The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with Chicago Bears and Illinois football talk! Kurtis and Evan are joined by Chris Kwiecinski of FOX 32 to discuss the latest on Luther Burden III's injury, what it means for the Bears' wide receiver depth, and why there's reason for optimism surrounding Chicago's defense. Then it's back to Champaign for an Illinois football defensive back breakdown, looking at the Illini secondary and the players who could make an impact this season. Plus, we preview the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies, including what to watch for in the matchup. In Hour 2: 🏈 Chris Kwiecinski on the Luther Burden injury 🐻 Bears offensive depth and defensive optimism 🧡 Illinois football DB breakdown ⚾ Cardinals vs. Phillies preview 🔥 More Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis sports talk Subscribe to The Drive for daily Illini, Bears, Cubs, Cardinals and Big Ten sports coverage from Champaign, Illinois.

The Dog Days of Summer are here, but Illinois football season is getting closer! On Hour 1 of The Drive, Kurtis and Evan dive into the latest Illini football storylines, including what fans should be watching as fall camp continues. Plus, we have some fun with the strangest and most unexpected football opponents Big Ten schools have played, bring back Random Illini Players of the Day, and check in on the Chicago Cubs, who continue to roll as the MLB season heats up. In this hour: 🏈 Illinois Football and the Dog Days of Summer 🤔 The strangest teams Big Ten schools have played 🧡 Random Illini Players of the Day ⚾ Cubs keep rolling 🔥 Plenty of Illini and Chicago sports talk Illinois has a long and unusual football history, with more than 130 seasons and 99 major opponents documented in its all-time head-to-head records. Listen to The Drive for the latest Illini, Cubs, Bears and Big Ten conversation!

The Chicago Cubs are rolling, and Alex Patt of Chi City Sports joins The Drive to break down the team's recent surge, why the Cubs' moves at the MLB Trade Deadline could pay off, and whether Alex Bregman is finally starting to look like the player Chicago hoped it signed. Then it's time to turn the attention to Illinois football, with a breakdown of the Illini linebackers heading into the 2026 season. Kurtis and Evan look at the depth, key players and biggest questions facing the position group. And, of course, the week wraps up with Friday Toasts, as Kurtis and Evan raise a glass to the people, teams and moments that deserve some recognition. Follow The Drive on X , Instagram , and Facebook .

Illinois basketball sophomore star David Mirkovic is dealing with a significant foot injury that required surgery, and Kyle Tausk of Illini Inquirer joins The Drive to discuss the seriousness of the injury, his expected recovery and what it means for the Illini heading into the 2026-27 season. Early reports indicate a recovery timeline of roughly 6–8 weeks, with Illinois still expecting Mirkovic to be ready for the start of the season. Kyle, Kurtis and Evan also examine Illinois basketball's depth and how the roster can withstand a potentially extended absence from one of its most important frontcourt pieces. Plus, it's time for Evan's Random Illinois Football Players of the Day, and the guys react to new Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland's bizarre opening press conference, where he took an immediate shot at rival Indiana by saying Purdue is where you go if you want to win championships. The comment quickly drew criticism and plenty of attention.

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with Illinois football and Major League Baseball talk! The guys continue their Illinois football position previews by taking an in-depth look at the Fighting Illini defensive line. Can this unit become one of the Big Ten's best? They discuss the impact of the returning veterans, breakout candidates, pass rush expectations, and how the defensive front could shape Illinois' 2026 season. Then it's on to the Chicago Cubs after a thrilling extra-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The crew breaks down the dramatic finish, key performances, and what the win means as the Cubs continue their push toward the postseason. Finally, the debate heats up: Should Pete Crow-Armstrong be ahead of Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race? The guys compare offensive production, elite defense, overall value, and whether PCA has done enough to overtake baseball's biggest superstar. If you're looking for daily Illinois football coverage, Cubs analysis, MLB news, and Big Ten discussion, The Drive has you covered.

