We are officially one day away from the first kickoff for the Fighting Illini.
After an offseason of change and realignment, the wait is over: Grange Grove will be filled with tailgaters once more, and Gies Memorial Stadium will be roaring again.
It’s been 278 days since the orange and blue graced Zuppke Field, and Thursday will mark a new chapter for an already historic program.
The Illini will kick off on Thursday at 8 p.m. against UAB on Big Ten Network.
The first look
Thursday will be the first time the general public gets to see the new scoreboard in all its glory.
To say the lights will be bright might be an understatement.
Walking north of Green Street, you can see the orange hues reflecting from the scoreboard onto the various high-rise apartment buildings. It’s truly bigger than I imagined, and I expect it to get a decent amount of national media coverage throughout the season.
Bielema has already gotten a taste of the revamped stadium during late-night practices, and he likes what he has seen.
“It’s never been brighter, louder, and bigger than what it is right now. It’s pretty awesome,” Bielema said.
The changes go beyond the massive video board. Illinois also installed a new sound system and new lighting throughout the stadium, creating an entirely different atmosphere for players and fans.
With Thursday’s 8 p.m. kickoff against UAB, the Illini will get their first chance to experience the renovations under the lights.
Returning stars
While plenty of attention has been placed on the new faces across the roster, Bielema believes Illinois may have more depth at running back and tight end than it has had during his tenure.
“Our running back room and our tight end room probably have as much depth as we’ve ever had since I’ve been here,” Bielema said.
Ca’Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery headline the running back room, while Kaden Feagin has continued to impress after transitioning from tight end.
At tight end, Feagin is continuing to learn the position after switching from running back. Bielema said Feagin has “literally gotten better every day.”
Feagin’s switch is intriguing, to say the least. The senior spent the last three years at running back, but with his 6’3”, 260-pound frame, the tight end position might be just right.
At quarterback, Illinois will turn to Katin Houser, who brings significant college experience from Michigan State and East Carolina.
Houser is objectively the biggest question mark for the Illini, but with Bielema’s history of hitting on transfer quarterbacks, I’m not worried about the fifth-year senior.
The DB’s will lead the Illini
The biggest change on defense comes from the arrival of new defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck and a new 3-3-5 defensive system.
Bielema said he intentionally wanted to bring in a scheme that would force him to learn something new, giving the defense a different look after Illinois’ previous system became more common around the Big Ten.
The Illini will also welcome back Xavier Scott after his injury, while Matthew Bailey returns to anchor the secondary.
Bielema believes the duo, along with Mac Resetich, has gone from overlooked recruits to premier players.
“All three of those guys had one offer in college football, and it was the University of Illinois,” Bielema said.
Now, Bielema believes Scott and Bailey could hear their names called in the NFL Draft next year.