out, and whether Bears fans should be encouraged by the offensive progress.

The conversation then shifts to the NFL, where the guys explain why the Los Angeles Chargers have all the ingredients to be a legitimate Super Bowl sleeper in 2026. They also preview the Cardinals' upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays, discussing key pitching matchups and what St. Louis needs after losing three of four to the Cubs. The week closes with another edition of Friday Toasts, celebrating the biggest winners and memorable moments from the week in sports.

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Austin Burklund of Armchair Illini joins The Drive to break down expectations for Bret Bielema and Illinois football entering the 2026 season. The conversation covers what success looks like for the Illini, key players to watch, the biggest challenges on the schedule, and why Washington has the potential to emerge as one of the Big Ten's biggest surprise teams this year.

Later in the hour, Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone recap the Cubs taking three of four games from the Cardinals in a heated rivalry series. The guys discuss what went wrong for St. Louis, what the series means for both teams moving forward, and the latest storylines around the National League playoff race.

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Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with football talk from both the NFL and college ranks. Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins the show to discuss the early chemistry between Caleb Williams and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden on the opening day of Chicago Bears training camp, while also examining concerns the coaching staff may have with standout defensive back Kyler Gordon. Later, Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports recaps Big Ten Media Days, highlighting the coaches and players who elevated their stock, the conference's biggest storylines, and what stood out as teams prepare for the 2026 college football season.

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