Illinois football training camp is heating up, and Carson Gourdie from WICS joins The Drive to break down the biggest storylines on the defensive side of the ball. The guys discuss why the Illini defense has the potential to be one of the Big Ten's best, key position battles, and players who could emerge as difference-makers this season. They also dive into Illinois' intriguing backup quarterback competition behind Katin Houser, examining the battle between Carson Boyd, Michael Clayton II, and Dane Eisenmenger as camp continues. The QB2 race has become one of the most talked-about storylines of fall camp. Plus, Evan returns with another edition of Random Illinois Football Players of the Day, featuring memorable names from Illini football history and plenty of laughs along the way. If you're an Illini football fan, this is your daily source for Illinois football news, analysis, recruiting, Big Ten discussion, and training camp updates.

The Chicago Cubs continue their incredible stretch by completing a series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, raising even more questions about whether they're the team to beat in the National League. We break down what stood out during the series, the biggest contributors, and what the sweep means heading into the final two months of the season. We also preview tonight's matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees, discussing the pitching matchup, key players to watch, and what's at stake as the Cardinals continue their postseason push. To close out the show, Pierce The Fierce challenges Kurtis and Evan for one of the most entertaining drafts yet—a fantasy draft of the greatest professional wrestlers since 1990. Which legends came off the board first? Who built the best roster? And which iconic wrestlers were surprisingly left out? 🔔 Subscribe for daily coverage of Illinois Athletics, the Cubs, Cardinals, Bears, Big Ten football, and more. 🎙️ Listen to The Drive weekdays on ESPN 93.5 with Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone.

Illinois basketball received concerning news as sophomore star David Mirkovic underwent successful surgery on his left foot after suffering an injury during a recent team workout. The guys discuss what the injury means for the Illini heading into the 2026-27 season, early reports suggesting a 6-to-8 week recovery timeline, and why Illinois still expects Mirkovic to make a full recovery before the season gets underway. They also break down how Brad Underwood could adjust if Mirkovic misses additional time and which players may be asked to step into larger roles. Later, Ravi Lulla joins the show to discuss the biggest headlines coming out of the Big Ten as fall camp ramps up. The conversation includes which conference contenders are generating the most buzz, what to make of preseason expectations around the league, and a look at several head coaches who could find themselves on the hot seat if their teams underperform in 2026. Ravi also shares his thoughts on Illinois' outlook entering the season and where the Illini stack up against the rest of the conference. The hour wraps up with another edition of Random Illini Football Players of the Day, highlighting memorable names from Illinois football history while taking a trip down memory lane with listeners.

J Leman joins The Drive to preview the 2026 Illinois football season, discussing expectations for Bret Bielema, key players, and what could make this Illini team special. Jacob Infante breaks down the latest from Chicago Bears training camp, including the impact of Coby Bryant's injury and standout performers. Plus, the Cubs emerge as one of the biggest winners of the MLB Trade Deadline with several key additions, while the Cardinals begin reshaping their roster by trading Lars Nootbaar. Catch all the biggest Illini, Bears, Cubs, Cardinals, and NFL headlines from August 4, 2026. The Cubs were widely viewed as aggressive buyers at the deadline, while St. Louis shifted toward selling by moving Nootbaar. Follow The Drive on X , Instagram , and Facebook .

Jacob Infante from Pro Football Network and the Windy City Gridiron calls in to talk about Bears camp, extensions, injuries, and potential future moves. Jacob also sheds some light that Pierce the Fierce might have some competition. Evan and Quinn have both had the same experience hooked up to 1,000 wires... Evan explains his hot take from hour 1.

Evan and Quinn react live on air to breaking news about David Mirkovic's injury, WHAT DOES IT MEAN??? Then, All-American J Leman gets an intro of a lifetime and joins the show to discuss Illinois' 2026 season and beyond. What does J really think about the SEC? The hour ends with maybe Evan's hottest take yet...

08-03-26 ESPN The Drive Hour 2, Evan Stone and Pierce talk about trade deadline, and what we think about the Cardinals and Cubs made.

08-03-26 ESPN The Drive Hour 1, Evan Stone and Pierce talk about trade deadline, and the upcoming Illinois football season

The Drive recaps an eventful first week of Chicago Bears training camp, highlighting an offense that continues to generate excitement while the defense works through early camp growing pains. Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone discuss Caleb Williams' development, the playmakers standing out, and whether Bears fans should be encouraged by the offensive progress. The conversation then shifts to the NFL, where the guys explain why the Los Angeles Chargers have all the ingredients to be a legitimate Super Bowl sleeper in 2026. They also preview the Cardinals' upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays, discussing key pitching matchups and what St. Louis needs after losing three of four to the Cubs. The week closes with another edition of Friday Toasts, celebrating the biggest winners and memorable moments from the week in sports. Follow The Drive on X , Instagram , and Facebook .

