MNF IS BACK, ILLINOIS-STYLE
Coach Bret Bielema’s overarching message to his first Illinois football team can be summed up in two words: Enough already.
Or, in the more elucidated version: Before you can win a game, you’ve got to stop losing it.
That means cutting down on momentum-busting turnovers. It means avoiding the sort of mental errors good teams find unacceptable. It means keeping the refs’ yellow laundry tucked inside their waistbands, where it belongs.
The Illini were 2-6 last season and 17-39 overall under Lovie Smith, who just couldn’t turn around a program that often has seemed to be un-turn-around-able. Enter Bielema, who dreams big, talks big, expects a ton from his players and sometimes has really good ideas, such as scheduling the team’s spring football game on a Monday night.
‘‘The fact that we can be live on the Big Ten Network,’’ he said, ‘‘I think it’s got these guys jacked up.’’
It’s Orange vs. Blue. It’s sixthyear senior Brandon Peters vs. sophomore Isaiah Williams in a coin-flip competition at quarterback. It’s another needed fresh start for the Illini. It’s a football game with fans in the stands.
‘‘If you know your parents are going to be there, your family, your friends, you’re being watched on national TV, whatever it is, I think it’s going to bring you a little juice,’’ Bielema said. ‘‘I think we’ll see a good, active frenzy on Monday night.’’
A frenzy? Love that word. Memorial Stadium hasn’t seen many football frenzies lately.
Here’s what’s happening: