The Drive on ESPN 93.5

7/31/23 Hour 1: We’re Back! Football season on the horizon, Cubs red hot; Chris Widlic (CBS Indy) talks Jonathan Taylor saga and Purdue expectations

Lon and Derek return from a week off to discuss some built-up football thoughts as the season nears and the Cubs' red hot stretch. Later, Chris Widlic from CBS Indianapolis joins the show to share some insight on the Jonathan Taylor situation and what he expects from Ryan Walters in Year 1 at Purdue.

7/20/23 Hour 2: Next Question: NFL Edition- How high can Mahomes reach on the all-time ladder? Is Justin Fields a top running QB ever?

Derek and Kyle hit on a variety of NFL topics in Next Question including the current free agent running backs, how high Patrick Mahomes can reach on all-time lists, and some recent Justin Fields comments.

7/20/23 Hour 1: Cubs/Cardinals series could decide each team’s deadline fate; Why aren’t running backs getting paid?

Derek and Kyle preview the upcoming series between the Cubs and Cardinals and what it could mean for each team as the trade deadline approaches. Later, the guys discuss why running backs aren't getting paid and if the NFL contract structure needs to change.

7/18/23 Hour 2: Phil Steele’s Big Ten football position group rankings; Gut feel on Week 2 Kansas game

Lon, Derek, and Kyle react to Phil Steele's Big Ten football position group rankings and where Illinois stacks up with the rest of the conference. Later, the guys give their initial gut feel on if Illinois beats Kansas Week 2 and discuss how important that game is for the rest of the season.

7/18/23 Hour 1: Which pitchers should the Cardinals keep around?; Illini football’s historic lack of tight end talent

Lon and Derek discuss some more Cardinals trade deadline topics including if they should try keeping Jack Flaherty or Jordan Montgomery. Later, the guys talk about Illini football's lack of tight end talent over the years and how important it is in today's game.

7/17/23 Hour 2: DeAndre Hopkins finds a new home; Itching for some Illinois football

Lon and Derek discuss DeAndre Hopkins signing with the Tennessee Titans and some other NFL topics. Later, the guys talk about how ready they are for Illinois football and what they're looking for when the season begins.

7/17/23 Hour 1: Who is untouchable on the Cardinals?; Should the Angels trade Shohei?

Lon and Derek discuss which players they would and wouldn't trade on the Cardinals roster. Later, the guys share their thoughts on if they think Shohei Ohtani should get traded at the deadline.

7/14/23 Hour 2: First look at 2023 NFL season- which teams are being slept on?

Derek and Kyle take their first look at what the 2023 NFL season could look like and discuss which teams aren't getting enough love and which could contend for a Super Bowl.

7/14/23 Hour 1: Greg Huss (Cubs on Deck) talks Cubs draft class and farm system outlook; Dreaming up Shohei Ohtani trade packages

Greg Huss from the Cubs on Deck podcast joins the show to recap the Cubs and Cardinals' draft picks and discuss the state of the Cubs farm system. Later, Derek and Kyle brainstorm some potential trade packages for Shohei Ohtani.

7/13/23 Hour 2: Jason Patt (ClutchPoints) talks Ayo’s free agency and Bulls outlook; What do the Bulls need to do to compete again?

Jason Patt from ClutchPoints joins the show to share some insight on Ayo Dosunmu's free agency and some of the Bulls' offseason moves. Later, Derek and Kyle discuss the current state of the Bulls and the potential paths they could take to build another championship contender.

7/13/23 Hour 1: New York Jets selected for Hard Knocks; Where does Northwestern football go from here?

Derek and Kyle discuss their level of excitement about the Jets being this year's "Hard Knocks" team and how they could fare this NFL season. Later, the guys continuing reacting to the Northwestern football situation and talk about what's next for the program going forward.

7/12/23 Hour 2: Any intrigue in NBA’s new in-season tournament? Reacting to John Mozeliak’s comments

Derek and Kyle discuss whether or not they're intrigued by the NBA's new in-season tournament and how the league can incentivize teams to be competitive. Later, the guys react to John Mozeliak's recent comments about the state of the Cardinals.

7/12/23 Hour 1: Thoughts on the MLB All-Star game- how can it be better?; Reflecting on Matthew Mayer’s wild year

Derek and Kyle recap the MLB All-Star game and share some thoughts on how the festivities can be improved. Later, the guys look back at some of the wild moments of Matthew Mayer's year in Champaign.

7/11/23 Hour 2: Former Illini volleyball player Mica Allison in studio!; Hindsight on the Arozarena & Garcia trades

Former Illini volleyball player Mica Allison joins the guys in studio to talk about her career. Later, Derek provides the painful details of the Randy Arozarena and Adolis Garcia trades for the Cardinals.

7/11/23 Hour 1: Illini football players Dylan Davis & Kirkland Michaux in studio!

Lon and Derek have Illini football DL Dylan Davis and QB Kirkland Michaux in studio to talk about the offseason and a number of other topics.

7/10/23 Hour 2: Home Run Derby idea; Pat Fitzgerald in trouble at Northwestern

Lon and Derek talk about the Home Run Derby and their idea to incorporate former star sluggers. Later, the guys give their thoughts on the hazing situation at Northwestern.

7/10/23 Hour 1: Piper’s thoughts on Peach Jam; Nic DiFilippo (Mahomet baseball) on Blake Wolters

Derek is back from Peach Jam and he shares his thoughts on Morez Johnson and more. Later, the guys are joined by Mahomet baseball coach Nic DiFiippo to discuss Blake Wolters getting picked by the Kansas City Royals on Sunday night.

07/07/23 Hour 2: Piper checks in from Peach Jam

Derek Piper joins the show live from Peach Jam in South Carolina to share some thoughts on Morez Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, and other Illinois basketball recruiting targets.

07/07/23: Illini football loses out on one RB but may gain another; Jason Heggemeyer (Illinois Ticket Office) discusses ticket promotions and increased fan support

Lon and Kyle discuss Illinois football losing out on 4-star RB Darrion Dupree but potentially landing another running back. Later, Jason Heggemeyer from the Illinois athletic department joins the show to discuss ticketing.

07/06/23 Hour 2: Grange Grove introducing tailgate reservations; Who are the biggest stars to come through Champaign?

Lon and Kyle discuss some of the new changes that have been made in the athletic department when it comes to tailgating and ticketing. Later, the guys reflect on some of the biggest stars to come to Champaign to play against Illinois.