Austin Burklund of Armchair Illini joins The Drive to break down expectations for Bret Bielema and Illinois football entering the 2026 season. The conversation covers what success looks like for the Illini, key players to watch, the biggest challenges on the schedule, and why Washington has the potential to emerge as one of the Big Ten's biggest surprise teams this year. Later in the hour, Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone recap the Cubs taking three of four games from the Cardinals in a heated rivalry series. The guys discuss what went wrong for St. Louis, what the series means for both teams moving forward, and the latest storylines around the National League playoff race. Follow The Drive on X , Instagram , and Facebook .

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with football talk from both the NFL and college ranks. Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports joins the show to discuss the early chemistry between Caleb Williams and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden on the opening day of Chicago Bears training camp, while also examining concerns the coaching staff may have with standout defensive back Kyler Gordon. Later, Ravi Lulla of Hurrdat Sports recaps Big Ten Media Days, highlighting the coaches and players who elevated their stock, the conference's biggest storylines, and what stood out as teams prepare for the 2026 college football season. Follow The Drive on X , Instagram , and Facebook .

Illinois football took center stage at Big Ten Media Days, and Doug Bucshon of Orange & Blue News joins The Drive to break down everything Illini fans need to know. The guys discuss Bret Bielema's headline-making comments comparing the Big Ten and SEC, Katin Houser representing Illinois at media day, the biggest concerns and strengths on the defensive side of the ball, and what to expect as preseason camp approaches. The hour wraps up with another edition of Evan's Random Illini Football Players of the Day. Follow The Drive on X , Instagram , and Facebook .

The St. Louis Cardinals are searching for answers after another frustrating stretch. Curt Bishop joins the show to discuss what's behind the club's recent slump, whether it's time to panic, and what needs to change as the Cardinals battle the rival Chicago Cubs in a pivotal four-game series. We also look at the latest trade deadline storylines, key matchups, and what's at stake for both teams heading into one of baseball's biggest rivalries. Then, it's time for another hilarious Tuesday Draft! This week, Kurtis, Evan, and the crew draft the greatest Old Lady Names of all time, featuring timeless classics, forgotten favorites, and plenty of laughs along the way. Follow The Drive on X , Instagram , and Facebook .

Illinois football officially takes center stage as Big Ten Media Days get underway in Chicago. Head coach Bret Bielema opens the week by taking a subtle shot at the SEC, saying parts of college football are "still stuck in 2005," while explaining why he believes the Big Ten has become the nation's premier conference. We break down Bielema's biggest comments, what they mean for the Illini entering the 2026 season, and the national storylines surrounding Illinois. Plus, Sunny Verma of Locked On Illini joins us live from Big Ten Media Days in Chicago with the latest buzz surrounding Bret Bielema, player interviews, preseason expectations, recruiting chatter, and how Illinois is being viewed by the national media. We also continue one of our favorite offseason traditions with another edition of Random Illini Football Players of the Day, featuring forgotten names, memorable moments, and a trip down Illinois football memory lane.

The Cardinals and Cubs renew one of baseball's greatest rivalries as they open a four-game series with plenty on the line. The Cardinals are looking to gain ground in the National League playoff race, while the Cubs hope to protect their position atop the division. We preview the pitching matchups, key hitters to watch, trade deadline storylines, and what this series could mean as both clubs approach the stretch run. The NBA conversation shifts to Philadelphia following the blockbuster acquisition of LeBron James. With LeBron joining an already talented roster, we debate whether the 76ers still need Joel Embiid to be legitimate championship contenders. Is the franchise better served building around LeBron and its younger core, or does Embiid remain the centerpiece despite his injury history? We examine how the Sixers could look entering the 2026-27 season. The hour also continues our discussion on Illinois Athletics' historic new partnership with Busey Bank. We dive deeper into the financial impact of the reported $30 million agreement, what the jersey patch sponsorship means for Illinois' national brand, and how the additional revenue can help the Fighting Illini remain competitive in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics through recruiting, facilities, and revenue sharing.