The Drive with Lon Tay & Derek Piper

The Drive continues LIVE from Pia's with Illinois men's tennis head coach Brad Dancer. We talk Illini tennis, the program's upcoming fall schedule and what Dancer sees from his team heading into the next stretch of the season. Then it's back to Illinois vs. Purdue as we continue our Homecoming preview. The Illini host the Boilermakers Saturday at 3:15 p.m. CT at Gies Memorial Stadium, with The Cannon on the line and Illinois looking to keep the trophy in Champaign for a third straight season. Plus, more discussion surrounding Illinois Homecoming, the matchup with Purdue and what to watch for when the Illini take the field Saturday. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating/review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, plus the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illinois, Bears, Cubs, Cardinals and sports coverage.

The Drive is LIVE from Pia's! We kick off the show with Illinois baseball head coach Dan Hartleb, who joins us to talk Illini baseball, the 2026 season and the program moving forward. Hartleb has been Illinois' head coach since 2006 and is the winningest coach in program history. Then we turn our attention to Illinois vs. Purdue. The Illini host the Boilermakers Saturday at 3:15 p.m. CT for Homecoming with The Cannon on the line. We break down the matchup, key storylines and what Illinois needs to do to get back in the win column. Plus, it's time for Thursday Night Props as we look for some winning angles heading into the NFL weekend. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating/review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, plus the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illinois, Bears, Cubs, Cardinals and sports coverage.

The Illinois vs. Purdue numbers deep dive continues as we break down more of the key stats heading into Saturday's Homecoming matchup for the Cannon. Illinois enters at 2-2 while Purdue is 1-3, with kickoff set for 3:15 p.m. CT at Gies Memorial Stadium. Then we ask a very important question: How did you cope with your favorite team's most devastating loss? We share stories, commiserate with fellow sports fans and revisit some of the losses that still sting. And finally, things get heated when Evan gets mad at Coop over Creed & Korn. Yes, we're talking music, questionable opinions and another classic Drive argument. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating/review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, plus the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more sports, Illinois, Bears, Cubs and Cardinals coverage.

The Cubs were crushed 8-0 by the Padres in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. We break down what went wrong in San Diego and preview Game 2, with Kevin Gausman taking the mound against Nick Pivetta. Then it's Illinois vs. Purdue by the Numbers ahead of Saturday's Homecoming matchup for The Cannon. We dig into the key statistics, including Katin Houser's impressive season, Collin Dixon's production and Illinois' defensive and special-teams numbers. Plus, we run through the latest Illini Headlines from around Illinois athletics. Listen, subscribe, and leave The Drive a 5-star rating/review! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illinois, Bears, Cubs, Cardinals and sports coverage.

Mike Cagley of Illini Guys joins The Drive to break down the fallout from Bobby Hauck's departure as Illinois defensive coordinator and what the coaching change could mean for the Illini heading into Saturday's Homecoming matchup with Purdue. Illinois enters the game at 2-2, while Purdue is 1-3, with The Cannon on the line. With the 2026 MLB Playoffs getting underway, The Drive makes its postseason predictions and discusses the biggest storylines heading into the Wild Card round, including the Cubs-Padres matchup. Then it's time for the Tuesday Draft: Worst Career to Be Unqualified For! The guys draft the jobs they'd least want to attempt without the skills or qualifications needed to succeed. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating/review wherever you listen! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Bears, NFL and Central Illinois sports coverage.

The Bears stunned the Eagles 27-7 on Monday Night Football as Case Keenum stepped in and delivered a huge performance, throwing for 247 yards and two touchdowns while the Chicago defense forced three turnovers. Then, Doug Bucshon of Orange & Blue News joins The Drive to break down the fallout from Bobby Hauck's departure as Illinois defensive coordinator, what went wrong for the Illini defense, and how Bret Bielema and Illinois move forward. Doug also previews Illinois vs. Purdue as the Illini return home for Homecoming. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating/review wherever you listen! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, and follow the ESPN 93.5 Facebook page for more Illini, Bears, NFL and Central Illinois sports coverage.

