The Drive on ESPN 93.5

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.

09/15/25 Hour 1: The J Leman Hour; Illini's win over WMU and upcoming Indiana game

The great J Leman is in the studio for the first hour! We're discussing the Illini's dominant win over Western Michigan, and what to watch for against Indiana this weekend.

Plus, J's favorite sports movies. There's a bevy of them!

09/12/25 Hour 2: Patrick Sojka talks Illini Gameday Experience and our Friday Toasts!

Patrick Sojka is the Senior Associate Athletics Director for the Illini and is behind your Gameday Experience. We talk about what fans can expect for this weekend and beyond.

Plus, a chat about the best & worst sports movies and our Friday Toasts!

09/12/25 Hour 1: Illini vs WMU preview, Packers dominate, and Jeff Joniak calls in

The #9th ranked Fighting Illini take on Western Michigan tomorrow night and we're hyped! 

Plus, the Packers look like they're on another level after crushing the Commanders on Thursday Night Football.

And the great Bears play-by-play man Jeff Joniak calls the show!

09/11/25 Hour 2: Etched In Stone moneylines, Cards talk, and good news for the Bears

Etched in Stone is back! Evan has 5 picks for you, plus a bonus bet for our social media followers.

Also, some Cardinals chatter and good news for the Bears before they play Detroit!

09/11/25 Hour 1: Ravi Lulla talks B1G Ten Football, Jared White talks Brad Underwood's New Award!

Our guy Ravi Lulla from Hurrdat Sports calls in to talk B1G Ten Football. Ravi was one of the few analysts that had the Illini blowing out Duke last week. How does he feel things will go Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium? Plus, we take a look at other games in the conference.

Also, Jared White from the Prairieland Counsil BSA is in-studio with details on Brad Underwood being recognized with the "Distinguished Citizen Award." Brad will be honored on Monday night at State Farm Center and you can be a part of it.

09/10/25 Hour 2: Robert Rosenthal In-Studio to Talk Illini Football

IlliniBoard.com publisher Robert Rosenthal joins us in-studio to talk about Illini Football history, his favorite memories, and what he expects for the rest of this season. It's a great conversation with one of the ultimate Illini fans!

09/10/25 Hour 1: More on Gies Memorial Stadium, Illini vs WMU, and Tristan Thomas calls the show

We're a day removed from Larry Gies' $100 million donation. We chat more about fans' reactions. Also, Tristan Thomas from WCIA calls in with a preview of Friday Football Fever.

09/09/25 Hour 1: BREAKING ILLINI NEWS; Gies Memorial Stadium, and also recapping the Bears loss

It's a big news day for Fighting Illini Athletics after the largest monetary donation in school history. Gies Memorial Stadium is now the home for Illini Football. The reactions from fans have been all over the spectrum and the conversation is great.

Plus, is it "same ol Bears" after dropping the Ben Johnson debut on Monday Night Football? We dive in!

09/09/25 Hour 2: More on the newly renamed Gies Memorial Stadium, Illini vs WMU, and Bootleg Merch

The conversation about what the Gies donation means for Illinois athletics continues. The text lines were lit up!

Also, we dive into the recent history of Illinois vs Western Michigan.

And have you ever purchased some bootlegged merch of your favorite team? It turns out Illinois is the #1 state for the fake stuff.