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What Bret Bielema said as Illinois prepares for Week 0 matchup vs. Nebraska
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We’re less than a week away from Illinois head coach Bret Bielema finally taking to the sidelines in Champaign. In what is considered Week 0, the Illini will take on the Huskers on Aug. 28 in a likely network television season opener.
There is a new sense of hope in Champaign, with a program that has only made six bowl appearances since 2000, the first-year coach is hoping to turn things around. This weekend marks what the Illini faithful hope to be a change of fortunes, and with Bielema now in place and a full camp under his belt, the time is now.
Bielema took to the podium on Monday and met with the media to discuss the Illini injury situation — which is minimal, identify Brandon Peters as the Illini starting quarterback and some other issues.
Below are some of his comments.
#illini Bret Bielema: Vederian Lowe can take biggest jump on team this season.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Only half the league has put out a depth chart, we'll be part of that half. "In our best interest to be in that neutral mode."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: "Brandon Peters will be our QB1 for sure."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Marquez Beason is only player ruled out so far for Saturday's game.
Hoping he'll be available Week 2 or 3. "He's made a turn for the better."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Only three players are not fully vaccinated. Not on two-deep.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema said Brandon Peters got many votes for team captain, even from defensive guys.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema on in-state recruiting success: It's a team effort in-state. When you're in Illinois, it's all of us. When we get good news in Illinois, it's a rallying point for all of us.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: QB Adrian Martinez is a very gifted player, talented. A three-time captain who has "been a mainstay."
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 2021
#Illini Bret Bielema on building the defense: It has been a lot of fun. It has been a constant evolution.
— Alec Busse (@alec_busse) August 23, 2021
#Illini Bret Bielema on Brandon Peters: I have been in the NFL for three years. I would say he has that type of arm. It's just about making the right throws at the right time.
— Alec Busse (@alec_busse) August 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/alec_busse/status/1429869790924099590
Bielema on his debut: “Lots of anticipation and excitement. We have to go out and show what Illinois football is all about.” https://t.co/vGDSB1r2HP
— Thomas Garverick (@ThomasGarverick) August 23, 2021
Illini HC @BretBielema at the podium.
Bielema says there will be no official depth chart for Week 1. “It’s in our best interests to keep it that way”He said 6 captains and Brandon Peters is the QB 1.
Only 3 players on the team are not fully vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/DtRWvxLOqi
— Thomas Garverick (@ThomasGarverick) August 23, 2021
#illini Bret Bielema: Jake [Hansen] is such an alpha, such a dominant figure in our building.
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) August 23, 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.