Chris Kwiecinski from FOX 32 Chicago joins The Drive to preview Bears vs Eagles on Monday Night Football, including the biggest storylines heading into the matchup. Plus, we answer your texts and take your questions about Bobby Hauck's departure as Illinois defensive coordinator and what it means for the Illini moving forward. Subscribe to The Drive and leave us a 5-star rating/review wherever you listen! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram and TikTok, and follow ESPN 93.5 on Facebook for more Illinois, Bears and sports coverage.

Bobby Hauck is out as Illinois defensive coordinator after just four games. J Leman joins The Drive to break down the surprising change, what went wrong with the Illini defense, and where Bret Bielema and Illinois go from here. Plus, J digs into the biggest storylines surrounding Illinois football following the loss to Ohio State and looks ahead to what comes next. Illinois announced Sunday that Hauck and the program mutually agreed to part ways after the defense struggled through the first four games of the 2026 season.

Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins The Drive to break down how Illinois can slow down Ohio State's dangerous pass rush and what the Illini need to do to protect the quarterback. Plus, Brian previews the Chicago Bears' Monday Night Football matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Then it's time for Etched in Stone and the always-popular Friday Toasts to wrap up the week on The Drive. Enjoying The Drive? Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! It helps more Illinois sports fans find the show. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Doug Bucshon of Orange and Blue News joins The Drive to break down the X's and O's of Illinois' upcoming matchup with No. 7 Ohio State in Columbus. What does Illinois need to do to slow down the Buckeyes, and where could the Illini find opportunities offensively? Plus, Kurtis and Evan get into a heated discussion about NIL money, donations and the financial landscape of college athletics. And the guys react to the Atlanta Falcons' dominant 35-14 Thursday Night Football win over the Green Bay Packers.

Can the Illinois offense keep pace with No. 7 Ohio State when the Illini open Big Ten play in Columbus? Katin Houser and the Illini offense have been productive through three games, but Saturday presents a major challenge against the Buckeyes. Plus, where could Marvin Harrison Jr. revive his career? The Drive breaks down potential landing spots and what could be next for the former Ohio State star. And don't miss your chance to win tickets to Illinois vs. Purdue at Homecoming! Listen to Hour 2 of The Drive for Illinois vs. Ohio State, Marvin Harrison Jr., NFL talk, and your chance to win Illini football tickets. Enjoying The Drive? Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! It helps more Illinois sports fans find the show.

The legendary Jim Cornelison joins The Drive to talk Chicago sports, his iconic national anthem performances, and what it means to be part of some of the biggest moments in Chicago sports history. Plus, it's a huge day for Chicago baseball! The Cubs and White Sox both clinched playoff berths, marking the first time both teams secured postseason spots on the same day. The Cubs defeated the Marlins 2-1 behind another big day from Pete Crow-Armstrong, while the White Sox crushed the Royals 9-1 to secure their first playoff appearance since 2021. Meanwhile, the Cardinals fell to the Pirates and will officially end the season under .500. Listen to Hour 1 of The Drive for Jim Cornelison, Chicago sports, Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals and more! Enjoying The Drive? Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! It helps more Illinois sports fans find the show.

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins The Drive to recap a big weekend of 5-star basketball recruits visiting Illinois and share the latest Illini basketball recruiting nuggets. Plus, Jaxson Dart is out for the season, and the Cubs look to secure a Wild Card spot as the regular season winds down. Enjoying The Drive? Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review! It helps more Illinois sports fans find the show. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

Carson Gourdie joins The Drive to break down the keys to Illinois vs. Ohio State, including what the Illini will need to do to compete with the Buckeyes. Plus, a preview of Week 6 of high school football, Orange Krush tickets sell out quickly, and some Illinois students voice their frustration over the ticket situation. If you enjoy The Drive, make sure you're subscribed and leave us a 5-star review! It's a quick way to support the show and help other Illinois sports fans discover us.   Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

It's time for the Tuesday Draft on The Drive! The guys draft the best things about fall, from football and baseball to cooler weather, food, traditions and everything that makes the season special. Plus, the Chicago Cubs are closing in on a Wild Card spot as the MLB regular season enters its final week. The Cubs entered Tuesday at 87-69 and one game ahead in the NL Wild Card race. And the guys preview Cardinals vs. Pirates as St. Louis opens a three-game series in Pittsburgh. The Cardinals entered the matchup 76-80, while the Pirates were 79-77, with Andre Pallante and Jared Jones scheduled to start.

