Bret Bielema enters his second season in Champaign continuing his efforts in turning around the program.

During his first season in 2021, the Illini produced a 5-7 record. That included upset wins over Penn State and Minnesota and other wins over Nebraska and Northwestern.

Unfortunately for the Illini faithful, two of those big wins – over Penn State and Minnesota – came on the road. On the other hand, Illinois suffered disappointing home losses to UTSA, Maryland and Rutgers.

Entering the 2022 season, Bielema is hopeful to see fan support come out in droves for the team inside Memorial Stadium. However, Bielema ultimately knows it is up to him to drive the product on the field to get fans in the stands.

Jeremy Werner with the Illini Inquirer shared Bielema’s comments from Monday.

AD Josh Whitman also addressed increasing fan attendance at home games and said the program must generate “FOMO” – the fear of missing out – within the fanbase. We’ll see if the Illini are able to generate that with a big showing in Week 0 against Wyoming.