How Illini Football Will Improve Defensively in 2024

Head Coach Bret Bielema spoke to the BTN Network crew at the Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis on Tuesday and was asked a question Illini fans have posed since Northwestern 2023. How does the Illini plan to improve defensively in 2024?

The Illini were regarded by several outlets as the best defense in college football in 2022, following an impactful 8-5 season under Bret Bielema. The big season came in just in year 2 of the Illini head coach’s tenure. Which, of course, set the tone for what Illinois Football has the potential to be. After falling just short of a Big Ten West championship in 2022, the Illini took a step backward in 2023. The Illini finished 5-7 after a brutal 45-43 loss to Rival Northwestern on November 29th. Certainly, not the kind of season that the Illini need to have while transitioning into the biggest wave of changes in NCAA history.

The past is the past, and Bret Bielema tells the BTN Crew that the Illini are healthier, deeper, and ready for an improved performance in 2023.

Quotes From Bielema on Defensive Improvement

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Health

“Defensively, especially on the back end, we lost a lot of really good players,”  Bret states referring to the Injuries Illinois faced defensively during 2023. “On top of that, we had Matt Bailey, literally one of our best defenders, we lost him the very first play of the Penn State game. Which, was the very first big game,  we lose him for the season,” says Bielema. Furthermore, Brett added, “Xavier Scott had a torn ACL.” to the list of critical injuries as well. “Had some players we thought were gonna be there not materialize. The thing I’m excited about, those players are all back, and they are better,” states the Illini head coach.

Tyler Strain

Bielema touched on another returner that he is excited to cut loose vs Eastern Illinois, as well. “We have a guy named Tyler Strain who helped us over the last couple of years, and has really had his best football.” Says Bret. Certainly, a fully staffed secondary will be a major step forward from the cards the Illini defense was dealt in 2o23.

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