The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

1/4/23 Hour 1: Pipes joins from the road previewing Illinois-Northwestern

Lon and guest co-host Jason Thompson interview Piper from the road to get his thoughts on Illinois-Northwestern.

1/3/23 Hour 2: Lon’s take on the bowl experience & Illinois’ showing; Piper on James Brown to UNC & B1G play starting back up

Lon joins Derek to talk about his experience down in Tampa for the ReliaQuest Bowl and thoughts on Illinois' showing. Later, Derek discusses James Brown committing to North Carolina, as well as recent results in Big Ten basketball.

1/3/23 J Leman Hour: Illini fall to Miss St. in ReliaQuest, big-picture thoughts on ILL football, College Football Playoff

Derek and J discuss Illinois' 19-10 loss to Mississippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The guys look ahead to the offseason and also talk about the College Football Playoff.

12/29/22 Hour 2: Keith Randolph joins the show from Tampa; Illini land QB transfer Luke Altmyer

Lon and Derek are joined by All-Big Ten defensive end Keith Randolph to get an update from Tampa. Later, the guys discuss the breaking news that Ole Miss transfer QB Luke Altmyer has committed to Illinois.

12/29/22 Hour 1: Illini gearing up for ReliaQuest Bowl; Aaron Henry officially announced as DC

Lon and Derek continue to preview the ReliaQuest Bowl and hear from Bret Bielema, who met with the media down in Tampa today. The guys also discuss Aaron Henry being officially announced as the defensive coordinator.

12/28/22 Hour 2: Bothered by bowl game opt-outs?; Underwood & Shannon audio

Lon and Derek discuss Chase Brown opting out of the ReliaQuest Bowl, as well as other Illini football storylines. Later, hear from Brad Underwood and Terrence Shannon Jr. 

12/28/22 Hour 1: Airing of grievances after Braggin’ Rights embarrassment

Lon and Derek give their thoughts on Illinois' 93-71 loss to Mizzou last week and how concerned they are about this team long term.

12/21/22 Hour 2: Matt Harris (Rock M Nation) on Braggin’ Rights & Mizzou; Piper’s prediction for ILL-MIZ

Lon and Derek are joined by Matt Harris of Rock M Nation to get a breakdown on Mizzou basketball and what to expect going into Braggin' Rights. Later, Derek gives his prediction for tomorrow night's game.

12/21/22 Hour 1: Pat Embleton (Illini FB) breaks down Bielema’s Signing Day class

Lon and Derek are joined by Pat Embleton, Executive Director of Personnel & Recruiting for Illini football, to discuss Bret Bielema's Signing Day class.

12/20/22 Hour 2: Illini add Zacharie Perrin mid-season; What’s up with Indiana?

Lon and Derek discuss the news that Zacharie Perrin is joining the Illini mid-season. Later, the guys talk about Indiana basketball's recent struggles.

12/20/22 Hour 1: Bielema receives extension; Illini TE Michael Marchese joins the show

Lon and Derek discuss Bret Bielema's pay raise and extension. Later, the guys are joined by Illini tight end Michael Marchese.

12/19/22 Hour 2: Chemistry still in flux for Illini basketball; What do you make of Mayer’s comments?

Lon and Derek discuss the interesting postgame comments after Illini basketball's win against Alabama A&M on Saturday and what to make of the current vibe around the team.

12/19/22 J LEMAN HOUR: Thoughts on Ryan Walters’ exit, Aaron Henry hired as DC, Reliaquest Bowl preview

J Leman joins the guys to give his thoughts on Ryan Walters leaving for Purdue, Bret Bielema picking Aaron Henry as his new DC and other storylines surrounding the Reliaquest Bowl.

12/16/22 Hour 2: Luke Goode on challenging week of practice, treadmill & leadership; Illini hoops looks to bounce back

Lon and Derek are joined by Illini wing Luke Goode for his weekly segment. Later, hear from Coleman Hawkins and Brad Underwood as Illinois looks to bounce back on Saturday against Alabama A&M.

12/16/22 Hour 1: Brad Evans (Bally Sports) answers fantasy football questions & chats Illini

Lon and Derek are joined by Brad Evans of Bally Sports, who answers listeners' fantasy football playoffs questions and he also talks Illini.

12/15/22 Hour 2: Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune) on Cubs offseason; Maryland gets blown out by UCLA

Lon and Derek are joined by Chicago Cubs beat writer Meghan Montemurro to talk hot stove and Dansby Swanson. The guys also weigh in on Maryland's blowout loss to UCLA last night.

12/15/22 Hour 1: Paul Jones (Bulldawg247) on Mike Leach & ReliaQuest Bowl preview

Lon and Derek are joined by Mississippi State beat writer Paul Jones to talk about Mike Leach and learn about the Bulldogs leading up to the ReliaQuest Bowl.

12/14/22 Hour 2: Joey Wagner (Illini Inquirer) on Walters and bowl game; Will Chase Brown play in Tampa?

Joey Wagner from Illini Inquirer joins the show to discuss the defensive coordinator situation for Illinois and the importance of the Reliaquest Bowl for the program. The guys talk about whether they think Chase Brown will suit up and try to break the rushing record.

12/14/22 Hour 1: Shauna Green (Illinois WBB Head Coach) joins the show!; What’s with these MLB contracts?

Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green joins the show to discuss the program's resurgence and early season success. Lon and Derek talk about the team's 9-2 start and the crazy contracts being handed out in MLB free agency.

12/13/22 Hour 2: Illinois and Tennessee schedule a basketball series; NFL Week 14 recap

Derek and Kyle give more reaction to Ryan Walters leaving for Purdue and discuss the brand new Illinois basketball home-and-home with Tennessee. Later, the guys recap the weekend of NFL action.