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Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

The Drive on ESPN 93.5

ESPN 93.5
Illinois Basketball
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois
Chicago Bears
NCAA Tournament
Big Ten Conference
Illinois Football
Super Bowl
Basketball
Keaton Wagler
Big Ten
NFL Draft
Senior Bowl
NCAA Basketball
Bobby Hauck
Michigan
UCLA
Brad Underwood
St. Louis Cardinals
NFL

The Drive is your daily Illini sports podcast from ESPN 93.5. Kurtis Allen and Evan Stone cover Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball, Illinois Fighting Illini football, the Chicago Bears, Cardinals, Cubs and the biggest sports stories in Champaign-Urbana with interviews, analysis, and a lot of laughs. New episodes every weekday. 🎙️

Follow The Drive on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

PublishesDailyEpisodes177Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsFootballBasketball

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Latest Episodes

Hour 2 of The Drive is packed with major headlines from across the sports world. The guys preview a crucial series for the St. Louis Cardinals against the San Diego Padres and break down what the Chicago Cubs need to do against the Colorado Rockies. more

The Drive kicks off the week with a championship celebration as St. Joseph-Ogden baseball head coach Josh Haley joins the show to discuss the Spartans' incredible run to the IHSA Class 2A State Championship, the key moments from the title game, and w... more

Tristan Thomas joins the show to discuss St. Joseph-Ogden's run in IHSA baseball, the impact of quarterback commit Dane Eisenmenger on the future of Illinois football, and settles the score on whether he or Evan Stone would come out on top in the upc... more

Illinois quarterback commit Dane Eisenmenger meets the media for the first time and discusses why he chose the Illini, his fit in Barry Lunney Jr.'s offense, and what he hopes to bring to the future of Illinois football.

Plus, Jordan Sigler from Chi... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dane Eisenmenger
Tolono Unity quarterback, committed to Illinois for 2026
Illinois Fighting Illini
Episode: 06/12/26 Hour 1: Dane Eisenmenger meets the Illini Media; Jordan Sigler from Chi City Sports explains the next steps in Bears stadium move, talks Minicamp, Caleb Williams vs Michah Parsons, and more
Quinn Flavin
New intern on The Drive
ESPN 93.5 The Drive
Episode: 06/11/26 Hour 2: Sunny Verma says Keaton Wagler to the Bulls could be a good thing, and Illini football & basketball recruitment news; Top 10 players from the Tim Beckman Era; Meet our intern Quinn
Alex Chi
Analyst on Armchair Illini, recurring guest
Armchair Illini
Episode: 06/09/26 Hour 1: Illinois Football lands 3-Star Quarterback Sladen Shack - what you need to know; Cardinals vs Mets and Cubs vs Rockies Preview
Chris Kwasinski
Fox 32 Chicago reporter
Fox 32 Chicago
Episode: 06/05/26 Hour 1: Are you ready for the Hammond Bears? George McCaskey & Kevin Warren announce Bears are Indiana-Bound; Cardinals vs Reds Preview; Giants smoke the Cubs
JT Barnhart
CEO of OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center
OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center
Episode: 06/05/26 Hour 1: Are you ready for the Hammond Bears? George McCaskey & Kevin Warren announce Bears are Indiana-Bound; Cardinals vs Reds Preview; Giants smoke the Cubs
Rob Rains
Cardinals beat writer, founder of STL Sports Page
STL Sports Page
Episode: 06/04/26 Hour 2: HOF'er Rob Rains talks Cardinals & why this team plays so relaxed, which player is his surprise star; Aaron Donald back to the Rams?; Draft Winner - Most Hateable Athletes
Rob Reains
Missouri/Missouri Valley sports journalist
St. Louis Sports Page
Episode: 06/04/26 Hour 1: Isaac Ambrose talks Bielema calling out Pete Bevecqua, and is Underwood the GOAT Coach in Illini history?; Knicks stun the Spurs
Glenn McKinley
WCIA 3 Sports journalist
WCIA 3 Sports
Episode: 05/29/26 Hour 1: Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports talks Illini basketball, Andrej Stojakovic, Football schedule; Brian Walton from The Cardinal Nation previews Cards vs Cubs Series
Andrej Stojaković
Illinois Illini basketball player
University of Illinois
Episode: 05/27/26 Hour 2: Who do the Knicks want to play - Thunder or Spurs?; Evan vs Tristan Thomas; more Andrej Stojakovic talk; Tuesday Draft results - Best 90's Comedies; Pierce the Intern steals the show

Hosts

Kurtis Allen
Host of The Drive on ESPN 93.5
Evan Stone
Co-host of The Drive on ESPN 93.5

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 188 ratings
  • Senior Bowl Content

    Kurtis and his team do a great job of introducing new voices to the audience. I’ve enjoyed the relaunch of this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SovereignWoody
    United States4 months ago
  • Chiefs

    I’m so sick of the chiefs hate on this show

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bullsfan1991
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fun show

    Living in Atlanta this show is a lifeline that keeps me connected to IL sports. Love the sports content but so enjoy when the guys get down a rabbit hole on other topics too. Good chemistry between Lon and Derek keeps it fresh. And have to say for an 18 year old Kyle more than holds his own on air. Keep it going guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Atlanta Illiniman
    United States3 years ago
  • The best show!

