Bret Bielema sat down with Big Ten Network to preview the 2024 season.
Upon his hiring ahead of the 2021 season, the Illini had been through several years of turmoil, including numerous coaching changes, mismanagement and other factors that played a negative impact.
Although Bielema has just one bowl appearance entering his fourth season, Bielema recently told the Big Ten Network the program is trending upward. Last year they lost six games by four points or fewer."We actually play on a Thursday night against Eastern Illinois," Bielema said. "We started two days before pretty much everybody else. I know there were some people who had come through; I think SMU is Week 0, so schools in Week 0 started already.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer said he has already put the last season season behind him, tossing 16 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions while completing 64.8 percent of his passes."I really feel in control out there," Altmyer said when speaking about the importance of the maintaining his role as the starting quarterback. "I really do.
Altmyer and his teammates have more star power behind them. Running backs Kaden Feagin and Josh McCray were named to the Doak Walker Award List. Illinois also returns eight All-Conference players.Zain Bando is a contributor to Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at [email protected] or follow him on X @zainbando99
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