The Drive gets an early look at Illinois vs. Ohio State ahead of Saturday's Big Ten opener in Columbus. What are Katin Houser's passing preferences, and how could his tendencies impact the Illini's chances against the Buckeyes? Plus, the guys break down the latest at quarterback for the Chicago Bears and discuss whether veteran Case Keenum could be called upon with Caleb Williams dealing with a hamstring injury & Tyson Bagent going into the Concussion Protocol. Illinois enters Big Ten play 2-1 after Katin Houser threw for a season-high 305 yards against Southern Illinois. Houser has completed 74.1% of his passes with eight touchdowns through three games. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Sunny Verma from Locked On Illini joins The Drive to break down Illinois' 48-10 win over Southern Illinois and preview the Illini's upcoming Big Ten opener against Ohio State. What did Illinois show against SIU, and what will it take to compete with the Buckeyes? The guys also recap the Bears' 9-3 loss to the Vikings, discuss the latest on Caleb Williams' hamstring injury, and what his status could mean for Chicago moving forward. Plus, Evan Stone reveals his NFL Top 5 and Bottom 5 following Week 2 of the NFL season. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

The J Leman Hour is back! Former Illinois All-American linebacker J Leman breaks down the Illini's 48-10 win over Southern Illinois, including Katin Houser's passing performance, Collin Dixon's record-setting day, Aidan Laughery's 77-yard touchdown run, and a defense that shut out the Salukis in the second half. Then, J looks ahead to Illinois' first Big Ten road game of the season against No. 7 Ohio State in Columbus. The Illini and Buckeyes meet Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. CT on FOX. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with predictions and plenty of Friday fun! Etched In Stone returns with the latest picks, the crew makes their Illinois vs. Southern Illinois score predictions, and we wrap up the week with another round of Friday Toasts. Who is feeling confident about the Illini against the Salukis? Who gets a toast—and who gets called out? Find out in Hour 2 of The Drive! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Brad Sturdy from Illini Guys joins The Drive to preview Illinois vs. Southern Illinois and break down the newly released 2026-27 Illini men's basketball schedule. The Illini enter Saturday's matchup with SIU looking to bounce back from the close loss to Duke, while the basketball schedule features several major Big Ten tests. Plus, Tristan Thomas joins the show to preview Friday night's high school football action across Central Illinois, including the games, players and storylines to watch. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

The Drive dives into the Bears vs. Vikings Week 2 matchup as Chicago returns to Soldier Field following its 59-37 season-opening win over Carolina. The NFC North rivals are both 1-0, setting up an intriguing early-season divisional battle. Plus, Illinois football adds another piece to its future quarterback room as 2028 QB Owen Herrick commits to the Illini. The three-star Pittsburgh Central Catholic quarterback is ranked among the nation's top 30 quarterbacks in his class. And we've got your chance to WIN tickets to Illinois vs. Southern Illinois! Tune in for all the details and get ready for another big weekend of Illini football. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer joins The Drive to break down Illinois basketball's newly released 2026-27 Big Ten schedule, including the biggest matchups, road challenges and what stands out from the Illini's conference slate. Illinois will play 20 Big Ten games, with home-and-home series against Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin. Plus, we debate a big question ahead of Saturday's Illinois-Southern Illinois football game: Will you stay for the entire game? And with Thursday Night Football on tap, we get into our favorite player props and storylines for Bills vs. Lions. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

The Drive Full Show – September 16, 2026: Southern Illinois Salukis SID Todd Hefferman joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to preview SIU vs. Illinois and provide the Saluki perspective heading into Saturday's matchup. Plus, the guys react LIVE to the release of the 2026-27 Big Ten men's basketball schedule and break down the biggest matchups on Illinois' slate. Then, it's time for Big Ten QB Power Rankings as the guys debate the conference's top quarterbacks after the opening weeks of the college football season. All that and more on The Drive! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

