Jeremy Werner
@jwerner247.bsky.social
Father | Husband | Publisher, http://IlliniInquirer.com | Former radioman, now podcaster | Bluey stan
NEWS: Two-time All-Big Ten kicker David Olano is entering the transfer portal
Why it matters & what it means for #illini ⤵️
Why it matters & what it means for #illini ⤵️
Illini kicker David Olano to enter transfer portal
Olano earned All-Big Ten honorable mention each of the last two years
247sports.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:09 PM
NEWS: Two-time All-Big Ten kicker David Olano is entering the transfer portal
Why it matters & what it means for #illini ⤵️
Why it matters & what it means for #illini ⤵️
The Luke Altmyer era is over, so #illini football is in the market for a transfer quarterback.
Here are five options to watch ⤵️
Here are five options to watch ⤵️
Illini football: Five transfer portal QB options to watch for Illinois
Illinois is in the market for a new starting quarterback when the transfer portal opens on Friday
247sports.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The Luke Altmyer era is over, so #illini football is in the market for a transfer quarterback.
Here are five options to watch ⤵️
Here are five options to watch ⤵️
Six #Illini who could use the Music City Bowl as a stepping stone to larger impacts in 2026
Six Illini who could use the Music City Bowl as a stepping stone to larger impacts in 2026
Illinois had several players step into bigger roles in a 30-28 win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl
247sports.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Six #Illini who could use the Music City Bowl as a stepping stone to larger impacts in 2026
First two keys were easy (limit explosives & set the tone in the run game -- which Illini did!), but this one also felt like a layup: give Luke Altmyer a chance, and he usually delivers.
Don't take that two-year QB play for granted. Not easy to replicate.
Don't take that two-year QB play for granted. Not easy to replicate.
December 31, 2025 at 2:27 AM
First two keys were easy (limit explosives & set the tone in the run game -- which Illini did!), but this one also felt like a layup: give Luke Altmyer a chance, and he usually delivers.
Don't take that two-year QB play for granted. Not easy to replicate.
Don't take that two-year QB play for granted. Not easy to replicate.
Quick hits: Quick hits: Luke Altmyer leads one last #Illini comeback in 30-28 walk-off win over Tennessee in Music City Bowl
🔸 What happened
🔸 What it means
🔸 Star of the game
🔸 Stats of the game
🔸 Don’t overlook
🔸 What’s next
🔸 What happened
🔸 What it means
🔸 Star of the game
🔸 Stats of the game
🔸 Don’t overlook
🔸 What’s next
Quick hits: Altmyer leads one last Illini comeback in 30-28 walk-off win over Tennessee in Music City Bowl
Illinois used up the final 4:58 of regulation to set up Olano's game-winning, walk-off field goal
247sports.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Quick hits: Quick hits: Luke Altmyer leads one last #Illini comeback in 30-28 walk-off win over Tennessee in Music City Bowl
🔸 What happened
🔸 What it means
🔸 Star of the game
🔸 Stats of the game
🔸 Don’t overlook
🔸 What’s next
🔸 What happened
🔸 What it means
🔸 Star of the game
🔸 Stats of the game
🔸 Don’t overlook
🔸 What’s next
Maybe not quite the Juice Williams drive at No. 1 Ohio State, but it's close.
#illini went 13 plays for 64 yards to eat up the final 4:58 of regulation to set up the game-winning field goal.
#illini went 13 plays for 64 yards to eat up the final 4:58 of regulation to set up the game-winning field goal.
December 31, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Maybe not quite the Juice Williams drive at No. 1 Ohio State, but it's close.
#illini went 13 plays for 64 yards to eat up the final 4:58 of regulation to set up the game-winning field goal.
#illini went 13 plays for 64 yards to eat up the final 4:58 of regulation to set up the game-winning field goal.
FINAL: #illini 30, Tennessee 28
David Olano walk-off 29-yard field goal gives Illinois football its second straight 9+ win season for the first time in program history.
Luke Altmyer commands another game-winning drive. Amazing end to an amazing career.
David Olano walk-off 29-yard field goal gives Illinois football its second straight 9+ win season for the first time in program history.
Luke Altmyer commands another game-winning drive. Amazing end to an amazing career.
December 31, 2025 at 2:00 AM
FINAL: #illini 30, Tennessee 28
David Olano walk-off 29-yard field goal gives Illinois football its second straight 9+ win season for the first time in program history.
Luke Altmyer commands another game-winning drive. Amazing end to an amazing career.
David Olano walk-off 29-yard field goal gives Illinois football its second straight 9+ win season for the first time in program history.
Luke Altmyer commands another game-winning drive. Amazing end to an amazing career.
That was all Kaden Feagin for the first down run. Not much push up the middle.
Tennessee with no timeouts left with 1:46 left. #illini 1st-and-goal at the Tennessee 10.
Vols should let Illinois score.
Tennessee with no timeouts left with 1:46 left. #illini 1st-and-goal at the Tennessee 10.
Vols should let Illinois score.
December 31, 2025 at 1:54 AM
That was all Kaden Feagin for the first down run. Not much push up the middle.
