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Illinois football: Bret Bielema works his familiar winning formula in Year 2 in Champaign

Shawn Ekwall

By Shawn Ekwall

Published:

They just keep winning and winning.

No one, and I mean NO ONE had Illinois contending in the B1G West. Yet here we are at the end of October, and look who’s perched atop the West standings.

Illinois, (7-1, 4-1) took down another conference foe Saturday in methodical fashion. The 26-9 win over Nebraska in Lincoln wasn’t a masterpiece. It didn’t have to be. You see, the Illini have put together a basic winning formula in less than 2 years under Bret Bielema. Running the football and a brick wall defense is doing the trick. It may not be pretty, but folks are giddy with the results in Champaign.

The Illini haven’t started 7-1 since 2001. That’s 21 long years. They last played in the Rose Bowl in 2008. It’s been a long drought of ineptitude since. But the script is changing quickly in 2022. And it’s a formula Bielema is all too familiar with. A strong, run-stopping defense and a stud running back who has game-changing ability, yet can wear down defenses between the tackles.

Chase Brown continues to shine

Brown entered Saturday as the nation’s leading rusher, averaging just over 150 yards per game. The junior relished his workhorse role again, running for 149 yards on 32 carries against the Huskers. He found the end zone twice — once on the ground and once off a TD toss from Tommy DeVito. Nebraska slowed him at times, but never fully contained him.

That’s the kind of blueprint Bielema loves. Feed his stud. Grind the clock. Let his defense suffocate the opposition. It worked to perfection once again. Nebraska had no answer. It’s almost like the Huskers cried “mercy” in the 2nd half. It was death by 1,000 cuts, and it’s the perfect recipe for Illini success.

Brown has eclipsed 100 yards in all 8 games this season. He’s run for 1,248 yards and 5 rushing TDs on the year. He’s gaining Heisman steam by the week. The Illinois athletic department devoted a site to Brown’s accomplishments and to tout his case for a trip to New York. Saturday definitely didn’t hurt his cause.

Suffocating defense

With a defense that keeps showing up week after week, it’s really not hard to see why Illinois has made a quick ascent in the standings.

These dudes can play. No, there’s really no standout. But each level is playing tremendous football. Feeding off each other. Loving the results.

Where to start Saturday? Maybe it’s the secondary. Nebraska’s Trey Palmer entered as the top receiver in the nation according to PFF. He certainly got the attention of the Illini and DC Ryan Walters.

What ensued? A 1 catch for ONE yard performance. Illinois shut him down. It was a collective effort. Jim Thorpe award semifinalist Devon Witherspoon certainly deserves credit. Witherspoon was locked up on Palmer man-to-man much of the afternoon. Palmer couldn’t shake loose. Granted, it wasn’t all Palmer’s fault. Casey Thompson missed him on a few throws. But Witherspoon’s coverage allowed the Illini defensive front to bring — and get — pressure on Thompson, and later Chubba Purdy.

Or maybe we talk about takeaways. The Illini defense forced 4 turnovers. They picked off Thompson twice before he left with an injury. They recovered an Anthony Grant fumble in Nebraska territory. To say they were opportunistic would be an understatement. Heck, Sydney Brown (INT) teamed up with brother Chase on a turnover and a score. Everything was clicking for Bielema’s crew.

Finally, shall we discuss the defensive front? Yes, they recorded only 2 sacks, but they are a problematic unit for opponents in other ways.  Jer’Zhan Newton had a sack and a TFL. The Illini defense had 6 TFLs total. They wreck havoc. Nebraska’s offensive line had its hands full. Huskers’ RB Anthony Grant was held to 61 yards on 12 carries. He shook free at times, but Illinois never let him bust off a long one.

Tommy DeVito’s calm demeanor

The Syracuse transfer has been a godsend at QB for Illinois. A loud, sellout Memorial Stadium crowd? DeVito didn’t bat an eye.

He finished 20-22 for 179 yards and 2 TDs. Not earth-shattering passing yardage by any means. But DeVito’s not going to lose you games. Especially with a running game like the Illini have. Illinois ran it 48 times Saturday. Once they had a 20-9 lead, they bled clock and extended drives by moving the chains. A winning formula.

DeVito’s accuracy was impressive Saturday. His 90.9% completion percentage was a Memorial Stadium record for a QB. He wasn’t going to put his team in jeopardy by taking risks. His veteran presence is paying dividends for Bielema.

Growing confidence

Yes, the Illini are 7-1. Yet, they want more. A home game vs. Sparty awaits. Win that, and Illinois is 8-1 and hosting Purdue on Nov. 12. This train really is headed for Indy, isn’t it? OK, that’s a bit premature, but with this running game and defense, it’s hard to think otherwise. There’s no question the players think it as well.

This isn’t Bielema’s first rodeo, folks. He didn’t go 68-24 over 7 years at Wisconsin for nothing. He knows the winning formula. Running the football and playing tough defense.

He wasn’t a perfect fit at Arkansas in the SEC. But given a 2nd chance to come home to a league he knows well, Bielema’s proven, once again, he’s one of the best college football minds in the land.

Shawn Ekwall

Shawn Ekwall has been a contributing writer for Huskers Illustrated and covers the Huskers and other B1G teams for Saturday Tradition. Follow him on twitter @shawn_ekwall