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Illinois AD comments on Illini’s 2-4 start

Nick Schultz

By Nick Schultz

Published:

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman took another big swing when he hired Bret Bielema as the Illini’s new football coach.

The Illini are 2-4, but some close games are the difference between 4-2. Whitman talked about that with Jeremy Werner of IlliniInquirer at B1G Media Days this week ahead of college basketball season.

“I see a group of guys that’s excited to play together, that has played a lot of football together, that finds themselves in positions to win games,” Whitman, a former tight end, told IlliniInquirer. “They just have to figure out in those moments how to take those final steps, and I know that’s not the answer our fans enjoy — and I don’t either. It’s not like I’m excited [about] being within a couple drives of being in a very, very different position. But I also recognize that it’s a process that works its way out overnight. So I’m encouraged.”

Bielema’s squad has a big game this week with Wisconsin coming to Champaign for the Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on the B1G Network.

Nick Schultz

Nick Schultz is a columnist and breaking news writer for Saturday Tradition. A 2020 graduate of Loyola Chicago, he covered the Ramblers' 2018 Final Four run from beginning to end and has worked at NBC Sports Chicago. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickSchultz_7.