Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor Discusses Illinois Football

Illinois Football enters Week 3 in a much different position than its challenger from the MAC.

The Illini are riding the momentum of a program-defining road victory over Manny Diaz and the Duke Blue Devils. They also come in on a six-game win streak dating back to Week 10 of the 2024 season, and cracking the AP Top 25 once again at No. 9 — the program’s longest stretch in the national poll in 35 years. Illinois’ experienced roster is hyped and hungry to keep the momentum rolling in a game many predict will be a blowout, where Illinois is expected to take care of business. For Bret Bielema’s crew, Saturday’s matchup with Western Michigan presents a great opportunity for another step forward before a massive showdown in Bloomington to kick off Big Ten play.

On the other sideline, Coach Lance Taylor’s squad is still searching for its first victory of the season after a 6-7 campaign in 2024. So far, it’s been a struggle, and adding to the challenge, they head to Champaign for their toughest test yet. The environment is going to be hostile in a sold-out, rocking Memorial Stadium under the lights of a primetime kickoff. For Taylor, the trip is both a daunting test and a chance to see how his roster responds to a very experienced top-ten opponent following a brutal overtime loss to North Texas.

Notably, the Broncos are currently on a 10-game losing streak against Big Ten programs dating back to 2016. Their last victory over a Big Ten team? A 34-10 win over Lovie Smith’s Illini, in Champaign, was led by current Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck. So, never say never… but the Fighting Illini have come a long way under Bielema since that point.

Taylor made it clear when meeting with the press this week that he holds a lot of respect for Bielema and the Illinois Football program. That said, he sees potential for his team to shock the nation and bounce back from last week’s gut-wrenching loss.

His thoughts?

Credit: Lance Taylor on X

Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor discusses the Broncos’ Road Test with Illinois Football

Taylor had plenty of praise for Bret Bielema and the Illinois Football program, as his team prepares for Saturday’s primetime matchup in Champaign.

“I mean, this is a really good football team. Bret Bielema has done an excellent job,” said Taylor.

The Broncos head coach then noted that he’s gotten to know Illinois’ head coach a little better in recent months.

“I got a chance to meet and spend some time with Coach Bielema this offseason. Really good coach, and a really good human being. I appreciate who he is and what he does, not only for his team, but for us as coaches, as one of the leaders of our AFCA coaches convention. He’s on several committees for us. But, I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with him. He does a great job, his teams are well prepared, they’re physical, they’re tough, they’re not gonna beat themselves, and what they really did in the first two weeks shows.”

When asked about the challenge his team faces this week, Taylor didn’t shy away from the reality of the matchup with the veteran Illini and the impact it can have on his roster moving forward.

“I mean, it’s a top ten football team…. We knew, as we looked at the schedule in the offseason—all the talent, all the returning production they were bringing back—that they were a good football team. I think that they are going to be a really tough test for our football team. But, again—the way I talked to our players yesterday—it’s a great opportunity for us to get better. Really, it doesn’t matter who you play; it doesn’t matter whether they’re the No. 9 team in the country, or you play North Texas and go to overtime. How can we continue to get better and play to our standard? I think these types of games, and early-season gauntlet, help prepare us for our MAC play.”

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