Getting a chance to watch the games

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Aug. 29—CHAMPAIGN — On their last free weekend before the 2026 season starts, how does Bret Bielema hope his Illinois football players will spend their time?

Checking on the game, of course.

"It's fun to see those guys watch football when they're not in it," Bielema said during Friday's press conference at Gies Memorial Stadium.

The Illini open at 8 p.m. on Thursday against UAB (BTN). Bielema is 5-0 in season debuts since taking over at Illinois in 2021.

The coaches planned to keep the players on the field late Friday night. But Bielema is giving them some time off Saturday.

"I always tell them, 'Hey, the more you can watch football you've never seen before and put yourself in the moment … you've got a second-and-10 get back on track.'"

Bielema knows they are watching. He exchanges text messages with his leadership council.

"It's not uncommon for some of those guys to hit me up with: 'Coach, did you just see that?'" the sixth-year Illinois coach said. "(Former Illini now New England Patriots linebacker) Gabe Jacas all of the time would hit me up. It could be just a move."

Different angle

Entering his 18th season as a head coach, Bielema doesn't remember his defensive coordinator ever working the game from the press box … until now.

First-year coordinator Bobby Hauck will be eight stories up during the Illinois-UAB game.

"I called it from the field. I think all my coordinators have," Bielema said. "Maybe Chris Ash might have (been in the box)."

Bielema likes Hauck's plan.

"If you would ask our defensive guys: Are they having a lot of fun? I think they are having a lot of fun flying around, playing this defense," Bielema said. "I think the offense can feel it when they get some energy going. I think the personality of our defense is what excites me, to see that come to life against an opponent."

An opponent that Bielema respects.

Alex Mortensen is in his first full year in charge of the Blazers after taking over midway in 2025.

"I'm just super impressed with him as a young coach," Bielema said. "What they've done offensively at that place since he's been there has been pretty impressive. I think we've got a tremendous challenge, especially on the defensive side of the ball."

Next in line

Illinois lost both offensive tackle starters from last season to the NFL. Christian Martin and Nathan Knapik have stepped in.

"They got better every day," Bielema said. "I give Nathan a lot of credit. He had a soft tissue that flared up. It's all calmed down now. He had to miss maybe one day when they told him he was going to miss awhile.

"He's just extremely gritty, tough, one of the biggest weight-gain guys. Not just weight but strength."

Martin, a transfer from Colorado State, added 25 pounds.

"I thought he was a good player a year ago and just steadily kept climbing and grinding," Bielema said.

Jake Renfro takes over at center for longtime starter Josh Kreutz, who was one of the team leaders.

So is Renfro.

"Jake Renfro has been everything I could have asked for and more," Bielema said. "Just a super, high-level football IQ. A great communicator. He gets a little pissy, but he's also very calm."

Job security

Barry Lunney Jr. is starting his fifth season as Illinois offensive coordinator, a long tenure in a business where coaches frequently change jobs.

"He's actually really funny," Bielema said. "He's got a really good edge to him. He's a low-ego guy. He just absorbs knowledge. He's very selfless."

Bielema and Lunney have been spending time the last few weeks discussing options behind locked-in quarterback starter Katin Houser.

"If Katin has a cramp and he's going to miss two series, I think we would throw Carson (Boyd) in there first," Bielema said. "Michael (Clayton II) has had a really good fall camp. And, I'm not saying he's going to play this year, but Dane (Eisenmenger) has been very impressive to me for a guy we signed the way he did."

Wait and see

Bielema isn't quite ready to announce the team's kicker and punter for next Thursday's game.

"I think we know where we're going," he said.

Jack Gray and Lars Rau have been competing to be the starting punter.

"The punter battle has been absolutely awesome," Bielema said. "Jack kind of got here late. I blame (men's basketball coach) Brad (Underwood) because he is getting all these foreign players and the clock filed on waivers over there, 'Come to Illinois.'

"We just tried to get one Australian punter and that took six months," the Illinois coach continued.

Gray has caught up.

"Jack just fit in right away," Bielema said. "I think this group of kickers, punters and snappers is probably as close as I've had here. Punters, I would be surprised if we don't see both of them in the game. And both kickers, to be honest, in some capacity."

The kicker competition is between Ethan Moczulski and Lucas Osada.

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