Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk react to Illinois basketball's 105-96 exhibition win at Cincinnati. The guys discuss big offensive games from Andrej Stojakovic and Stefan Vaaks, standout performances from freshman guards Quentin Coleman and Ethan Brown and the level of concern about the Illini's defense. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Did you miss him? Illini Inquirer alum Derek Piper rejoins the podcast as a special guest. He and Kyle Tausk discuss the preseason hype of Brad Underwood's team, and if Illinois can really live up to the big expectations. They also take a stroll down memory lane and look at what could be in store for some of these Illini at the next level. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

There's a lot to discuss with J Leman after Saturday's thrilling 38-37 overtime win at Michigan State. Katin Houser will be out for the foreseeable future. How serious is his hand injury? What does this mean for the rise of Michael Clayton? Also, how doomed is this defense? Leman and Werner discuss what can be done going into the bye week, and how this program can compete past this season. 0:00 - Intro 3:45 - How bad is Houser’s injury? 7:34 - Michael Clayton II 11:47 - Future of the offense 16:38 - Defensive struggles 22:55 - Where do the wins come? 25:47 - What needs to be done to compete moving forward? Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's Week 6 game at Michigan State, breaking down the hits and misses from the game for the Illini and previewing the off week and the back half of the schedule. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois football's game at Michigan State. The guys discuss Pat Fitzgerald taking over a struggling Spartans program, if the defense showed any signs of life with Roger Cooper calling plays, if the offense bounces back after a poor game at Purdue, the latest with the injury report and more. The guys wrap up the show by making their picks to click and bold predictions. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

With college basketball right around the corner, Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk sit down with Illini men's head coach Brad Underwood at Big Ten Basketball Media Days to discuss his decade-long tenure and preview the upcoming season. They also talk to star players David Mirković and Andrej Stojaković, who come in as Preseason All-Big Ten, about the Final Four run, their next steps and the new pieces around them. 0:00 - Intro 1:55 - Brad Underwood 12:55 - David Mirković 27:31 - Andrej Stojaković Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

With college basketball right around the corner, Jeremy Werner sits down with Illini women's head coach Shauna Green at Big Ten Basketball Media Days to preview her upcoming season. He also talks to two of her players, Berry Wallace and Jasmine Brown-Hagger. He finishes the podcast by talking to Sara Burton about the current state of women's sports at Illinois. 0:00 - Intro 0:59 - Head coach Shauna Green 14:21 - Berry Wallace and Jasmine Brown-Hagger 26:38 - Illinois Chief Sports Officer Sara Burton Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk discuss what they learned from their conversations with Illinois men's basketball players and coaches at Friday's on-campus media day. The guys discuss the returners, transfer Stefan Vaaks, which freshmen can make an impact, how this team is wired and plays different and more. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: * Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP * Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 * Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to react to Illinois football's 24-17 loss to Purdue. Leman breaks down a poor offensive performance, Katin Houser's worst game and red zone issues and then chats about the defense's continued inability to create negative plays. Leman chats about what Bret Bielema must change for Illinois to show improvement this season and to make strides long-term. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's disappointing 24-17 loss to Purdue. The guys discuss whether this was the worst loss of the Bret Bielema era, if Bret Bielema can overcome a disaster of an offseason, Roger Cooper's impact as a play caller and Katin Houser's off day. The guys then discuss what's ahead for the season and this program. 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Biggest takeaways from the loss 3:33 - Bielema's disastrous offseason 7:43 - Worst loss of Bielema era? 9:13 - Who can Illinois beat on its remaining schedule? 11:15 - Collin Dixon on "embarrassing" loss 12:07 - Hits 15:15 - Misses 21:42 - Katin Houser's bad day 26:14 - Redzone issues 30:46 - Which offensive linemen should play? 31:53 - Should you give up on the program? 33:06 - Need to prioritize NIL 36:45 - Effort problem? 39:15 - Need a real DC Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Jeremy Werner previews Illinois vs. Purdue with Gold & Black's Tom Dienhart and Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner. Dienhart breaks down the state of the Purdue program, which is on a 19-game Big Ten losing streak, and he breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of the 2026 team and what the game at Illinois means for Purdue. Wagner then joins Werner to welcome Noah Cowell to the Illini Inquirer team and then answer a six-pack of questions about the Illini defense after Bobby Hauck, the latest on the injury report and the matchup against the Boilermakers. The guys wrap up by giving their picks to click and bold predictions for the game. 0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Previewing Purdue Football with Tom Dienhart 24:30 - Noah Cowell welcomed to Illini Inquirer team 29:50 - State of Illini defense after Bobby Hauck 40:38 - Who needs to step up most on defense? 45:17 - Status of injured offensive lineman 49:20 - Injury Report notables 52:57 - Biggest concern against Purdue? 55:45 - Reasons for optimism outside of Katin Houser? 59:00 - Picks to Click 1:03:36 - Bold Predictions Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