The Drive continues its Illinois vs. Southern Illinois preview, focusing on how the Illini can get their running game going. We discuss Kaden Feagin's role at Tight End, and the rest of Illinois' running backs, how they could be utilized against the Salukis, and what the offense needs to do to bounce back. Then it's time for Tuesday Draft! The guys draft their favorite Big Ten stadiums, debating which venues provide the best atmosphere, traditions, and overall college football experience. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

The Drive kicks off Hour 1 by looking ahead to Illinois' matchup with Southern Illinois and asking the big question: How do the Illini bounce back after the loss to Duke? We break down what needs to change and what Illinois needs to show against the Salukis. Plus, we discuss the TEAM USA Act and what it could mean for Illinois Athletics and the future of college sports, before turning our attention to Major League Baseball with Cubs and Cardinals game previews. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Hour 2 of The Drive features Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports! Brian joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to break down the Bears' historic game against the Carolina Panthers and discuss what the performance means for Chicago moving forward. The guys also turn their attention back to Champaign, taking a closer look at Illinois' disappointing loss to Duke. What went wrong for the Illini? What are the biggest concerns coming out of the loss? And how can Illinois get back on track? Plus, plenty of Bears and Illini talk, reaction, analysis, and more on The Drive! Topics Include: Bears vs. Panthers: Breaking down a historic game What the Bears' performance means moving forward Biggest takeaways from Chicago Illinois' loss to Duke Concerns surrounding the Illini What Illinois needs to fix Looking ahead for both the Bears and Illini Brian Teague's latest Bears and Illini analysis Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

It's the J Leman Hour on The Drive! The Illinois All-American joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to break down the Illini's disappointing 31-27 loss to Duke. Leman dives into the defensive struggles, tackling issues, second-half offensive struggles, and the biggest lessons Illinois needs to take from the loss. Then, J Leman looks ahead to Saturday's matchup with Southern Illinois and explains what the Illini need to clean up before returning to action at Memorial Stadium. What should Illinois fans be watching for against the Salukis? What needs to improve before Big Ten play? And can the Illini bounce back in a big way? Plus, plenty of analysis from one of the most knowledgeable voices in Illinois football! Topics Include: Breaking down Illinois' 31-27 loss to Duke The Illini's defensive and tackling problems What went wrong in the second half Biggest takeaways from the Duke loss Previewing Illinois vs. Southern Illinois What Illinois needs to improve before Big Ten play J Leman's keys to an Illini bounce-back Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

It's the J Leman Hour on The Drive! Illinois football legend and All-American linebacker J Leman joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to break down the highly anticipated matchup between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Duke Blue Devils. J Leman provides an in-depth preview of the game, discusses the biggest storylines heading into Saturday, and reveals his keys to victory for Illinois. What must the Illini do on offense and defense to come away with a win? Which matchups could decide the game? Plus, Leman shares his perspective on Illinois football, the challenges of playing a team like Duke, and what fans should be watching for when the Illini take the field. Topics include:

It's a packed second hour of The Drive! Jacob Infante joins Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone to preview the Chicago Bears' season opener against the Carolina Panthers, including the biggest matchups, keys to victory, and expectations for Caleb Williams and the Bears in 2026. Plus, the Bears have locked up running back D'Andre Swift with a new three-year, $33.75 million extension that includes $27.5 million guaranteed. The GA Scumbags join the show to break down Illinois vs. Duke, followed by Etched in Stone and the always-popular Friday Toasts!

