Illini Football: Bielema Aiming to Win Big in 2024

It’s Day 1 of the Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis, and Illinois Football head coach Bret Bielema was the first to take the podium for the press conference. Of course, Bret covered some of the basics surrounding the program going into fall camp, which begins on Sunday, as the Illini urge closer to kickoff vs Eastern Illinois (8/29). Following his time on the big stage, Bielema stepped aside to address the media further and get deeper into the nitty gritty of the impending season.

These were some of the key takeaways from Bielema’s extended time with the media.

Coach B is up. pic.twitter.com/P1oJKWsTnY

— Illinicast (@Illinicast) July 23, 2024

Injury Report

The Illinois Football coach started his time by addressing his roster’s health, as they dive into summer/fall camp. According to coach Bielema, the coast remains mostly clear from any major injury setbacks.

“I Expect everybody to be with us. Kenenna Odeluga has been with us, and should be full go rodeo. James Kreutz, kind of ahead of schedule, so, he’s not cleared 100% yet, but he should be involved with us in practice on the first day, and hopefully be cleared after two weeks into it. 

“Unfortunately, last Wednesday, (redshirt freshman Linebacker)  Mason Muragin came out of a drill, and kind of stepped awkwardly, and he had a knee injury. So, he actually had an ACL tear, that unfortunately will need surgery, so he will be out for the year.” 

Bret finished by saying “Other than that, we should be pretty much full throttle as we go forward, and kind of see where this group is at.” 

Every Game Matters

One of the biggest quotes I took away from Bielema’s presser, was his acknowledgment of the fact that Illinois has been so close to history during his time in Champaign. No doubt, Bret has had the best start to a coaches career at Illinois of any in the modern era. However, he is bothered that his Illini were just 2 games away from having, no doubt, the best 3-year stretch in recent history. Bret is grinding to keep Illinois Football consistently in post-season play. Of course, with the hopes of driving the Illini to Big Ten championships, and eventually, the expanded college football playoff. For Bret, that comes one game at a time. However, getting to the postseason is a must.

Bret’s Quote

“Obviously, I didn’t come here to compete, I want to win. I think about… a lot…. out first year. To go to 5 wins, and everybody is like excited?”, Bielema says with confusion. Well, we are gonna go to a bowl right? So for the nest year, we go 8-5 and I think a lot about what it could have been possibly, you know? Then going into last year with a lot of expectations, and to fall short and go 5-7. On the flip side, I say over a 3 year window, if we could have found two more wins in those 3 year, we would be 3 years in a bowl game, and talking in a totally different light. So, bottom line, it’ s about wins.

Video Credit: WCIA 3