Here's what Bret Bielema said ahead of Week 8 matchup with Penn State

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Illinois.

The Illini offense stalled completely in a 24-0 loss to Wisconsin in Week 6’s homecoming game. Now, they’re getting ready for No. 7 Penn State team this week.

But the injuries continue to pile up. Running back Mike Eptsein — who was projected to be the top back this year — is out for the year with injuries. Quarterback Brandon Peters wasn’t cleared to practice Tuesday, but it sounds like there’s a chance he plays against a really good Penn State team this week.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema spent much of the week recruiting, using his extra time wisely to build the program toward the future. He talked about hitting the recruiting trail, as well as what he’s looking for as he starts getting his recruits onto his roster in his Monday afternoon press conference.

Here’s what he had to say:

#illini Bret Bielema: RB Mike Epstein will not be with the team the rest of the year.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Brandon Peters threw the ball yesterday. At some point this week, he could possibly return but isn't cleared for Tuesday's practice

Art and Ryan Johnson and Matt Robinson will take the work during the course of the week.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Jake Hansen going through further testing. He won't be with us this week. Jake likely will have an announcement later this week.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Expect OLB Seth Coleman should be full-go on practice on Tuesday. Should have him back.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: Clear we're going to have to address a lot of positions with transfers

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: As a head coach, you're only as good as your roster. I learned that at the Kentucky Derby. No one's betting on the jockeys.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema saying the past staff's recruitment of OL and QB didn't go as last staff envisioned.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema said he was the first power-five head coach since the pandemic started to get into several high schools he visited last week.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema: During bye week, we've made some changes. You'll see some position changes in Saturday's game. Some of those are in the freshman class.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021

#illini Bret Bielema clarifies that Brandon Peters hasn't practiced since the Wisconsin game. Artur Sitkowski, Ryan Johnson and Matt Robinson have.

Peters hasn't been cleared yet for practice this week.

— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) October 18, 2021