5 takeaways from the Illinois football spring game, including new coach Bret Bielema’s unofficial starting QB

Shannon Ryan, Chicago Tribune
·4 min read
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For the first time since the end of the 2019 season, Illinois football players competed at Memorial Stadium in front of fans.

A limited number of spectators distanced themselves, many wrapped in blankets on a chilly Monday night. The band and cheerleaders were spread out in a section, adding the sounds absent from most stadiums during the 2020 season, when COVID-19 protocols produced a scaled-back environment.

Illinois’ spring game, which was broadcast live on Big Ten Network, was the first introduction of new coach Bret Bielema in Champaign. It all felt new again to the Illini.

“It was a rush when we ran out of that tunnel,” outside linebacker Owen Carney said. “A feeling I definitely missed. It’s been some time. It was great having (fans) out there. It’s hard to describe, but I loved it out there.”

The Orange team, consisting of first-team players, crushed the Blue team, filled with reserves, 65-15.

Here are five takeaways from the scrimmage.

1. Quarterback Brandon Peters is unofficially the 2021 starter.

Bielema didn’t confirm it, but Peters played with the first team the entire time he was in the game. And Bielema heaped praise on the sixth-year senior quarterback afterward.

“Brandon has continued to be impressive,” he said.

Peters connected on 12 of 18 passes for 291 yards against the reserves, and he threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Khmari Thompson. He also rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and had no turnovers.

He connected with seven receivers, including a 54-yard pass to Donny Navarro and a 33-yard bomb to Brian Hightower.

“Brandon is a guy that since we got here has been a blessing for us,” Bielema said. “He’s a guy that has gotten more and more confident with each and every practice.”

Backup Isaiah Williams completed just 2 of 10 passes for 30 yards, while Matt Robinson and Coran Taylor each threw one incomplete pass. Deuce Spann, who backed up Peters on the Orange team, connected on 5 of 6 passes for 85 yards.

Williams ran seven times for 8 yards.

“I was very pleased with what he was able to do once he got behind that (first-team) offensive line,” Bielema said. “After we get done with 15 practices, we’ll take a deep breath and see where we’re at.”

2. Tight ends were featured.

Luke Ford was more of a target in the scrimmage than he was all last season.

Ford, who transferred to Illinois in 2019 from Georgia, had only two catches for 15 yards in 2020. During the Orange and Blue game, he caught five passes for 88 yards, including a one-handed 16-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.

“I appreciated Luke’s effort,” Bielema said. “I’ve seen his maturity level in everything he’s doing. I really like his demeanor and work ethic. I think he’s concentrating on what’s important now. He’s concentrating on being a good football player. You put in your time and you get rewarded for it. He’s really bought in.”

Tight end Daniel Barker had three catches for 29 yards.

3. The Illini basketball team was honored at halftime.

The Illini basketball team received the loudest ovation of the evening.

The team was honored at halftime for winning the Big Ten Tournament championship during a 24-7 season. A banner that will hang in the State Farm Center was unveiled in the stands.

All-America guard Ayo Dosunmu, who is leaving for the NBA draft, addressed the crowd.

“We had a great time here,” he said. “It was great making history here.”

4. A strong offensive line could open up holes.

Running back Chase Brown was effusive in describing the offensive line.

“They were killing it tonight and opening up massive holes for us to run through,” Brown said. “It just gives me extra confidence.”

The line returns four starters, including three “super seniors” in center Doug Kramer and tackles Vederian Lowe and Alex Palczewski. Sophomore guard Verdis Brown also returns.

Brown led the rushing attack with 80 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Reggie Love III added 63 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, and Chase Hayden picked up 52 yards on seven carries.

“Reggie has been impressive to me,” Bielema said.

5. Bret Bielema is dialing up the fun.

After the Orange team scored a touchdown, Big Ten Network sideline reporter Elise Menaker entered the game in a No. 44 jersey and threw a two-point conversion pass to Barker.

She celebrated with a dance on the field with Illini players after throwing what Bielema described as a “spiral,” although he backed away from calling it a “tight spiral.”

The play was designed to add a wrinkle of fun as Bielema works to add excitement to a program that has struggled with apathetic fans. The game was the only college spring scrimmage held Monday night, putting the Illini in more of a spotlight than if it was on a Saturday.

Illinois went 2-6 last season before firing coach Lovie Smith after five seasons.

“I think there’s a buzz,” Bielema said.