Illinois football legend Terrell Washington joins The Drive to look back at his time with the Illini, discuss Hall of Fame Weekend, and break down Saturday's highly anticipated matchup between Illinois and Duke. Plus, Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone deliver a full Illinois vs. Duke preview, including Katin Houser's impressive debut, the Illini offense, concerns about the defense after allowing 194 rushing yards to UAB, key matchups, players to watch, and what Illinois must do to start the season 2-0. Illinois enters the game 1-0 after a 42-23 win over UAB, while Duke is also 1-0 following a 17-3 victory over Tulane. The Illini defeated Duke 45-19 last season in Durham. Topics include:

The Drive continues LIVE from Pia's with another pair of outstanding guests from the Illinois and Chicago sports scene. Illinois Basketball legend James Augustine joins the show to look back on his Illini career, share stories from his time in Champaign, and talk about Illinois basketball. Plus, Tim Sinclair, the longtime public address announcer for the Illinois Fighting Illini, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls and more, joins the conversation. Tim shares stories from behind the microphone and gives listeners a unique perspective on some of the biggest sporting events and venues in Illinois. It's another packed hour LIVE from Pia's featuring Illini basketball, Chicago sports, and plenty of great stories from two familiar voices in the Illinois sports community.

The Drive is LIVE from Pia's as the show welcomes two Illinois sports legends! Five-time Olympic gold medalist Bonnie Blair joins the show to talk about her legendary speed skating career, Illinois connections, and life as one of the most decorated American Olympians ever. Plus, Illinois Football legend Brandon Lloyd stops by to discuss his Illini career, his time in the NFL, and the current state of Illinois football. It's a packed Hour 1 LIVE from Pia's featuring championship stories, Illini football, and plenty of great conversation with two Central Illinois sports icons.

The Drive welcomes on two very special guests, Josh & Jase, who are famous influencers from England and are currently touring the United States and visiting every college town in the Big Ten. They talk about what they've seen so far in Champaign, discuss soccer with Evan, and promote the Big Ten's current blood drive initiative.   Then, Evan and Cooper close out the show by talking about Illinois Football's upcoming showdown with Duke and get into an early preview of the Chicago Bears and NFL season.

The Drive continues its Illinois football postgame coverage with Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports, who dives into the X's and O's of Illinois' 42-23 victory over UAB. What worked for the Illini, what needs to improve, and what can we learn from the season opener? Then it's time for Etched In Stone Picks, as the guys make their selections for some of the biggest games of College Football Week 1, including several marquee matchups across the country. The Week 1 slate features games such as Boise State at Oregon, Clemson at LSU, Northern Illinois at Iowa, and Marshall at Penn State. And, as always, we wrap up the week with Friday Toasts — raising a glass to the people, teams, moments and happenings that deserve some recognition. Topics include: Brian Teague's X's and O's breakdown of Illinois vs. UAB What Illinois did well offensively Defensive concerns and areas for improvement Katin Houser and the Illini passing game Illinois' explosive-play ability What the UAB game tells us about the Illini moving forward Etched In Stone Picks for College Football Week 1 Biggest games and potential upsets to watch Friday Toasts

Illinois is 1-0 after defeating UAB 42-23 in the season opener, but was the performance as impressive as the final score suggests? The Drive breaks down the Illini's mixed-reaction victory, including Katin Houser's debut, Ca'Lil Valentine's big-play ability, Collin Dixon's two-touchdown performance, and a defense that struggled to slow down UAB's rushing attack. Plus, WCIA 3 sports reporter Tristan Thomas joins the show to discuss his biggest takeaways from Illinois' season opener and preview this week's Central Illinois high school football action. Topics include: Illinois' 42-23 win over UAB Katin Houser's first start as an Illini Ca'Lil Valentine and the explosive Illinois offense Concerns about the run defense The impact of the Hail Mary touchdown before halftime Ismael Kante's pick-six Tristan Thomas' reaction to the Illini's performance This week's biggest local high school football games and storylines

The Drive goes LIVE from Pia's Sports Bar for a special show with three Illinois football legends — J Leman, Kevin Mitchell, and former Sports Information Director Kent Brown! The Illini greats share their memories of playing in Champaign, discuss what makes Illinois football special, and offer their thoughts on the current Illini program. Hear stories from the past, insight into Illinois football, plenty of Illini pride, and a great conversation with three individuals who helped leave their mark on the program.

