Bret Bielema explains why backup QB Art Sitkowski is 'not normal'
Bret Bielema had to rely on backup quarterback Art Sitkowski against Iowa after Tommy DeVito left the game with an injury. He talked about the challenges that came with the change at QB for OC Barry Lunney Jr per 247Sports’ Jeremy Werner.
Illinois beat Iowa 9-6 in DeVito’s absence, but it was definitely an adjustment for Lunney. Bielema admitted that pairing of Lunney and Sitkowski caused problems for the offense. However, Bielema was glad that it happened because there’s a lot to learn from it.
#illini Bret Bielema mentions QB-OC pair wasn’t clean on Saturday but they learned a lot that they can take from it.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 10, 2022
Bielema also explained that one of the reasons the offense struggled was because Lunney has not experienced Sitkowski as starting quarterback. Sitkowski played in five games last season before missing the rest of the season with an injury against Penn State.
“Barry hasn’t experienced Art as a starter,” said Bielema. “I have. Art is a guy that accepts the challenge. His preparation is always the same, whether he starts or is the backup. It’s not normal.”
#illini Bret Bielema: Barry hasn’t experienced Art as a starter. I have. Art is a guy that accepts the challenge. His preparation is always the same, whether he starts or is the backup. “It’s not normal.”
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 10, 2022
Illinois fans will get to see Sitkowski at starting QB once again, with Ryan Johnson as the backup if DeVito is unable to play against Minnesota on Saturday.