Here's what Bret Bielema said during his weekly presser as Illinois prepares for Minnesota
Illinois couldn’t follow through with a 2nd straight victory after its upset over Penn State in Happy Valley.
The Fighting Illini dropped a close one to the Scarlet Knights this past Saturday, 20-14 as they scored 10 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to pull out the win.
That loss dropped Illinois to 3-6 on the season as it will have to win out to be bowl eligible this season.
Here’s what head coach Bret Bielema had to say on Monday going into a tough game against Minnesota.
#illini Bret Bielema: Got through last game healthy, no additional injuries of significance. Had a viral flu go through the team. Josh McCray was "banged up" with that.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Minnesota have played really, really well. Offensively, they monopolize the clock, run the ball very well.
Defensively they've stopped the run effectively.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Three points in first quarter for offense "is as bad as it gets." Emphasis on scoring early. An obstacle of working through it.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Brandon Peters played as well as he has since I've been with him. Saw him more animated during the course of the week and after the game (visibly upset). That's a step in the right direction.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema said he's never had so much fluctuation with a starting lineup, especially on offense. Not an excuse, but it's reality. Trying to maximize what we do best. Try to drive offensive play-calling toward our better players.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
Bielema adds he had another soft-tissue injury. Said Hightower has been great with his enthusiasm and energy.
Washington and Williams playing as well as they've played, so they and Navarro are going to get most of the snaps.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Told Brandon Peters before the Rutgers game that if he wants to play beyond his college career, that 'this is it.'
He responded with more engagement and vocality last week. Coincided with his best game.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: 3-6 isn't anywhere we want to be, but there are things that happen around us that are positive things. November is a huge month.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: I know transfer portal things are going to start coming up in our program because it's coming up in other programs. A lot of big conversations during the next month.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: I can't tell you the amount of excitement I have with the younger players in the building. These guys go to work every day and have fun. That's how I'm wired.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: PJ and I are probably completely different people. But when I watch his teams, I appreciate how his teams play and compete. I have a lot of respect for what goes on there.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) November 1, 2021