    I have listened to nearly every show ever done. I have streamed it for years and was my go to for my commute home in Indy. Very entertaining plus great talk about sports. Lon is the glue that keeps this show going for so many years…..Hopefully for many more years to come!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Illini 29
    United States4 years ago
  • The best show!

    I have listened to nearly every show ever done. I have streamed it for years and was my go to for my commute home in Indy. Very entertaining plus great talk about sports. Lon is the clue that keeps this show going for so many years…..Hopefully for many more years to come!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Illini 29
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some episodes show a polarizing take on teams like the Chiefs; fans either love the banter or dislike the bias.
Kurtis and his team introduce new voices and diversify the show's perspectives.
Listeners appreciate strong host chemistry and entertaining, insightful Illini-focused content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

06/10/26 Hour 1: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer tells us why Lincoln Williams was perfect timing, reviews Quintin Coleman's Team USA Performance; Tolono Unity QB Dane Eisenmenger to Illinois
Q: What did you see out of Quintin Coleman's game with Team USA and how do you project that to Illinois?
Quintin Coleman was incredibly impactful, especially on the offensive glass; his motor and versatility allow him to contribute without needing to be the primary option, making him a valuable complimentary piece as a freshman and a long-term two-way contributor for Illinois.
06/10/26 Hour 1: Kyle Tausk from Illini Inquirer tells us why Lincoln Williams was perfect timing, reviews Quintin Coleman's Team USA Performance; Tolono Unity QB Dane Eisenmenger to Illinois
Q: Kyle, last thing for you, and then we'll let you get back to your real job. What are you working on for Illini Inquirer right now?
I'm covering Illinois' summer activities, including in-state targets at the Riverside Brookfield summer shootout, watching prospects like Mason Martin and Brady Pettigrew, and planning to bring back updates on top targets and upcoming classes as summer workouts begin.
06/08/26 Hour 2: Brian Teague from Chicago State of Mind Sports tells us why the Bears WON'T be going to Indiana, Lincoln Williams to the Illini, and Quentin Coleman's performance for Team USA U8
Q: What is Brian Teague's take on the Bears' move to Indiana vs. Arlington Heights in Illinois?
Brian explains that the situation is largely posturing from both sides, with Indiana perceived to be offering favorable concessions, but he believes Arlington Heights remains the ultimate Illinois-based long-term target for the Bears, if a deal is to be secured.
06/12/26 Hour 1: Dane Eisenmenger meets the Illini Media; Jordan Sigler from Chi City Sports explains the next steps in Bears stadium move, talks Minicamp, Caleb Williams vs Michah Parsons, and more
Q: How has the reaction been from family and the Unity program?
He shared his family's excitement and pride, and noted that former Unity teammates and coaches are supportive as he transitions to Illinois.
06/12/26 Hour 1: Dane Eisenmenger meets the Illini Media; Jordan Sigler from Chi City Sports explains the next steps in Bears stadium move, talks Minicamp, Caleb Williams vs Michah Parsons, and more
Q: What does the move to Illinois mean for your playbook and trajectory in the Illini program?
Dane explained he needs to learn a new playbook and adjust to the higher level, with teammates already having experience in the system; the goal is to earn reps and contribute to a successful season.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Drive on ESPN 93.5

What is The Drive on ESPN 93.5 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts deliver a fast-paced, locally flavored sports show focused on Illinois Fighting Illini basketball and football, plus Bears, Cardinals, Cubs, and wide Champaign-Urbana coverage. Episodes blend headlines, in-studio banter, guest expert analysis, and crowd-sourced fan interaction, with occasional light-hearted segments and an intern feature that adds fresh perspectives. Noteworthy are the frequent cross-sport discussions, deep dives with regional reporters and national writers, and a humor-forward style that keeps the conversation accessible to a broad Illinois sports audience. This mix likely appeals to listeners seeking timely team updates, insider takes, and entertaining banter tied to local sports culture.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Drive on ESPN 93.5. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Drive on ESPN 93.5 and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Drive on ESPN 93.5 get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

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How many subscribers and views does The Drive on ESPN 93.5 have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Drive on ESPN 93.5 has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Drive on ESPN 93.5:

1. Illini Inquirer Podcast: An Illinois Fighting Illini athletics podcast
2. I on the Illini
3. Inside Illini Basketball
4. Illini Pella Saturday SportsTalk
5. IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

How many episodes of The Drive on ESPN 93.5 are there?

The Drive on ESPN 93.5 launched 7 years ago and published 177 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

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What guests have appeared on The Drive on ESPN 93.5?

Recent guests on The Drive on ESPN 93.5 include:

1. Dane Eisenmenger
2. Quinn Flavin
3. Alex Chi
4. Chris Kwasinski
5. JT Barnhart
6. Rob Rains
7. Rob Reains
8. Glenn McKinley

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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