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Bret Bielema talks development of DL Jer’Zhan Newton, previews matchup with Virginia in Week 2

Grant Bricker

By Grant Bricker

Published:

Bret Bielema joined Martin O’Donnell of the Fighting Illini Radio Network to talk about how the team looking heading into Game 3. Illinois will face Virginia this time around.

A player that is on the right path for Illinois has been DL Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton. Newton has been a force on the defensive line so far, with 11 total tackles and 1 sack. Bielema has been most impressed with how much he has improved from last season.

“Johnny continues to be impressive from the growth he had a year ago to where we are now,” said Bielema. “His football awareness, he had a lot of early down pressures. As an O-lineman early down pass sets are a lot different from late down sets. He’s playing at a really high level.”

The Fighting Illini are looking ahead to their matchup with Virginia. The Cavaliers have a new head coach in former Clemson assistant Tony Elliott. It will be a different scheme with Elliott at the helm.

“They’ve got a new guy there in Tony Elliott,” said Bielema. “Even though we’re playing the same team and players, they have different schemes. They’re led by their quarterback. Defensively, they play very long. Tremendous challenge in front of us.”

Grant Bricker

Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.