The Drive continues the countdown to Illinois football's season opener against UAB with Alex Kyi from Armchair Illini joining the show! Kyi breaks down the matchup from an Illini perspective, including the biggest questions surrounding Illinois entering the 2026 season, Katin Houser's debut at quarterback, the new-look defense under Bobby Hauck, key players to watch, and what could determine the outcome against the Blazers. Armchair Illini's gameday coverage also highlights the excitement surrounding the season opener and Illinois looking to build on 19 wins over the previous two seasons. Plus, Kurtis and Evan make their Illinois vs. UAB score predictions, discuss expectations for the Illini in 2026, and look at whether Illinois can live up to its status as a heavy favorite in the opener.

The Drive gets you ready for Illinois football's season opener against UAB! Former Illini linebacker and Rose Bowl standout Brit Miller joins the show after being named Illinois' honorary captain for Thursday night's game at Gies Memorial Stadium. Miller reflects on his Illinois career, the honor of returning to Champaign, and what it means to represent the program. Plus, The Drive delivers a complete Illinois vs. UAB preview, breaking down the biggest storylines heading into the 2026 season opener, including new quarterback Katin Houser, the Illini defense under new coordinator Bobby Hauck, key players to watch, UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, and what Illinois must do to start the season with a win. Illinois and UAB meet for the first time Thursday night at 8 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

The Illinois vs. UAB season opener gets an inside look from the other side as UAB play-by-play broadcaster David Crane joins The Drive to preview the Blazers, their strengths and weaknesses, and what Illinois fans should expect Thursday night at Gies Memorial Stadium. The Illini and Blazers kick off Thursday at 8 p.m. CT. Then it's time for the Tuesday Draft, and this week's topic is one every football fan can debate: the best foods at Gies Memorial Stadium! Illinois has expanded its concessions lineup for 2026, adding options including Burrito King, Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike's, Crumbl Cookies and Dippin' Dots, while bringing back favorites such as Smith Burger, Big Grove Tavern and Papa John's. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

Illinois football is officially in game week, and Dave Wischnowsky joins The Drive to preview Thursday night's season opener against UAB. The Illini begin the 2026 season Thursday at 8 p.m. CT at Gies Memorial Stadium, with new quarterback Katin Houser and defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's revamped defense among the biggest storylines. Plus, it's time for another edition of the Random Illini Players of the Day, highlighting some memorable names from Illinois football history. And the Chicago Cubs absolutely exploded against the Milwaukee Brewers, winning 17-3 while setting a franchise record with nine home runs. Alex Bregman led the way with three homers as the Cubs opened September with one of their most dominant offensive performances of the season. Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

Hour 2 of The Drive covers plenty of Illini, MLB and NFL news, starting with the Random Illini Player of the Day. The guys discuss former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer's NFL future after the Detroit Lions waived him as part of their roster cuts. Altmyer lost the backup quarterback battle to veteran Josh Dobbs, but his next opportunity could come quickly. After clearing waivers, Altmyer is eligible to sign with Detroit's practice squad or another team. Then it's a look at the Cubs and Cardinals after a frustrating weekend, including what's gone wrong for both teams and whether either club can turn things around as the MLB regular season enters its final stretch. The hour wraps up with a Chicago Bears roster breakdown following NFL cutdown day. The Bears have finalized their initial 53-man roster, setting the stage for a new season with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson leading the way. The guys examine the roster, position groups, surprises from cutdown day, and the biggest questions facing the Bears heading into the regular season. Plus: Who gets today's Random Illini Player of the Day?

The All-American is back! J Leman returns to The Drive to break down the 2026 Illinois Fighting Illini football team ahead of Thursday night's season opener against UAB. Leman takes an in-depth look at the Illini offense and defense, including the biggest strengths, concerns, position battles, and players he's watching closely as Illinois enters a season with plenty of new faces and new pieces. On offense, the conversation includes Katin Houser taking over at quarterback, the revamped offensive line, the running game, and the challenges facing an Illinois receiving corps dealing with injuries. On defense, Leman breaks down Bobby Hauck's new 3-3-5 scheme, the rebuilt defensive front, linebacker play, and what the Illini need to do to get off to a strong start. Plus, J gives his thoughts on Thursday's matchup with UAB, what Illinois needs to accomplish in Game 1, and what would make for a successful opening night. It's the return of J Leman — and the 2026 Illini football season is finally here! Follow The Drive on X, Instagram, and Facebook!