Tennessee with no timeouts left with 1:46 left. #illini 1st-and-goal at the Tennessee 10.
Vols should let Illinois score.
Tennessee with no timeouts left with 1:46 left. #illini 1st-and-goal at the Tennessee 10.
Vols should let Illinois score.
Jordan Anderson never gets stuffed on those short-yardage plays.
Anyone who's watched #illini the past two years knew that was going to Anderson.
Anyone who's watched #illini the past two years knew that was going to Anderson.
December 31, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Jordan Anderson never gets stuffed on those short-yardage plays.
Anyone who's watched #illini the past two years knew that was going to Anderson.
Anyone who's watched #illini the past two years knew that was going to Anderson.
Tennessee muffs the kick return, but the fumble ends up helping them as Joakim Doson returns it 94 yards for a touchdown to take the lead, 28-27, with 4:58 left.
At least, Altmyer has the ball back with plenty of time?
At least, Altmyer has the ball back with plenty of time?
December 31, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Tennessee muffs the kick return, but the fumble ends up helping them as Joakim Doson returns it 94 yards for a touchdown to take the lead, 28-27, with 4:58 left.
At least, Altmyer has the ball back with plenty of time?
At least, Altmyer has the ball back with plenty of time?
Nice drive but can't finish it in the end zone and settle for a 28-yard FG from David Olano. Imagine #illini probably will need to score again to win.
Illinois 27, Tennessee 21; 5:14 left 4Q
Illinois 27, Tennessee 21; 5:14 left 4Q
December 31, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Nice drive but can't finish it in the end zone and settle for a 28-yard FG from David Olano. Imagine #illini probably will need to score again to win.
Illinois 27, Tennessee 21; 5:14 left 4Q
Illinois 27, Tennessee 21; 5:14 left 4Q
Can't give up a 3rd-and-15 and expect this Tennessee offense not to take advantage of it. Shootout may finally be settling in. Luke Altmyer's turn to answer again.
#illini 24, Tennessee 21; 11:40 left 4Q
#illini 24, Tennessee 21; 11:40 left 4Q
December 31, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Can't give up a 3rd-and-15 and expect this Tennessee offense not to take advantage of it. Shootout may finally be settling in. Luke Altmyer's turn to answer again.
#illini 24, Tennessee 21; 11:40 left 4Q
#illini 24, Tennessee 21; 11:40 left 4Q
A lot of flashes from the defensive front tonight from guys who are returning next season: Joe Barna, Eli Coenen, Angelo McCullom and Daniel Brown.
But 3rd-and-long remains an issue, as it has all season...
But 3rd-and-long remains an issue, as it has all season...
December 31, 2025 at 1:05 AM
A lot of flashes from the defensive front tonight from guys who are returning next season: Joe Barna, Eli Coenen, Angelo McCullom and Daniel Brown.
But 3rd-and-long remains an issue, as it has all season...
But 3rd-and-long remains an issue, as it has all season...
#illini Luke Altmyer with three carries for 28 yards, including the two-yard touchdown plunge. Nice finishing blocks by Feagin and Dixon to clear some space.
Really nice drive by Barry Lunney Jr. there as Illinois goes 8 plays in 68 yards.
#Illini 24, Tennessee 14; 2:41 left 3Q
Really nice drive by Barry Lunney Jr. there as Illinois goes 8 plays in 68 yards.
#Illini 24, Tennessee 14; 2:41 left 3Q
December 31, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Nice play design and nice route and catch by Tanner Arkin.
December 31, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Nice play design and nice route and catch by Tanner Arkin.
Laughery and Valentine with a combined 85 yards on 13 carries
December 31, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Laughery and Valentine with a combined 85 yards on 13 carries
Tennessee running backs with 17 carries for 108 yards (6.4 ypc). Josh Heupel probably shouldn't get bored with the run game either.
December 31, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Tennessee running backs with 17 carries for 108 yards (6.4 ypc). Josh Heupel probably shouldn't get bored with the run game either.
What a performance by the #illini defense. Joe Barna strip-sack and Leon Lowery Jr. recovery in the end zone for the touchdown.
Illinois with 6 TFLs and 4.0 sacks already.
Illinois with 6 TFLs and 4.0 sacks already.
December 31, 2025 at 12:30 AM
What a performance by the #illini defense. Joe Barna strip-sack and Leon Lowery Jr. recovery in the end zone for the touchdown.
Illinois with 6 TFLs and 4.0 sacks already.
Illinois with 6 TFLs and 4.0 sacks already.
#illini QB Luke Altmyer completed 10 of his first 12 passes but is just 3 for last 12, including six straight incompletions. A lot of low-percentage, downfield throws of late.
Can't get bored with the run game when it's working so well.
Can't get bored with the run game when it's working so well.
December 31, 2025 at 12:25 AM
#illini QB Luke Altmyer completed 10 of his first 12 passes but is just 3 for last 12, including six straight incompletions. A lot of low-percentage, downfield throws of late.
Can't get bored with the run game when it's working so well.
Can't get bored with the run game when it's working so well.