The Drive on ESPN 93.5

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.

07/02/25: The Derek Piper Farewell Show Hour 2

Our celebration of Pipes continues. We've got more of your calls, texts, Hans D, Magic, and Derek's wife Haley! 

Plus Lon, Kurtis, and Derek say their goodbyes. This is a must listen!

07/02/25: The Derek Piper Farewell Show Hour 1

Today is the day. We're sending our guy off in style with special guests on the phone and in studio. Hour 1 features station owner Stevie Jay, Trevor Vellese, and your texts.

07/01/25 Hour 2 - The Derek Piper Farewell Tour with James Haring

Former Illini Assistant Coach and current LaSalle coach James Haring joins us this hour to help celebrate Pipes.

James shares some awesome stories about Illini recruiting, and being a Groomsman in Pipes' wedding. Which Illini bar hosted the wedding reception? We're having fun on The Drive!

07/01/25 Hour 1 - The Derek Piper Farewell Tour with Kyle Tausk and JC Sutter - Illini Football News

An old friend stops by to help us send Pipes off in style. Kyle Tausk is in-studio and shares some great memories with us about Derek & Lon.

Plus, JC Sutter has decided to play for Ole Miss. What's next for Bret Bielema and staff? We discuss! It's The Drive!

06/30/25 Hour 2 - The Derek Piper Farewell Tour Day 1, Cardinals and Cubs News

Lon shares one of our first tributes to Pipes. Plus, what celebrity cameos should we get Derek in his last week?

And things are TIGHT in the NL Central between the Cardinals & Cubs. It all comes to a head over 4th of July Weekend. It is The Drive!

06/30/25 Hour 1 - The Derek Piper Farewell Tour Day 1, Illini Football Recruitment News

We're sending Pipes out in style this week. 

There will be a new NCAA College Basketball video game. We'll finally find out who would win between The Flyin' Illini and The '05 Squad! Plus, what's the best sports video game of all time?

Will Coach Bielema and the Illini land a new tight end this week? We discuss.

06/27/25 Hour 2 - Illini Hall of Famer Kurt Kittner and a MAJOR announcement about The Drive

Kurt Kittner is going into the Illini Hall of Fame! Check out our conversation with Kurt. We cover his entire career at Illinois, talk about his NFL run, and what made his Big Ten Championship team so special.

Plus, we have a MAJOR announcement about The Drive and we do our Friday Toasts. Grab a beer and toast with us in Hour 2 of The Drive!

06/27/25 Hour 1 - Pipes is back from the NBA Draft and the Illini were well-represented!

Derek Piper was in Brooklyn for the NBA Draft. He has a full of report about on KJ and Will Riley going back to back in the First Round. Plus, what did Brad Underwood think?

And the Cubs and Cardinals split their 4 game series. The taunting continues!

06/25/25 Hour 2 - Derek Piper Live From the NBA Draft in Brooklyn!

Pipes is in Brooklyn covering tonight's NBA Draft. He's got the details on everything happening and expectations for where KJ & Will Riley could be drafted. 

Speaking of which, the Illini Men's Basketball team did an incredible tribute to both players. We'll have that for you as well. It's a big day for the Illini and The Drive!