Hour 2 of The Drive kicks off the college football season with plenty to discuss. Etched In Stone returns for Week 0, as we get back into the weekly tradition of making our bold college football picks and predictions. The 2026 FBS Week 0 slate features eight games on Saturday, August 29. We break down the new rules coming to college football, including changes to the targeting penalty and the adoption of the NFL-style fair-catch kick. It's time for a Cardinals vs. Pirates preview as St. Louis begins a crucial weekend series against Pittsburgh. The Cardinals enter the series at 67-68, just two games ahead of the Pirates, with Quinn Mathews scheduled to face Jared Jones on Friday night. And, of course, we wrap up the week with Friday Toasts! Listen to Hour 2 of The Drive for college football, Cardinals baseball and the usual Friday fun!

Hour 1 of The Drive gets you ready for another big football weekend in Central Illinois. Carson Gourdie joins the show to break down Bret Bielema's latest press conference ahead of Illinois' season opener against UAB and discuss what we're learning about the 2026 Fighting Illini. Carson also previews Week 2 of the high school football season, including the biggest storylines and matchups to watch around Central Illinois. Illini wrestling great Zac Braunagel calls in to talk about RAF Wrestling's trip to Moscow, his co-main event on the card, and more. Plus, it's time for another Random Illini Player of the Day, featuring another memorable name from Illinois football history. Listen to the full first hour of The Drive for Illini football, Central Illinois high school football, wrestling and plenty more.

Hour 2 of The Drive dives into a packed day of Chicago and St. Louis sports. The Cardinals and Cubs are both struggling at the worst possible time, leading to a discussion about whether either team can turn things around and make a late-season push. The show then shifts to the Chicago Bears, including the latest injury updates heading into the regular season. Plus, the Bears have unveiled their new 2026 Rivalries uniforms, which they will wear on Christmas Day against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. The uniforms draw inspiration from several eras of Bears history, including the Monsters of the Midway look. Finally, it's time to crown the winner of Tuesday's Draft: Biggest Sports Scandals. The guys revisit the entries and determine which scandal takes the top spot.

The Drive kicks off Hour 1 with WCIA Sports Director Glenn Kinley joining the show to discuss the latest developments surrounding Illinois football, including the Illini's major partnership with Caterpillar and what the relationship could mean for the program, the university, and the Champaign-Urbana community. With Illinois football entering a highly anticipated 2026 season, the conversation also looks at the growing connection between Illinois Athletics and major corporate partners. Caterpillar already has a significant relationship with the University of Illinois, including connections through research, engineering and student opportunities. Glenn also provides his perspective on the current state of Illini football as the season opener against UAB approaches September 3 at Gies Memorial Stadium. Illinois enters the season with season tickets sold out for a second consecutive year and expectations for another huge home crowd. Plus, it wouldn't be an episode of The Drive without Random Illini Players of the Day, highlighting another memorable name from Illinois sports history.

The Drive's second hour features an emotional conversation with Illini wrestling great Danny Pucino, who is raising money for pancreatic cancer research while honoring his late father. Pucino's father, Scott, was himself a Division I All-American wrestler, and Danny has used his own wrestling platform to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research through Pin Cancer. The guys also break down the latest injury news surrounding Illinois wide receiver Jayshon Platt. Head coach Bret Bielema said Platt's injury initially had an unknown timeline, but the team has received encouraging news. Bielema couldn't rule out a Week 1 absence, saying Platt could potentially return anywhere from Week 1 to Week 3 or Week 4. Plus, it's Tuesday Draft time! The guys put together their lists of the Biggest Sports Scandals of All Time, leading to plenty of debate over which controversies deserve a spot at the top.