All-American linebacker and Illini Inquirer football analyst J Leman joins Jeremy Werner to react to defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck's departure after just four games. They discuss what Bielema said of why it happened, what went so wrong and what must happen next for the defense to succeed this season. The guys then look ahead to Saturday's must-win game against Purdue and the keys to victory. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to the news that Illinois and defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck have "mutually agreed" to part ways. The guys discuss why they think Bielema showed this urgency and what this means for the program and this season. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner react to Illinois football's game at No. 7 Ohio State. The guys discuss another defensive letdown and Jeremiah Smith's dominance and how Bret Bielema and Bobby Hauck address that side of the ball moving forward. Then the guys discuss positives on offense, including QB Katin Houser, the running game and a thin offensive line. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner preview Illinois football's Big Ten opener at No. 7 Ohio State. The guys break down the latest injury report and what it means for Illinois and how the Illini can compete with the Buckeyes' far more expensive and talented roster. The guys close out by making their picks to click and bold predictions for the game. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Illini Inquirer's Kyle Tausk and Jeremy Werner discuss a five-star-heavy fall of recruiting for Illinois basketball. The guys discuss the latest buzz following official visits for Darius Wabbington, Bentley Lusakueno and Moussa Kamissoko and an unofficial visit for Dylan Betts. The guys then discuss upcoming official visits for five-star prospects Brady Pettigrew and Benjamin Berrouet. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz (0:00) - Intro (3:30) - Early impressions from big recruiting weekend (14:50) - Moussa Kamissoko (17:45) - Bentley Lusakueno (20:16) - Dylan Betts (25:00) - Benjamin Berrouet (31:30) - Darius Wabbington (36:50) - Brady Pettigrew (43:22) - Biggest storylines of the start of fall practice

Illini Sports Network analyst Carey Davis joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to evaluate the Illini through three games, including QB Katin Houser, WR Collin Dixon, the running backs and tight ends and the defense. Then Werner catches up with 247Sports Ohio State expert Dave Biddle of Bucknuts.com to preview the Illini's trip to No. 7 Ohio State. Biddle breaks down expectations in Columbus, the loss to Texas, WR Jeremiah Smith, QB Julian Sayin, the run game, a new-look defense and what Saturday's game against Illinois means for Ohio State. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz (0:00) - Intro (2:48) - Carey Davis on moving to booth (5:20) - Thoughts on QB Katin Houser (7:45) - What's behind WR Collin Dixon's success (8:43) - Evaluating the Illini run game (11:29) - Thoughts on RB Javari Barnett (13:09) - Evaluating the tight ends (15:20) - Evaluating the Illini defense (17:56) - Will Holmes impressing (18:58) - Previewing Ohio State challenge (20:20) - Davis on Illini recruiting (23:10) - Dave Biddle joins to talk Illibuck (24:30) - Expectations at Ohio State (26:00) - Jeremiah Smith's standing in OSU history (30:15) - Conversation around QB Julian Sayin (32:23) - Ohio State's run game (37:37) - What Illinois game means for OSU (40:54) - Wrapping up the pod (34:38) - Ohio State's defense

All-American linebacker J Leman joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to review Illinois football's 48-10 win over Southern Illinois. Leman breaks down another strong passing performance for Katin Houser, Collin Dixon and crew; what improvements he saw from the Illini defense; lingering concerns heading into Big Ten play; and flashes from some freshmen, including RB Javari Barnett. Then Leman looks ahead to the Illini's monumental task at No. 7 Ohio State on Saturday. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz (0:00) - Intro (2:08) - Leman's thoughts on SIU win (4:08) - Thoughts on Illini's strong passing attack (9:28) - Concerns in running game (12:30) - Freshman RB Javari Barnett's strong first impression (16:50) - Did defense take step forward? (20:30) - DB Tanner Heckel's strong game (21:59) - Defensive playmakers (27:05) - Memory lane of 2007 Illini win at Ohio State (40:50) - Keys for Illini against Ohio State (47:47) - Final thoughts

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner break down Illinois football's 48-10 win over Southern Illinois. The guys discuss big games against from Katin Houser and Collin Dixon, getting more weapons involved offensively, piecing together an offensive line, freshman RB Javari Barnett and a far cleaner day for the defense. Then the guys look ahead to Saturday's game at No. 6 Ohio State. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz

Jeremy Werner chats with River Radio Group's Matt Varney and Illini Inquirer's Joey Wagner to preview Saturday's non-conference finale between Illinois and Southern Illinois. Varney breaks down SIU, including star QB DJ Williams, what the Salukis bring on defense and expectations against Illinois. Then Werner and Wagner break down the Illini side of the matchup with a six-pack of questions and their picks to click and bold predictions. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8 Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct Go VIP for 50% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz