Illinois head coach Bret Bielema spoke with the media in advance of the No. 14 Illini's Week 10 home game vs. Michigan State.
Opening Statement
"I do want to say thanks to our fans that traveled to Nebraska. I didn't get a chance to say it in the postgame presser; there was good amount starting on Friday when we arrived at the hotel and when we walked through the hotel, to the bus ride, and of course after the game, the way they kind of surrounded down in that corner was pretty cool.
"And a special mention for this week, obviously we're getting closer and closer to a full sold-out situation (at Memorial Stadium). I've been told there is a couple thousand student tickets, as well as regular admission. So the more we can make that place, get crazy. And then obviously, I'm not wanting to look ahead at all, as well, but the Purdue game will be a senior game and our last home game of the season. So anybody that wants to get into that mix, we'd love to have you here with us and put a huge emphasis on that.
"Couple medical updates: Josh McCray, I think, he was cleared for the game. A lot of you asked question, I think, coming out of it, he felt good. Talked to him last night. So he'll have a full week of preparation, feel good, where he's at. A couple of our tight ends, Mike Marchese and Tip Reiman both should be cleared and with us here midway through the week, to get where they need to be on Saturday. So from a pure medical standpoint, should be full go on Saturday for Michigan State at 2:30; excited about that, where they're at.
"Continue to see just a lot of good things coming off the field, you know, probably here in the last 24-48 hours between Brett (Moore) and I, have had several people from national awards that a lot of guys on these award lists. So I've developed personal relationships with people that are involved with these and the things they're saying, and the questions are asking … to have four players up for national awards. Obviously, Chase (Brown) for the Heisman just in the last, literally last 24 hours from ESPN and other groups that promote and organize that award reaching out for information, footage, verbiage. It's a positive sign in the right direction. So Chase Brown for Heisman and every other award. I'd scream it as loud as I can. I think he's playing at an extremely high level. And then last week at this press conference, I talked about 'Spoon' (Devon Witherspoon) being announced as a finalist of 12 for the Thorpe. The way he's playing against the competition he just played against, to have a matchup contest him and 'Quan;' (Jartavius Martin) kinda double share against (Nebraska WR Tre) Palmer was really something to watch on Saturday, but really special to watch Sunday on film. Spoon was playing at an extremely high level. And then to have Johnny Newton continue to do what he's doing. I think, this week, the Bednarik Award comes out. And I think that, that those two guys should be on that top 20 list, I hope that comes out to in favor of those two, two guys on the same team playing an extremely high level. And then Palcho (Alex Palzcewski) as well to have the recognition with the starts, but also to be on the Outland trophy watch list is really cool to have four players in that position.
"Our guys will continue to focus on their job. There's nothing we can do about anybody else, except for the ones we have on ones that we coach. Really excited to play Michigan State, obviously, a team that's had some transition this year, from a season ago, but the games they've been in the games. Here as of late, especially in Michigan last week, that was a hard fought game. I know it got a little bit skewed at the end, but two teams battling it out, got a tremendous amount of respect for what they've done. I think the fact that, to go through the success they had last year, and they've had the battles that they're going through this year, I'm sure at the end here is going to get one of the toughest competitions we've had here in our stadium. So, we need everybody there to support us; a lot of really good players, a lot of good coaches and excited about the opportunity for Saturday."
On Second Half Stamina
"I give a lot of credit to our strength and conditioning department. Tank (Wright) and I sat down before the summer even started and made a pretty big decision to really increase the running, the overall conditioning speed. Our players talked about it all summer, everytime I got around them. Mr. Spoon (Devon Witherspoon) being one. He's like, 'Coach this is getting a little bit silly. You've got to have a talk with Coach Wright!' And I distinctly remember that day and I think about the rewards of that now. Tank, I meet on a weekly basis. Kind of a fun day today, actually, yesterday on Sunday, we started an eight week conditioning phase for our development roster. The summer is usually when you have your most gains. So one of the things we do in our program is we actually have two summers the other one starts in January. It's a little bit different right they go through an eight week training program before we start spring ball. But this year because we're afforded the luxury of playing in postseason competition, we added a third summer into our calendar, so we started yesterday with an eight week training program that takes our focus on our devo guys, on a heavy emphasis on developmental lifts on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. It is specifically after our two practice days on Tuesday and Wednesday. So they can really focus on physical development in the weight room. We might ask guys to add 15 pounds, we might ask guys to lose five pounds or 15 pounds. So I think that has a big part of it; what we did during the course of the summer, and then just the way our guys prepare, and the way they take care of themselves. One of our last things, when we walk out the door, is they have to basically put the team first walking out the door. So, the last thing we talk about when they come in the building is put the team first, it's the first thing we talked about when they leave the building. And by that I mean that if you're a guy that's had hydration issues, you need to hydrate more during the evening and before you walk in the building for Tuesday morning practice tomorrow. It may mean that you may need to get two more hours of sleep rather than two more hours of video games in the evening. I think our guys are wired into what we do today not only affects what we do on Saturday against Michigan State, but hopefully, we'll have the same effect when we play Michigan and Northwestern at the end of the year. So a huge awareness factor by our guys, I think to take better care of themselves because they're playing well in the second half for sure."
On Whether He Will Watch The CFP Rankings Show
"No, I won't watch, but I'm sure I'll find out. Brett (Moore) literally updates me to the minute on anything that we need. And I'm sure that with the anticipation of that, they'll have something prepared for me to send out right like whatever we ranked. The only derivative of that is recruiting. It really truly is. Wherever we're ranked tomorrow night hopefully just started where we're going to be ranked. It's great to be a part of, but by no means is at the end. And so Tuesday night is a big recruiting night for me, I'll definitely at 7:30 to 8:00, I usually sit down with Pat Embleton, and we go through whatever host of players we're projecting for next year's roster. I'll go through and watch them all, and that's what I do on Tuesdays."
