The Illini wrapped up their first fall training camp under Bret Bielema on Friday. While the team had already used up their two allowed scrimmages, the Illini took the last day of training camp to hold a mock game in preparation for Week 0.
With no tackling and limited action, Bielema took Friday as an opportunity to simulate what next Saturday will look like for the Illini. The team bussed to the stadium in the morning for a noon kickoff after eating a typical pregame meal and doing the Illini Walk. Bielema showed his team how they'll walk onto the field, which coaches will be in the press boxes and where each player will be on the sideline.
Friday's walkthrough was a culmination of almost three weeks of work from the players and the staff. From the health and safety of players to learning the playbook, the Illini made great strides in training camp.
Staying Healthy
One of the most important parts of camp to Bielema was preventing preseason injuries. From his time in the NFL, Bielema learned how crucial training off the field and recovery post-practice was to keeping players as healthy and sharp as possible. Bielema and strength coach Tank Wright worked together in the offseason to get their players in the best shape of their lives with two eight-week programs.
The training paid off as the Illini made it through training camp with just one major injury. Offensive lineman Jordyn Slaughter was injured at practice on Aug. 5. The redshirt sophomore who was competing for one of the guard spots will miss the 2021 season after having a successful surgery.
"Tank and I had talked about him repeatedly throughout the summer about the progress that he had made," Bielema said following the injury. "He had had a really good start to camp. Obviously, he was competing inside for an interior guard position. And unfortunately, the severity of his injury is probably going to keep him out for the season. But I called him and talked to him (Wednesday) afternoon and got the chance to visit with his mom when she was driving in. He's very upbeat, and the good Lord only challenges those who can handle it, and I think he's definitely one who can handle it and make the most of a bad situation."
Aside from Slaughter, the Illini have remained relatively healthy.
Along with the minimal injuries, the Illini are almost fully vaccinated. Bielema said every player has received the first shot and only five or fewer are awaiting their second shot.
Improving Every Day
Before installing the game plan in training camp, Bielema was looking to see a positive difference from the team's spring practices to their fall practices. Through the first week of camp, Bielema and the players could pinpoint their improvements, finally seeing the results of an offseason full of work.
"It's not about where we're at, it's where we're going," Bielema said. "These guys have taken a daily approach. There are days where I think we've had big gains. There's only been a few where I don't know if we've moved forward and I challenged them with that."
Then camp turned to fine tuning the fundamentals and slowly learning the system. While the Week 0 game keeps creeping closer, Bielema stays true to installing the specifics as slow as needed.
"We install our playbook as our players learn it. I can't just put 20 things in there and say learn it," Bielema said. "It's a process. They gotta learn 1-5 to make 6 happen. In our offense, run game feeds passing game or vice versa. They're all intertwined. We did a really nice job in my opinion as coaches of adapting to our athletes, to our students and how they've learned and how they regurgitate it. Obviously put a spin on it the last couple weeks about our opening game against Nebraska and kind of what that meant, offense, defense, special teams. I'm very happy with what we've put in and installed because I think they know it very, very well. As we game-plan and we get closer to certain games, then you're allowed to tweak it and get done what you need to get done. For the most part, everything we need to get in is in."
Nebraska Preparation
While prepping for Nebraska has been a work in progress since the spring, the Illini have really zeroed in on the game plan the last couple days. Following the second scrimmage Monday, the team has been in game week mode.
According to Bielema, every player besides Slaughter and Marquez Beason will be ready to go next Saturday.
The Illini got a little taste of what Memorial Stadium could sound like on Aug. 28th as the university held the annual Sights and Sounds for the 2025 class on Thursday. Illini Captains — Blake Hayes, Jake Hansen, Tony Adams, Owen Carney, Doug Kramer and Vederian Lowe — were all in attendance, alongside Bielema.
"Excited to get to August 28," Bielema said. "Since I came here, the first game we thought was going to be in Ireland. Was all for that and everything that represented, but when it became clear that probably wasn't going to go through because of different things going on in the world we live in, the opportunity to play our first game here in Memorial and to open up the college football season was just something I couldn't ask for anything better. So, our guys have been progressing nicely to get to that point."
Welcome home class of 2025! ??
Excited to have you join the Fighting Illini #FamILLy!
I-L-L! pic.twitter.com/I6TZiiLp9Z
— Taylor West (@TaylorLWest_) August 20, 2021
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Illini Wrap Up Fall Camp, Enter Game Week - University of Illinois Athletics - Fighting Illini
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