The Drive dives into a major new Big Ten eligibility rule as the conference unanimously approved a ban preventing football players who have signed professional contracts, appeared on an NFL roster, or declared for the NFL Draft without withdrawing from returning to compete at a Big Ten school. The decision comes amid the ongoing eligibility chaos surrounding players attempting to return to college football after brief NFL stints. Illini great Fred Wakefield joins the show to look back on his Illinois career and his unique eight-year NFL journey. Wakefield played for the Cardinals from 2001-06 before joining the Raiders in 2008, and his career included playing on both sides of the football. Plus, what happened when Fred and Evan Stone played basketball against each other? Plus, it's time for another round of Random Illini Players of the Day, highlighting some of the lesser-known and forgotten names from Illinois football history. Follow The Drive on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

The St. Louis Cardinals suffered one of the most painful losses of the season Sunday, blowing a 4-0 lead in the ninth inning before Kyle Schwarber's two-run walk-off homer gave Philadelphia a 6-4 victory. The loss capped a disappointing 5-6 road trip and dropped the Cardinals to 66-66. So, is the NL Wild Card still realistically in play? Absolutely—but the margin for error is getting smaller. The Cardinals entered the weekend only 3½ games behind the final Wild Card spot, but they're now sitting at .500 while teams such as Arizona, San Diego and Philadelphia remain ahead of them in the race. Arizona's win over Cincinnati kept the Diamondbacks firmly in the mix at 69-62. The bigger concern may be whether St. Louis can survive its pitching situation. Andre Pallante is on the injured list with elbow inflammation, while Hunter Dobbins is also dealing with a forearm issue. The Cardinals will need their pitching depth—and their offense—to hold up over the final weeks. Then it's time for our 2026 NFL Divisional Winners Predictions. We go division by division and make our picks—not necessarily just taking the betting favorite. The current market has Buffalo favored in the AFC East, Baltimore in the AFC North, Houston in the AFC South and Kansas City among the AFC West favorites, while Philadelphia is favored in the NFC East and the NFC West remains particularly interesting after the Rams' offseason addition of Myles Garrett. The fun debate: Which division winner are we most confident in, and which favorite is most likely to get knocked off? The 2026 NFL futures market shows just how tight some of these races could be.

Illinois football is only 10 days away from opening the 2026 season against UAB, and there are some major changes coming to the gameday experience at Gies Memorial Stadium. Illinois Athletics is implementing a new lot-specific traffic-routing system beginning approximately 3½ hours before kickoff. Fans will have designated routes based on their parking lots, with the goal of reducing congestion and getting fans into the stadium more efficiently. We also take a look at the new additions inside Gies Memorial Stadium, including the massive new video board, upgraded audio system, stadium-wide Wi-Fi, new LED lighting, enhanced concessions and new in-game hosts. The 17,000-plus-square-foot video board will be unveiled when Illinois hosts UAB on September 3. The Illini soccer team remains unbeaten after playing UIC to a 0-0 draw Sunday night at Demirjian Park. Illinois is now 1-0-2 on the season after also drawing No. 19 Georgia and defeating Cincinnati. The defense has been excellent, but the question becomes whether the Illini can generate enough offense as the schedule gets tougher. Then it's time to ask the question Bears fans are probably debating after Saturday night's 27-9 loss to Cincinnati: should anyone actually be panicking? The Bears' first-team offense struggled, Caleb Williams went just 2-for-5, the team committed 11 penalties for 81 yards, and Chicago failed to score a touchdown. That's certainly not what fans wanted to see—but it's still the preseason, and there are legitimate reasons to pump the brakes before declaring the season doomed. Finally, we unveil another Random Illini Football Player of the Day, digging into an Illini name that deserves a little more attention as the countdown to the 2026 season continues.

Carson Gourdie from ABC20 joins The Drive to preview opening night of high school football across Central Illinois, including the teams, storylines, players and matchups worth watching as the 2026 season gets underway. Carson also breaks down the latest bombshell in the NCAA's eligibility battle. The U.S. Tenth Circuit granted the NCAA's request to stay the nationwide injunction in Wisne v. NCAA, putting the potential fifth season for qualifying Class of 2022 athletes on hold while the appeal continues. The ruling is particularly complicated for college football players because the decision comes just days before the season begins. While the nationwide protection has been stayed, athletes who obtained separate state-court restraining orders may still have eligibility protection. That creates a confusing patchwork where some players can potentially play while similarly situated players cannot.