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Bret Bielema talks Illinois’ win over Nebraska in Monday presser
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It’s a good start — for a first-year coach it’s always good to start on the right foot, and getting a home-opening win fits the bill.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema did just that, as his Illini bested visiting Nebraska, 30-22 to get the new Illinois coach into the win column right out of the gate.
After a first half that saw mistakes made by both sides and Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters leaving with an injury, the Illini entered the locker room with a 16-9 lead after a scoop-and-score by C.J. Hart with the half winding down.
Bielema and his staff clearly made adjustments at the half. The opening drive of the second half saw the Illini march down the field, draining down the clock and finding the endzone to set the tone for the second half.
The Illini coach met with the media Monday afternoon, updating the team’s injury situation touching on some of the game’s highlights.
Here is some of what Bielema had to say.
#illini Bret Bielema: Awaiting further tests on CJ Hart.
Beason will be back this week.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 30, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Kramer, Williams and Sitkowski had offense MVPs.
Kramer had 19 knockdowns
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 30, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Defense MVPs were Johnny Newton, CJ Hart amd Sydney Brown
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 30, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Chase Brown aggravated an injury so he was limited Saturday. Should be fully good to go vs. UTSA
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 30, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Daniel Barker had five knockdowns as a blocker
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 30, 2021
#illini Bielema: Hightower will be out for a while with soft-tissue injury. Moving in right direction.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 30, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema said he has a film session with Owen Carney at 8 p.m. tonight, and it was requested by Carney.
Second week in a row we've heard this. Bielema said Carney is "a sponge."
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) August 30, 2021
LIVE: Bielema on Deuce Spann at WR:
"We put together a package for him and I told him Wednesday or Thursday that if we run this play that he'll probably score, seriously. So, Sunday I texted him an apology that he was six inches off from scoring."https://t.co/bROggQWood
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) August 30, 2021
#Illini Bielema: Luke Ford has begun to evolve into a complete tight end.
— Alec Busse (@alec_busse) August 30, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Doug Kramer had 19 knockdowns as an offensive lineman, which is the most I've ever seen in my coaching career.
— Joey Wagner (@mrwagner25) August 30, 2021
#Illini Bret Bielema: Marquez Beason will start practice this week.
Sounds like Beason is back. Will be interesting to see his involvement in the WR room.
— Alec Busse (@alec_busse) August 30, 2021
Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.