It’s a new year and a new head coach for the Fighting Illini as they prepare for the 2021 season after finishing 2-6 last year in a shortened season due to COVID. Out was Lovie Smith, who coached the Illini for five years. On December 19, 2020, The Fighting Illini hired former Wisconsin and Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema.
Bielema had a 68-24 record at Wisconsin and was 37-19 in The BIG 10. He went 3-3 in bowl games. He then became the head coach for the Razorbacks in 2013 but struggled in the SEC, finishing 29-34 overall with an 11-29 record in the conference. Bielema did go 2-1 in bowl games. Overall, he’s 97-58.
He takes over a team that’s struggled on both sides of the ball. COVID and injuries derailed any progress the Illini tried to make. They do return quarterback Brandon Peters, a former Michigan Wolverine QB. Peters finished last season 39/80 for 429 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His primary backup, Isaiah Williams, has switched to receiver this year. In Peters’s first year as an Illini in 2019, he went 152/275 for 1,884 yards and 18 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Peters has missed a handful of games throughout his career.
The offensive line has always been a big staple in a Bielema offense and the running game. Sophomore running back Chase Brown figures to see a lot of carries this year. He finished last year with 540 yards on 104 carries and three touchdowns while averaging five yards a carry. Williams was the second-leading rusher with 389 yards on 63 carries and a touchdown.
They’ll need to find somebody to replace receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe who is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tight End Daniel Barker and receivers Brian Hightower and Casey Washington could all be primed to step up.
The Illini will look to improve from their 20 points a game average last year. They were 37% on third downs and were sacked 15 times for an 80-yard loss total. As a team, they rushed 327 times for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. Bielema had feature backs at Wisconsin that put up similar if not better numbers.
The defense equally struggled, which was supposed to be the strong point in a Lovie-led team. The Illini will look to improve on giving up 35 points a game, 2,033 rush yards, and 17 touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Jake Hansen comes off a 68 tackle (36 solo), 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions campaign last year. He has 243 tackles, seven sacks, ten forced fumbles, and three interceptions for his career.
The Fighting Illini open the season on August 28 at home in a conference game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are also looking to improve last year’s disappointing season.
